Author: Ki McGraw

As we prepared to set out for our longest bike trip yet, fear put on the mask of irritation. We squabbled a bit over the route on the map app. Tones of voice were questioned.

When we got to our destinations 20 minutes later, safety replaced the mask. We each took responsibility for the irritation. We both acknowledged that riding our bikes is the most dangerous thing we do.

Are you able to see beyond irritation to the fear that is underneath? Can you take responsibility for the fear and find your way to safety? Ki to Happiness replaces fear with safety, by wearing helmets, following the rules of the road and recommended bike routes

We got out our wedding albums to share with the students in our morning class. One of the attendees enjoyed remembering with us our grand day. The photos reminded us of 10 more guests who are still in our lives, if at a great distance.

We took our memories with us as we set out to make some new ones. After class we took a bike ride on our anniversary gifts to each other and hung out near a stream in the sunshine. Returning home, we squeezed in some time for intimacy before the evening class.

How often do you look at your old photos? Who do they make you remember that are a great distance? Ki to Happiness remembers the love of all those photographed, whether they are near or far or no longer with us.

Today marks 21st anniversary of our wedding here in Seattle. There were 90 people gathered to celebrate us and support us in upholding our commitments. Only 13 are still with us, as others have passed away, moved on or fallen from our contact in the passage of time.

Our vows concluded with the statement that we intended to uphold them for “as long as possible“. Everyone laughed, as they got the punchline. 21 years later, we are still laughing.

What are you committed to for as long as possible? What support do you need to uphold that commitment? Ki to Happiness needs to thank our community for your support of our wedding vows.

My generation lost one of its icons with the passing of Tina Turner. Her legendary singing and dancing will continue to inspire many more generations to come. Her life story encourages us all to rise above all difficulties and use our talents to the fullest.

Her later years teach us to turn to our spiritual practices in order to face tragedy and loss. Even though she continued to sing rock ‘n’ roll, her Buddhist chanting soothed her soul. I will forever cherish my memories of her from my earliest introduction to Proud Mary all the way thru to her Nichiren Mantra offering.

Whose talents have inspired your whole life? Who’s heroic journey have you followed after? Ki to Happiness keeps rolling on the river like Tina sang.

One of our students in our independent yoga teacher training program has taken a fascination in the posture called Scorpion. He watches us as we kick up onto our forearms, and then allow slow, steady balance to recalibrate our knees bending with the feet approaching the head. Then he attempts to do something similar at the wall for support.

When he’s with us in class, we spot him in the center away from the wall. His delight is contagious. He is doing things with his body he never imagined he could.

Is there something you’d like to do that you don’t think you would be able to? What kind of support might you need in order to practice? Ki to Happiness delights in other’s delight.

While we had a cool cloudy Spring day, my friends on Guam were battening their hatches against Typhoon Mawar. I reached out to them to let them know I am thinking of them and sending them love and support. I recall our times together during the super typhoon Paka in the late 90s, and pray they are spared from such devastation.

Big storms are humbling. They let us know we are not in charge. I am humbled again, simply in recalling the winds that were in excess of the instrument’s ability to record the speed for being broken in the gusts beyond 250mph in that double eye system.

What storms have you weathered? How humbled? Ki to Happiness is humbled by nature’s beauty, softness, and power.

In my time off yesterday I rolled up my sleeves and tackled a neighborhood garbage issue. The community cleanup took place the day before, and, despite my hopes that they would address it, it remained. So I strategized and prepared, and now it is resolved.

As I concluded, soft, gentle rain began. It felt like a blessing from nature. It has washed away all remnants of the debris and detritus.

How do you participate in your community? Do you know your neighbors? Ki to Happiness knows her neighbors appreciate every effort toward improving our community.

Instead of participating in the University District street fair, I wondered if there might be another such event here in our new district. Before I had a chance to ask anyone about that, a new student approached me and invited Hatha Yoga Center to participate in a community social in July. I signed us right up!

Instead of the old adage “ready, aim, fire”, I fired immediately my “yes.”Now I’m starting to “aim” by getting other community members to work our booth and give live yoga demonstrations as they hand out brochures, flyers, schedules and business cards. By the time the event occurs, we will all be ready.

Can you say yes to the synchronicities in your life? Are you able to listen to guidance even when you don’t feel ready? Ki to Happiness acts on synchronicity as it is a message from Higher Guidance.

This weekend, the University District Street Fair will rage on at our old location. For 10 years, we accommodated the noise and commotion of the oldest street fair in our nation. We participated in those days by handing out flyers for classes, giving live demonstrations in our display windows of postures and chanting along with my harmonium even as we conducted classes and our Yoga Teacher Training.

This quiet cool morning here gave me pause to appreciate my deep sleep, undisturbed by street fair’s loud set up. The cats and I heard the birdsongs as dawn broke gentle and pink. The prospect of teaching two well attended yoga classes before conducting a private session in this quiet, clean environment, brings a smile to my lips.

How does noise and commotion effect your ability to practice and serve? Have you had enough time at the fairs in your life? Ki to Happiness is content with no fair in this quiet and clean location for practice and service.

Our heat wave has broken with fresh coolness to start this day. The new moon in Taurus invites us to set intentions for the next month. Letting go of the past challenges, we can make use of what we’ve learned from them and transform that energy into forward progress.

The frustration, anger and hindrances of the last eclipse pattern with Mercury and Pluto retrograde all empower our intention. Honoring and respecting those energies, not denying or minimizing them gives us a starting point for change that integrates our lessons. No need for spiritual bypass when we are comfortable with being uncomfortable.

What have you learned about yourself this last month? How can you put those lessons into your intentions for next month? Ki to Happiness honors and respects all emotions as energy wanting motion and intends to direct it toward peaceful service of the One.