Rich Monday Paper- Living the European Dream
At Rich Monday Paper, we believe in bringing you news that inspires and nourishes the soul. We are not just reporting the good news; we are seekers of meaning, curators of emotions and champions of the untold stories that shape a better world. The European dream is designed to rebuild your confidence in a better society.
Last weeks’ edition looked into what you need to forget so you remember joy. This edition brings you stories of those who live the European dream, those who have lost the American dream and those who are still able to dream. From the entrepreneur who left everything behind to build a new life in Europe, to the artist rediscovering her roots in Lisbon, we bring you the raw, real and deeply human experiences behind the headlines.
We turn our focus to a vision that has shaped generations: the European dream. For centuries, Europe has been at the heart of humanity’s culture, progress and reinvention. It has promised and delivered stability and prosperity, during good and difficult times alike. But today, less than 50 days into the new administration’s tenure in the Oval Office, we watch the American dream fading away. This new geopolitical landscape raises a pressing question: Is the European dream a luxury or a necessity?
For some of us, Europe remains a sanctuary of possibility, where borders, both geographical and digital, open to those seeking a better life. For others, it is an unraveling promise during times when economic disparity, shifting politics and the weight of history challenge the very ideals it once stood for. The question is not just whether you are still able to dream but whether your dream is evolving into something different, something worth pursuing.
Good News: What we love this week
Over the past week, we curated several positive developments in science and health. These developments highlight significant progress in various fields, from space exploration and genetic research to mental health and neuroscience.
- Insights into Obesity’s Neurological Origins: A recent study has provided new insights into the role of the brain as a crucial control center in the development of obesity and type 2 diabetes. The hormone insulin plays a key role in these conditions, highlighting the importance of neurological factors in metabolic health.
- Reduction in Drug Overdose Deaths: For the first time in recent years, drug overdose deaths, primarily from fentanyl, have declined. This positive trend may be attributed to increased interventions and the availability of treatments, reflecting progress in addressing the opioid crisis.
- Identification of a Key Protein in Stress Resilience: Researchers have discovered a protein that acts as a cannabinoid receptor and is present in the brain’s structure, playing a crucial role in resilience to stress. This finding could lead to new therapeutic strategies for anxiety and depression.
EU Focus
The European Dream is being tested. It is no longer just about economic integration or cultural exchange; it is about Securing Our Future , proving that democracy can withstand the pressures of war, disinformation and economic crisis.
It is about showing that a continent built on cooperation can stand firm facing challenges together.
President Ursula von der Leyen joined the leaders’ meeting on Ukraine in London- and said:
We all have understood that after a long time of under investment it is now of utmost importance to step up the defense investment for a prolonged period of time. It’s for the security of the European Union.
On 27 and 28 February 2025, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, travelled to Delhi, in India, meeting with Prime Minister Modi and co-chairs the College-to-Government meeting. EU President Ursula von der Leyen has reaffirmed the European
Union’s commitment to deepening its strategic partnership with India, emphasizing cooperation in trade and technology, security and defence and global connectivity. Speaking during her official visit to India, von der Leyen highlighted the shared values and interests of both regions in tackling global challenges and strengthening economic and geopolitical ties.
The Corner Office Mindset
Kelly Meerbott: Change and Challenges
In this exclusive interview by Darie Nani with Award-winning leadership expert Kelly Meerbott talks about building resilient workplace cultures. Drawing from her work with hundreds of C-suite executives and military officers, Meerbott reveals her trauma-informed approach to preventing burnout
Better Lifestyle Choices
Stress Less
Have you ever walked into a room and felt like everyone else had a right to be there, except you? Feeling inferior isn’t always about what people say to us. More often, it’s about the quiet, everyday habits you unknowingly adopted.
Mindful Eating – Building Your Indoor Garden
Growing strawberries indoors is a rewarding experience that allows you to enjoy fresh, homegrown berries throughout the year. With the ability to control growing conditions, avoid outdoor pests and cultivate strawberries in small spaces, this is an excellent choice for any fruit lover.
Rich Travel Destinations
Thinking of choosing a new destination for your next holiday? Find out if working remotely could be a better choice. There are a few good reasons for it as we explore together the beauty of a borderless life in Europe.
While not everyday is perfect somewhere between the hilltop cafés of Lyon, the medieval streets of Tallinn or the Sky Lagoon in Reykjavik, being a digital nomad isn’t just about destinations but the freedom to design your own life.
Stargazing Tips- This Week’s Best Planetary Wonders in Europe
Planets are aligning! The night sky has something spectacular in store next week! Check a few stargazing tips to observe the latest best planetary wonders in Europe.
Feeling Good and Happy Every Day
8 Secret Wishes Everyone Has But Rarely Talks About
We have more choices than any generation before us—what to eat, where to live, who to talk to, and how to spend every waking moment. And yet, with all this freedom, we are lonelier than ever. Friendship has been replaced with therapy. Conversations have been replaced with texts. Connection has become something we schedule, not something we live. We look into the findings of the 80-year Harvard Study of Adult Development, about happiness.
Sleep as a Remedy for Trauma: Targeted Memory Reactivation
For decades, scientists and mental health professionals have explored the complex relationship between sleep and trauma. The brain, in its most vulnerable state during rest, is also its most malleable—sorting, storing, and sometimes modifying memories. A groundbreaking study from the University of Hong Kong sheds new light on this process, showing how sleep can actively reshape traumatic memories, offering hope for those struggling with psychological distress.
Your Capsule Wardrobe This Week
For a spring capsule wardrobe inspired by Abbey Clancy’s style, focus on elegant basics with modern elements that can be mixed and matched effortlessly. From foundation pieces, statement items to versatile accessories.
We curated a few versatile elements to help you design your Abbey Clancy Spring Capsule. This selection balances Abbey’s signature mix of sophisticated basics with contemporary elements, ensuring versatility while maintaining her polished aesthetic. The pieces work together for both casual daytime looks and more elevated evening outfits. Remember to check the latest Neutral Linen Trench!
The Reading and Writing Room- The European Dream
The European Dream should be required reading on both sides of the Atlantic.
Andrew Moravcsik, Financial Times
The European Dream: How Europe’s Vision of the Future is Quietly Eclipsing the American Dream.
Twenty-one years ago, Jeremy Rifkin, political theorist and visionary spoke of The European Dream, a bold, alternative vision to the American Dream, one rooted in cooperation over competition, social progress over unregulated capitalism and unity over division. Back then, it was just an idea, an ambitious experiment in international solidarity.
But today, in a world increasingly defined by authoritarianism, corruption and war, the European Dream is no longer a luxury. It is a necessity.
As you turn these pages, I invite you to reflect not just on Europe’s dream, but on your own. What does it mean to believe in your dream ? Maybe the European dream was never about success but about the endless pursuit of something better. Much better.
We believe in bringing you news that inspires and nourishes the soul. We are not just reporting events; we are seekers of meaning, curators of emotions and champions of storytelling. We believe your story is worth sharing. The European dream is not just a great vision, but the carrier of something profoundly beautiful and real: Peace.
Do you want to share your story and inspire our readers ? Know that YOUR EXPERTISE is paving the way for a fairer, happier society.
Front Cover Photographer: Dati Bendo EU President, Ursula von der Leyen. Photo credit © European Union, 2025, CC BY 4.0 European Union 27/02/2025
