Author: Ki McGraw

On the surface, the holidays are unfolding with their unusual hybrid characteristics. Deeply within, we each ponder the season. The undertow takes us with it toward what lies ahead in 2022.

At the Hatha Yoga Center, we continue our hybrid classes with the same holiday schedule that we have observed for decades. Deeply within, we are grateful for all of you, dear readers and community members. The undertow of Bob’s recovery takes us toward 2022 with renewed joy on all levels.

What are you aware of on the surface of this holiday season? How are your depths? Ki to Happiness invites you into the undertow of renewal.

With the newness of the moon still upon us, I tackled a huge project yesterday. My husband helped. We weeded through all the old cds/dvds and kept only those few keepsakes. All is digitally available.

Amidst the chaos of sorting, pitching, keeping and recycling, there was a knock at the door. Dear friends arrived to suddenly move our Wi-Fi which has been on our kitchen counter since Covid necessitated live streaming. I made room for change in one area, and another change took over.

What change do you want? What are you willing to let go of to make room for that change to occur. Ki to Happiness makes room.

During these unusual days of the pandemic, with the holidays upon us and my husband recovering from his stroke I am continuing with all practices that support me. In doing so, I find that serving my clients and students grounds me. Cooking and caring for our cats brings joy to our home.

Venturing out to get supplies I found a surprise. Discarded flowers were left in my pathway. At first I walked by them. Then I stopped in my tracks and turned around. Their imperfection befits my altar.

Are you open to receive gifts from the universe? Can you see the signs of grace around you? Ki to Happiness opens like the discarded roses, offering fragrance from my center despite my petals’ imperfections.

Dawn is still sleeping. Yet the sunlight begins to return. Bob sleeps on as well. His light is also returning in a way your can’t see.

Two years ago my dad returned home from his stroke recovery care. His light continues as we celebrate the anniversary of his homecoming. His caregivers have expanded our family.

Can you feel the light returning? When you can’t see it, what evidence do you need? Ki to Happiness feels the light of consciousness enveloping all that the mind can hold.

Bright sunshine made all the difference in our short day yesterday. The moon showed her light all night. These dark days and long nights show us how much we need light.

I made progress in the light. I got outside in it and followed my inspiration, tending to tasks and errands that were less important than the immediate needs. Bob also made progress…he’s recovered enough from his stroke two weeks ago that he could put his contacts in his eyes.

How are you doing in this darkness? Making progress with the light available? Ki to Happiness sees the light within more readily in the darkness.

When I first began participating in social media, I posted a video of Bob vacuuming. It received the most attention of all. The women especially responded as if it was miraculous.

Seeing Bob resume vacuuming yesterday truly is miraculous. Using the vacuum, like his walker or cane, he was thorough, steady, and remarkable. Then he continued walking without any support, just two weeks after his stroke.

When has the mundane seemed miraculous to you? What miracles are you witnessing in this full moon? Ki to Happiness sees miracles in the mundane and the marvelous.

Tonight’s full moon is in Gemini. Our year concludes with this creative influx of energy. It’s a good time to make use of its freedom of expression as you honor the holidays.

This occurs as we start to shift toward the sun sign of Capricorn. It wants systems and traditions. While these two influences may feel disparate, the combination can serve the Total.

What traditions can you free up for a new expression? How can you honor the holiday systems creatively? Ki to Happiness fully embraces the system of yoga with creative expression on each Holy Day.

Today is Rumi’s wedding day. When this poet passed away he reunited with his partner, Shams in the higher realms on this day nearly 700 years ago. He left us with thousands of poems, stirring our souls to meet his, and theirs. Here’s one.

“Where am I going on this glorious journey? To your house, of course.” Now feel with me the magic presence and truth of those brief words. Join me in celebrating this wedding anniversary.

Where are you going? Who will you marry when you exit this realm? Ki to Happiness is “going home to the One who sent me here” as Rumi says in another poem.

I have often felt myself to be like a cruise ship, with several levels. Under water, the keel represents my unconscious, whereas the sleeping quarters, and galley are above. Topside are all those public efforts, like this one. When my disparate activities align with the mast of my higher self, I feel that these levels are heading in the same direction.

My husband’s stroke and miraculous recovery represent for me a sea change. He is different. I am slowing down to adjust course. It feels like I’m dead in the water, as I sniff the wind for guidance as to how to adjust my sails. And yet we are afloat and continuing along our charted course.

Can you slow down to adjust to the changes in your world? What is necessary for you to align with you higher guidance? Ki to Happiness is in shipshape.

After Bob’s first acupuncture session yesterday, he needed to rest. I kept an eye him as he integrated the energetic rebalancing. Then suddenly, he got up and walked on his own.

He was unsteady, and a bit off-balance. Seeing him this way reminded me of my grandmother’s expression, “lean on your own spaghetti.” In her fierce self reliance, she modeled her willingness to stand up and count on oneself, regardless.

How stiff is your spaghetti? How cooked? Ki to Happiness leans on her own spaghetti.