Solar Power Within

Image of the Sun taken on July 16, 2025 from Central Florida using a Seestar S50 telescope.

On the morning of July 16 around 8:30 AM in Central Florida, I took this photo of the Sun. The sunspots have been particularly active lately due to the Sun being in solar maximum, making the surface look vibrant. What solar maximum means is that the Sun is at the peak of its 11-year activity cycle.  The sunspots are abundant and highly active.  It also means that solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are frequent, although none are pictured in this image.

Naturally my brain decided to connect two seemingly unrelated concepts into one. While working on a worksheet about the Circle of Control for clients, it occurred to me that the Sun’s circular shape makes it a perfect metaphor. Using the Sun as a visual helps illustrate what we can control, what we can influence, and what is beyond our control.

We often talk about stress, burnout, and the feeling of being overwhelmed. One powerful tool in mental health is the Circle of Control, a framework that helps us sort the chaos into what we can control, what we can influence, and what we cannot control. But what if we explored this concept, through the Sun?

Core: What I Can Control

At the center of the Sun is the core, the fiery heart where nuclear fusion takes place. Technically there’s the Core, Radiative Zone and Convection Zone.  But for our purposes, let’s focus on the core. It is where the Sun generates all its energy. Likewise, your personal core is where your true power resides.

This is the space of:

• Your attitudes

• Thoughts and self-talk

• Daily choices

• How you respond to stress (not the stress itself, but your response)

• How you treat others

• The effort you put into your life

These are the things you have direct agency over. Like the Sun’s core, this energy radiates outward and fuels everything else. When you invest in your core through rest, boundaries, values, and intention, you nourish the rest of your world.

Corona: What I Can Influence

Surrounding the core is the corona, the Sun’s glowing outer atmosphere that stretches millions of miles into space. Technically the outer layers consist of the Photosphere, the Chromosphere, the Transition Region and the Corona, but again, let’s simplify this a bit. These layers aren’t the source of energy, but transmit energy, reaching planets, influencing weather, and shaping the solar wind.

This is the realm of influence, not control:

• Your relationships

• Your team or workplace culture

• Collaborative projects

• Community conversations

• The tone you set in a room

Your influence is powerful, but it is not absolute. Like solar wind, it can move others, but not in predictable or guaranteed ways. Influence works best when it flows from a well cared for core.

Outer Space: What I Cannot Control

And beyond the corona? Vast, open space. The unknown. Distant stars, black holes, random meteors, planetary orbits.

This is everything outside your control:

• Other people’s decisions

• World events

• Politics and systems of power

• The past

• The future

• Random events and circumstances

Trying to control these is like trying to command a galaxy. It leads to frustration and emotional exhaustion. But learning to acknowledge what is out of your control and refocusing on what is within your core can be liberating.

Reflection for Your Orbit

Where in your life are you trying to control what is truly out of reach?

What would shift if you refocused on your core energy?

Where can you offer gentle influence instead of forced control?

Just as the Sun does not chase planets or hold onto comets, we too can let go of what is not ours to carry.

Stay grounded. Shine from the center. And trust that your light makes a difference.