Author: Ki McGraw

August 1, I started doing 25 push-ups a day. My goal was to contribute 775 of them to the leukemia and lymphoma challenge. Thanks to Bob’s birthday encouraging me to do 25 backbend push-ups, I’ve already met my goal. A day early!

I am so uplifted by the community and the activity that I plan to continue. I use it as a chance to do Bastrika breathing. Cleansing my solar plexus and strengthening my open heart is a great way to start every day!

Have you set any goals lately? What is required to meet them? Ki to Happiness shares the joy of accomplishment.

Being able to learn from other people’s experience saves us from having to make the kind of mistakes that have already occurred. As society changes into something unfamiliar, there are those who are wanting to return to the land, to get away from it all, and live a life of humble sustainability.

Robin Wright’s movie, Land, shows us what that may be like, saving us the trouble. I appreciate her efforts. In gratitude, I land right where I am.

Do you allow yourself to learn from others? Or do you need to learn everything on your own? Ki to Happiness learns and learns.

I spoke with my old friend yesterday. We met in Hawaii nearly 30 years ago. I was fresh from the mainland then. I learned the expression “talk story” from the locals. Sharing the contents of our hearts heals each other from a sense of isolation.

In psychotherapeutic counseling, the professional is to refrain from sharing personal material. Discernment is imperative. Then, a story well lived and shared may be therapeutic.

With whom do you “talk story “? Is it time to reach out? Ki to Happiness looks forward to next time we talk story.

After a year of study, revision, and editing my memoir, my team and I took time for celebration. There were several things as well to commemorate with each of us going through much in the past 12 months.

So refreshing to have a change of scenery and a social occasion. For a couple of hours the encroaching pandemic of fear and control was replaced with deep sharing of life’s significant moments: marriages, divorces, wars, court cases, manuscripts.

Are you current with your celebrations? Can you find a safe way to acknowledge your progress? Ki to Happiness usually celebrates privately.

The plumbing problem in the building is resolved. Bob found the leak from the ceiling in the men’s room to start his birthday celebration. As the events of the day unfolded, I did private sessions and he taught class. Roofers, plumbers, contractors all appeared, turned off the water and worked on it from the roof through our 2nd story all the way to the basement.

Gifts, song, cake, family and friends all offered their cheers. We spent a little time in a nearby park. We laughed out loud when two trike riding lads came by us, ignoring the mature people lying on the grass in the sun. Their interest was in returning to the live hornets nest…

Are you living life to its fullest? Can you delight in the catastrophic duality? Ki to Happiness does so with 25 push-ups and 25 backbend push-ups.

Today is Bob Smith‘s 73rd birthday. Most years he celebrates in Bali while I tend to our Hatha Yoga Center here in Seattle. This year we celebrate together, thanks to the travel restrictions.

Staying home and staying healthy is our lifestyle. That will continue even as we celebrate with yoga practices, and plenty of time with our three cats. Later will have time in nature, and a some vegan cake with our son.

How do you celebrate? Can you adapt to the ever-changing restrictions? Ki to Happiness celebrates Bob Smith, as he chooses.

Nearly a month ago I started the push-up challenge. It seemed impossible at the time. I had minor shoulder surgery in June. When the results of the biopsy returned all clear, I wanted to celebrate by getting stronger.

I offered my efforts to those whose biopsies returned otherwise. At first, I pushed with grief in my heart over the passing of my dear friend. As the month has proceeded, now I push with 150,000 other people. All of them are my new friends.

What is pushing up from inside you? How can you use what you have to benefit others? Ki to Happiness feels love pushing up.

I’ve had many great Michaels in my life. Right now one of them is going through a big transition. Another one is dealing with bilateral brain cancer. And a third is going through a very deep cleansing. None are available to talk with me.

Then suddenly another one reached out today! My IT therapist and old friend sent me a text. He is available and able to talk! I feel the continuity of Archangel Michael coming through him in his timely reaching out to me.

Are you open to those who reach out to you? Or do you shut down when the one you reached out to is unavailable? Ki to Happiness opens up to those here now.

When my squash plants looked like they’d given all they had to give, I pruned them. Removing all the dried leaves and old blooms, there’s room for the tiny fruits of the vine to absorb all the nutrients, water and sunshine.

This morning, there’s a fresh bloom! The orange petals pushed open their green protective jacket. Signs of life, even as autumn is in the air.

In this full moon, can you see signs of life? What can you prune away to discover the possibility? Ki to Happiness deadheads and finds one more bloom!

Today is the birthday of an old love of mine. Yesterday an old friend of my family died. As I began my practice, I felt out of sorts with many memories swirling within.

The structure of my practices allows space for everything to sort itself out. Finding my way to balance and peace, the day begins. I’ll share my love with the world as it unfolds before me.

What do you do with your love when the object of your affection is no longer present? How can you share that love with those who are present? Ki to Happiness finds the way to love.