All day long, we’re carried by our inner weather. Joy drifts in. Irritation passes through. Craving, anxiety, fear, boredom—each rises and falls like waves on a long shore, especially during periods of healing and convalescence. Alongside these emotional tides, our minds keep talking: planning, judging, remembering, imagining, replaying. Thoughts and emotions are different currents, but they tangle easily. An anxious thought tightens the chest. A restless body spins a darker story. Soon, we’re not sure which came first—the feeling or the thought—only that we feel swept away. Without much awareness, we ricochet from one inner state to the next. It’s like being a bee in a jar, buzzing from wall to wall, convinced there must be an exit somewhere just out of sight. In Buddhist psychology, this experience is described as identification: becoming caught inside whatever thought or emotion happens to be present. The issue isn’t that thoughts or emotions arise— they’re part of being human. The real challenge is how tightly we cling to them. We grasp at joy, wrestle fear, or mistake an anxious thought for a fact. When that happens, our inner life begins to run us, rather than the other way around. There is another option—one that’s gentle, creative, and surprisingly practical. It’s called positive visualization. Positive visualization isn’t about forcing optimism or pretending life is perfect. It’s the simple, human act of using imagination with intention— quietly picturing yourself moving toward something life-giving: steadiness, confidence, healing, ease. In doing so, you begin to form a different relationship with your inner world. As the Buddha is often paraphrased: “What we think, we become.” When you imagine yourself meeting a challenge with calm, or completing a task with confidence, your nervous system responds as if it’s already happening. The body listens. The mind rehearses. Fear loosens its grip. Possibility opens a door. Modern neuroscience echoes this ancient wisdom. Research shows that imagination is not “just pretend”—it’s a neurological event. As one neuroscientist beautifully put it, imagination can shape the brain and body in ways that truly matter for our well-being. When we visualize, we activate many of the same neural pathways involved in actually doing the thing. New connections form. Old patterns soften.

Today is a real gentle five-minute movement session. Even five minutes can feel like a meditation when we focus on our breath and the movement of the body. This is about showing up and finding simple ways to keep moving, no matter what’s happening. Small, consistent movement adds up.

I wanted to share a couple pictures from my window this morning. Our community brings together so many people from different places and countries - I would love to see the view from your window.

Today we’re building upper body strength and core stability from the back of a chair. A reminder that even when mobility is limited, there’s always something we can do. Small amounts of strength work, done consistently, add up over time. Keep moving in whatever ways you can and build strength that supports you through your days with more ease and confidence.

Today is a gentle seated yoga session. A chance to shift our attention toward what’s in our control. We may not be able to do everything, but there is always something we can do. Move gently, connect to your breath, and bring real awareness and presence to today’s movement.