Author: Ki McGraw

Santosha is the Sanskrit word for contentment. In yoga practice we learn to choose it instead of other ways of being. Letting go of attachment to unmet desires releases us to choose well.

I like to think of it as putting on clothes. I could wear my old baggy pajamas and my stained and torn sweatshirt. Or I could put on something lovely that feels good and is uplifting to me and others who might see me.

To what unmet desires are you attached? Are you willing to release them? Ki to Happiness chooses to put on Contentment.

Driving from my yurt 4 hours south to check on my brother and his healing, I had a sudden urge to pull over. I didn’t need a bathroom stop, or anything to eat or drink. I tried to disregard the impulse. Instead, I followed guidance.

After a few minutes walking about in the sun on the grass at the edge of the woods of the rest stop I resumed my trip. A couple of minutes down the road, traffic came to a full stop. When we resumed a crawling pace the jack knifed semi truck in the meridian became visible. Emergency vehicles were heading toward the tragedy, requiring extraction of the driver. If I hadn’t pulled over at the exact moment I did, I would have been a part of the disaster, not just a witness.

Are you willing to follow guidance? What tragedies have you been saved from for doing so? Ki to Happiness thanks the Guides and Guardians.

Like the rental car angel who eased my travel stress, my dad’s new home health care aid is a cat person. So am I. Establishing this basic aspect of personalities allows us to communicate easily with one another.

When we share a deep value, that mutual love gives us an easy bond. We become team members. Here, our team joins on behalf of my dad‘s well-being. Breath coaching and stretching actively involved us all.

Who are your people? What is the value that bonds you together? Ki to Happiness is on your team if you are alive.

It may be a mistake flying around at this time. COVID stress, mechanical problems, long lines, all contribute to the feeling. Seeing my folks one more time will make it worthwhile.

Despite all of my efforts towards strength, flexibility and balance, I became stressed, anxious and impatient. I was not alone in that. So did the other 184 passengers. Talking with a couple of them in line helped diminished it a bit. Reaching out for greater assistance also helped a lot.

Have you been making mistakes lately? Are you getting better at making good ones? Ki to Happiness makes the best mistakes she can.

As I prepare to board my flight, I keep my commitments to the challenges I’ve been doing. Squatting with my 16pound cat, Padma is good for both of us as well as the cause of bringing attention and donations to National Breast Cancer Federation.

Squats go up and down. Just like life. Mountains and valleys. Like the breath. Inhale and exhale. Requires strength, flexibility and balance. Thank Goodness for yoga helping all these attributes stay at the ready.

Do you know squat? Are you good with the up or down? Ki to Happiness knows squat.

“All of this is full. All of that is full. When fullness is taken from fullness, fullness remains.”I share this Vedic prayer with you on this full moon day.

I feel this fullness today. I am full of gratitude and love. I am living out my heart’s calling. I cherish the reflection from the moon, showing me I’m full of It.

How is this full moon treating you? Are you living in accordance with your calling? Ki to Happiness shares fullness from the infinite supply.

We didn’t smell the smoke or see the blaze. We heard the sirens and looked out the window. We saw the fire truck coming our way. It didn’t divert its path.

We put on jackets to go see what the problem was so we could safeguard our cats and our possessions if necessary. Three firemen ran with their equipment to the back of our building. They put out the fire and secured the building. We thanked them and the neighbors who called 911. They said there’d been 4 other dumpster fires arsonists set in the past hour one block away.

How is the social unrest manifesting in your area? How safe are your pets and possessions? Ki to Happiness is safe and grateful with healthy cats.

We went out yesterday into the bustling University District. Husky’s fans were partying pregame and dense traffic clogged the streets. Parking in an old lot we once regularly used resulted in a $55 ticket.

Instead of lashing out at my partner for having directed me to his chosen spot, I took responsibility for my following his lead. Once back home we sat together, computing the payment we split.

How are you responding to the greater activity in your area? Can you overcome your reactions better after so much time homing your skills? Ki to Happiness breathes into the heart’s response.

Today is my dear friend’s birthday. I mentioned him in July as he exited his body due to COVID. Just as I journaled about him this morning, my altar candle extinguished itself. I sat in darkness, feeling his presence.

His energy continues. My love for him does too. I am forever blessed to have known him, and to have opened to receive his sweet simple innocent companionship.

Have you lost someone due to Covid? Can you feel their energy continuing? Ki to Happiness reMembers what Continues.

Thank you dear readers! I so appreciate your eyes on my daily efforts to let you know that I’m out here, practicing yoga, writing. These activities affirm my life.

I share with you the little things I do. I encourage you to reflect on the little things you can do to help yourself feel whole. Sometimes when I have challenges with technology surrounding these offerings, I drop back into the awareness that it’s all worth it, so you may find non-technological ways do you love your life.

What have you done this morning that is life affirming? What might you do later on today to help you feel alive and whole? Ki to Happiness writes and practices yoga.