Author: Ki McGraw

I went to church with mom. The reading was all about inclusion of diverse peoples. We sang and embraced one another as well as the message.

Today is the feast day of Saint Mary Magdalene. While there are different accounts of her story, the overarching message one of inclusion. Like on the yogic path, all are forever welcome to rise above differences and unite with Light and Love.

Can you put aside differences? Are you willing to align with a higher principle? Ki to Happiness aligns with All in Light and Love.

Today the sun moves from the sign of Cancer into the sign of Leo. This occurs with the full moon, bringing lots of energy (Leo) and feelings (Cancer). The heart may especially feel this fullness as it is the physical representation of Leo.

My heart is full of gratitude for this family visit, which we’ve shared with plenty of friends. My grateful heart appreciates those who have assisted me in taking this trip, covering my classes, tending cats, adapting schedules, and all my invisible helpers paving the way for this day. I share this fullness with you, dear readers, and wish you the same.

How full is your heart today? For what are you grateful? Ki to Happiness is grateful for all that has led up to this present moment.

We went out for dinner, just the two of us, to our favorite restaurant. We were the first ones in, and had the place to ourselves. Slowly, the restaurant filled up with lots of other diners.

Mom shared several juicy stories with me as we enjoyed our meal. The other diners became louder to the extent that it was hard to hear her. As we returned home, mom continued with her stories so I could suck all the juice out of them.

Do you relish the stories of your elders? With repetition do you become bored, or more riveted on every detail? Ki to Happiness listens to absorb the wisdom.

When mom returned from her grief group, she offered me the Hawaiian reconciliation process known as ho’oponopono. I readily joined her in reciprocating. This morning, my eyes open wider to behold a world where such miracles occur naturally.

“I’m sorry. Forgive me. Thank you. I love you.”These four statements restore goodness. Uttering them to the living or the deceased frees oneself.

What relationship would benefit from this process in your life? Are you willing to utter these words and free yourself? Ki to Happiness freely forgives as her primary function in alignment with all spiritual teachings.

Today, my mother and I will go to her hair salon. Her stylist, Jerry, is like a family member. It’s one of our few mother daughter rituals we enjoy.

I’ll pack a lunch for us to enjoy picnic style there. I’ll surrender my locks to him as he does what he thinks is best this time. So far, he’s been keeping me with a kitty cut, letting it get longer and longer like I wore it when I was 19.

What rituals do you love with your family members? Are you willing to detach from the outcome? Ki to Happiness loves ritually detaching from outcome.

Leaving mom‘s birthday celebration trip, she handed me the key fob to her car. She asked me to drive in the rainstorm 3 hours back home. I agreed to, despite my unfamiliarity with her car, having never been behind the wheel of any of her vehicles.

Rain monsooned down on us, with strong winds threatening to blow us into the semi trucks as we hydroplaned around construction. I worked with my breath through the storm, prolonging my exhalation with each breath until we returned. After we parked, I took an immediate walk in the woods to get the tension and trauma out of my body.

What helps you face the storms in your life? Can you release trauma and tension or do you hold on to it? Ki to Happiness releases tension with yogic breathing and walking.

As we set out on this spontaneous birthday trip for Mom, we noticed she needed attention for her fingernails. Girlfriend Anita dashed out to get polish remover and a fresh color. When she returned with the supplies, mom’s assistant Kelsie took one of her hands and I took the other as we got to work.

Mom sat back reveling in the attention. Then the pampered miss drove us all the way to our hometown, smiling at her new pale pink polish. She loved it and everything else as she ate her birthday cake at the end of an adventurous and memorable celebration in the home of our dear family friends.

What pampering would you love? Can you give it to your elders? Ki to Happiness gives and in doing so also receives.

Seeing Mom light up at the prospect of taking a road trip, we pivoted toward making it happen.  She hasn’t been back to our hometown since Dad’s decline began to take priority over ten years ago. My girlfriend goes with us and another girlfriend and husband will join us for dinner.

When dad passed away, Mom thought it might take her about five years before she’d be ready to take a road trip. A year and a half later, she is already ready. Her memories will be stimulated as we make new ones celebrating her birthday. 

How readily can you change plans? Can you pivot toward delight? Ki to Happiness makes new memories.

My brother and I had just arrived at our Mother’s home for her birthday celebration. Our flowers and balloons were received with joy and gratitude. We sat visiting about the trip and had our pizza dinner then Mom turned on the news.

We witnessed the live assassination attempt on the former President immediately, before mom could change the channel. For the next hour, multiple reactions rippled through the crowd, the reports, and our small family. Overall, I respond with a call for peace in myself and extend it outward to my sphere of influence. 

How did you react to the news? Could you find your way to your peaceful heart? Ki to Happiness moves through multiple reactions to respond with peace.

After two nights at my girlfriend’s sweet home, I will depart for my mom’s celebration. My brother joined us for dinner last night and he’ll drive us today from St.Louis 3 hours to East Central Illinois. The familiar route is a pilgrimage through my history.

Completing the first leg of this journey, I feel tremendous gratitude. I had an hour and a half yesterday that actually felt like vacation, wearing my bikini out in the sun and playing in the water at the local community center. It reminds me of all of my time swimming and having fun in the sun.

What activities make you feel like you are on vacation? What childhood fun stays with you in your adulthood? Ki to Happiness’ love of yoga and swimming stay with her in all legs of life’s journey.