Author: Ki McGraw

As we near Bob Smith’s 76th birthday, I’ve been preparing. It’s not a one-day event with cake and ice cream, but a season of festivities. I started by making Pluot Crisp and Vegan Chocolate Chip cookies.

While he munched on the cookies, he let me know how much he appreciated the special crisp with his favorite fruit. We’ve planned an outing on Friday and a community gathering following his classes on Sunday. Next week we’ll meet our newest family member at the Aquarium for her 1st birthday, another Virgo!

Can you offer Bob a birthday greeting? How would you celebrate a 76 year old yoga teacher who’s been dedicated to the path for over 50 years? Ki to Happiness prepares.

Dawn slumbers behind the veil of clouds. Drizzle sprinkles our world with freshness. The cats and I watch, sniff and internalized the rain blessing us now.

i’m sure we will still do sun salutations in classes today. My early-morning practice feels more like a salutation to the blessing that come with the rains returning. Moisture cleans and rehydrates us all as we slowly turn toward Autumn, washing away the heat and smoke of Summer.

Do you cling to summer? Can you receive the blessings of the rain? Ki to Happiness soaks up the blessings raining down on us.

As I returned from an errand, a huge gust of wind blew. I hurried to secure our A-board signage and protect vulnerable container plants on our deck. At the end of our cul de sac, I saw a downed powerline and got close enough to hear it crackling.

 I called 911 and calmly reported it. Soon enough, the firetruck came and cordoned off the downed wire until Seattle City Light took care of it. With them on the job, we gratefully rested safe and secure.

How often do you call 911? Can you do so calmly, relaying the important data without drama? Ki to Happiness calmly calls for help when necessary.

Big energy is upon us, which may have inhibited your sleep last night. There won’t be another super blue moon like this until 2037. Making good use of the energy, set your sites on your truest desires for manifestation.

As an Aquarian, my lifelong heart’s desire is for all of us to get along and help each other. In my early years, I had to learn how to get along with myself. In my later years. I extend my inner cooperation, tolerance and acceptance to others especially when there’s lunar assistance. 

What is your lifelong heart’s desire? Can you envision it manifesting today? Ki to Happiness imagines love, harmony and beauty uniting us all in kindness, respect and compassion.

Our neighbors have left. They pulled out in their big U-Haul just after delivering their dog to its next caregiver. I’m glad to have witnessed responsible pet owners insuring their pet’s care as they needed to move on due to unforeseen circumstances.

Kennels and rescues are filled with abandoned pets. One in our neighborhood recently got shut down for atrocious conditions, for which the owner got arrested and all animals removed. I gifted our departing neighbors some travel funds in gratitude that they spared one from that fate.

 How gracefully can you adapt to unforeseen circumstances? Can you act responsibly about what will no longer fit in your new circumstances? Ki to Happiness responsibly adapts to changing conditions, doggonit.

As yesterday morning’s class began, a student entered with a fresh injury. I administered first aid when a knock came at the door. I attended to the interruption which resulted in my getting the phone number for our neighbor who is about to move abroad, necessitating he find someone to take his dog.

I welcomed in one new student in from Texas, collected the first aid supplies and started the live stream to start class. It felt like a full service yoga studio, responding to all the needs presented. Ointments, bandaids, dog care, together with asana, pranayama, meditation followed by a private session all are a part of what is required on any given day at HYC.

What kind of full service do you need? Where can you get it? Ki to Happiness offers whatever we have to serve our beloved community.

I had long and meaningful conversation with an old dear friend. She had spoken at length with my brother the night before. We all went to the same high school together, although we didn’t spend much time together then.

She and I made up for it over the years: living together, traveling together, sharing resources. When my brother’s retina detached, she extended herself on my behalf and took him to appointments in their city. They have become friends, which makes her even more dear to me.

What endears a person to you? What matters most in friendship? Ki to Happiness shares her dear friendship with her brother, reinforcing both relationships.

I had some extra free time yesterday for the first time in a very long time. I noticed my mind wandering towards self doubt. lacking confidence with some of my new activities. and the edge of tears for fears in this unfamiliar territory.  I didn’t want to continue in that direction.

In an effort to turn around my energy, I faced my fears, companioned myself and chose to focus my attention on the present reality. Before I knew it, I was cooking a fabulous meal, walking in the gorgeous afternoon, petting my cats, playing guitar and singing. My fears transformed into safety and joy.,

When your energy is heading in the wrong direction, how do you turn it around? Are you willing to take responsibility for yourself in that way? Ki to Happiness “throws the weight on the other side” as guided by the Yoga Sutras, by choosing where to put attention.

Playing with the name of this month, I’m highlighting the awesome weather we’ve been having lately. Early autumnal crispness is in the morning air as a few leaves turn color and lots of blossoms continue to grace our humble garden. 

There will be other hot days, so this beauty is simply a foreshadowing of what will come.  Without resisting it or pushing it, simply appreciating it for what it is me brings me into a state of awe.  Geraniums, zinnias, marigolds, together with lingering glads and dahlia buds all are counted among the blossoming blessings as a few red maple leaves let go of the summers hold.

What brings you into a state of awe? Can you shift into that awareness at will? Ki to Happiness counts her blossoms.

Bob has been conducting Sunday morning Hatha Yoga classes at HYC since 1977. It’s a pleasure to attend and practice with him in this capacity. Yesterday there was a brand new student practicing right along with others who have 40 + years experience.

Since we didn’t have a community gathering afterwards, Bob and I enjoyed our smoothies, and rested We had plans for the afternoon, but decided to have a simple Sunday at home. Using our free time to clean up and prepare for a new week concluded with the closing ceremonies of the Olympics.

 How comfortable are you with changing plans? When your energy wants to simply stay home, can you follow that guidance? Ki to Happiness welcomes the new week of classes, clients and self care.