Author: Ki McGraw

Today we celebrate the birth of our three cats. Paca, Padma and Paka are 8 years old today. Their companionship has softened many of life’s edges for us and the whole HYC community.

We will celebrate with special food and extra grooming. There will be many cat postures, like every day. Overall, we will rise above the devastating news of the morning in which we learned that there was a shooting at Bite of Seattle as we continue in peace and pray for others.

 Can you allow yourself to practice cat posture today? When there is tragedy, how soon can you find your way to peace? Ki to Happiness chooses peace, joy and healing with my cats showing me the way.

When we lived in the university district, one of the pizza parlors used to toss out extra slices at the end of their shift. I’d walk by in the morning and seeing the discarded food, stop to tear it up. Murders of crows would swoop down together for breakfast.

Walking in our neighborhood yesterday, I saw a whole pizza in its box discarded. Another half pizza in a separate box required shredding. I carried it back to distribute it for our local murder. This morning they are having a pizza buffet, with just the right size bites.

Do you help to clean up your neighborhood? How do you care for the other animals in your area? Ki to Happiness cleans and feeds wherever she goes.

I’ve returned to my sweet home in Seattle where my husband, cats and yoga class greeted me. I unpacked so the cats could smell all the contents of my luggage as class continued. Bob and I checked in, following up on our daily emails to bring me current.

I slept deeply, unsure of where I was upon awakening. Gratitude practice kicked in before I opened my eyes or got oriented. Cats joining me let me know exactly where I am, home with these furry friends and family.

What practice kicks in on its own? What helps you orient? Ki to Happiness orients with gratitude which anchors me Here and Now.

Now that Mercury has gone direct, and the beneficial Barbeau’s basket is upon us, my return trip is secured. I’m all checked in for my flight and my rental car return is confirmed. This successful trip concludes and I am happy to return to my world.

My daily practice has sustained me again. I’m healthy and harmonious with all my relations. I’ll exit from these friends, family members and cats to be reunited with my friends, family members and cats in Seattle.

What practices travel with you? What remains constant even as you change location? Ki to Happiness breathes consciously with her head held high and her heart set on the Everlasting, EveryWhere, EveryWhen.

As I exited my yurt, I learned about the tragic overdose death of one of our extended community members. I shared it with my very alive mother in her house as her assistant arrived, both free from addiction. Together we offered a prayer for the departed as we recommitted to life.

The Upanishads refer to the line between life and death as a razor’s edge. Each breath we take in gratitude keeps us on the Life side of that edge. I left the driveway, breathing in gratitude for my life, my mother’s life and her helper’s as I drove to St.Louis, where my friends and brother and their cats all reinforced our life and lifestyle choices.

Do your choices support your will to live? What changes could enhance your lifestyle? Ki to Happiness changes fear into love with each grateful conscious breath.

On my last full day here with Mom, we shared another slice of cake with two friends. Mom decided to have a little rest afterward as I packed. When she got up, she was revived enough to go grocery shopping for her first time since March 4 when her medical needs arose.

Witnessing Mom regain independence, healing, and continuing to serve as she does in her way encourages many others. In addition to getting the items on her grocery list, she also wanted to pick up flowers for someone else’s birthday. That birthday girl received the lovely cyclemen, grateful for mom‘s generosity, as well as her rebounding health.

Can you be thankful for your independence? When you are able, who do you serve? Ki to Happiness serves the One in All, grateful for the independence with which to do so. 

As this trip winds down, I had a need to shuffle my schedule. I couldn’t see clearly what these days would entail before they arrived. Fortunately, all has been able to accommodate reality.

As I begin to pack my bags, there’s more room in my bags without all the party items and gifts for Mom. Instead, I have lots of photos and new memories of our fabulous time together. i’m already beginning to look at my schedule for next trip, even as I know that it also may need to shift as reality continues to present itself.

How flexible is your schedule? How much grace is required for you to accommodate reality? Ki to Happiness changes what she can, accepts what she cannot and grows wise in the process, through Grace.

We attended Mom‘s Presbyterian Church yesterday. The biblical story from Daniel about Nebuchadnezzar’s conversion reminded us that witnessing miracles changes the heart. Seeing the faithful face disaster with conviction evolves us.

The humble servant of the church who delivered the message applied it to her own life. She described how her faith didn’t spare her from disaster, but joined her in facing it. The outcome strengthens faith, and redirect us all to seek what we are looking for from within.

What miracles have you witnessed? What strengthens your faith? Ki to Happiness has faith that Guidance will join with me in facing whatever comes.

After touring the newly rehabbed Catholic Church with one of Mom‘s friends, I went to a small birthday celebration. It was held at a nearby tavern called Trust Me.  Both are equidistant from Mom‘s home and represents some of the limited options of Mossville.

Returning, I presented Mom with one of the little Jesus statues given to me by one of the birthday guests. It sits by the others on mom’s mantle which she got from her doctor’s office. Together with religious and spiritual icons from all paths, I placed another one and lit my candle as I sat for yoga practice.

Who do you trust? What symbolizes that trust to you? Ki to Happiness trusts the Higher Power, who Guides me wherever I go.

As we enter the beneficial astrological basket, we make use of the energy catapulting us forward. Mars sextile Saturn propels us into our choices. De-escalation from aggression, bullying, taking sides, or ganging up on others demonstrates that those efforts are ineffective and no big deal.

Calming oneself with practices and prayers, perspective is gained. Every effort toward harmony and unity helps All. Taking action in peaceful purpose as intended requires attention, and focus with persistence, consistence and gratitude daily, like every day, no big deal.

What big deal would you like to de-escalate? Can you use the energy to proceed with purpose toward the One? Ki to Happiness chooses peace, saying “no big deal” to those who would attempt to disrupt it.