Author: Ki McGraw

The winds and rain have subsided. Dry clarity remains as we shift into Mercury retrograde. This is a time for reflecting and reviewing, redoing and renewing. As such, this is my second post about St. Teresa of Avila. May this poem from the 1500s accompany you well, as you continue observing the guidelines in your area.

Laughter Came From Each Brick

Just these two words He spoke changed my life, “Enjoy Me.”

What a burden I thought I want us to carry-a crucifix, as did He.

Love once said to me, “I know a song, would you like to hear it?“

And laughter came from every brick in the street and from every pore in the sky.

After a night of prayer, He changed my life when He sang “Enjoy Me.”

What are you enjoying? Are you aware of where it came from? Ki to Happiness enjoys.

In venturing out, Gale force winds nearly blew me down. Slowly re-opening businesses, I noticed more closures. Between the blasts of wind, I made my way to a favorite local grocery store. Without a long line outside, I made my way in.

Without much entertainment of late, I found the experience to be dazzling. Bright lights, lots of healthy options, nice cheap prices, and a gift card that has been waiting through the whole pandemic for me to use. Delightful to run into one of our beloved community members.

How are you doing in these winds? Are simple pleasures enough entertainment for you? Ki to Happiness is easily amused.

The rains and the winds strengthen. Fall keeps falling. Quietness surrounds our efforts at slowly re-opening. Today’s lesson from A Course in Miracles states “the hush of heaven holds my heart today.”

I feel it—a softening of my efforts into the felt sense of the presence of the One upon all things. A couple of personal and professional issues that have been long-standing are resolving themselves. It’s remarkable to let go into this awareness.

Do you feel it? Can it help you to know that I do? Ki to Happiness shares this so that it may multiply.

Part of the change here as we continue to slowly re-open, includes the lack of community gatherings at the Hatha Yoga Center. On Sundays, after the 1030 class, I have begun to offer a little bit of tea and treats. Observing social distancing, five of us enjoyed vegan seasonal specialties.

“Poison apple” cider, “Slime” pudding and “Graveyard” oatmeal brought the scents and flavors of fall alive. Healthy, and tasty Sunday rituals, imbibed safely after a wonderful yoga class may become part of our New Normal.

What are your favorite ways to serve? Are you finding new rituals to soothe? Ki to Happiness serves it Up!

Thich Nhat Hanh (Thay) is 94 today! This Zen master continues to inspire the world with his simplicity and devotion. Such teaching is especially important in this time as we continue to safely reopen businesses.

“ Learning to live each moment of our daily life deeply, in mindfulness and concentration, is the practice.” That’s words ring true today, and everyday.

How mindful are you in your daily life? Are you learning to concentrate in the present? Ki to Happiness practices deeply.

Soft rain is falling. This season reminds us to let go. Release the past. Appreciate the present. Especially as we continue to observe the restrictions in our areas, so businesses can slowly reopen. Letting go of other autumns, this one offers striking beauty.

The shiny streets, green leaves, some redorangegold all refreshed, clean air, hungry birds, soft Earth, blanketed with fallen foliage all signal the senses. The cycle is upon us! Flow with the soft rain.

Have you gathered all your nuts? Where’s your raincoat? Ki to Happiness delights in the seasonal shifts.

Continuing to observe the guidelines in our area, there’s been quite a bit of new activity. New openings, along with plenty of closures, even as we continue to persevere as we are. Our commercial building is starting to fill up with new renters. Space has become available as others have left.

In our alley, there has been a homeless woman living for over a year. I have been friendly to her, leaving her little practical gifts. Just two days ago I saw her, on another corner, attempting to sell her artwork. Now, she’s gone. Her tent and pallet are removed.

How are you with the new comings? And the goings? Ki to Happiness remains steadfast while change swirls about.

We continue observing the requirements in our areas as Thich Nhat Hanh finds his way back to eating! The world leader, and Zen master, has begun again. Soon, it will be his 94th birthday. Looks like he’s going to make it.

I share this good news, so it can multiply. Yesterday, those of us who read this blog post, also considered beginning again. I certainly made every effort. This day offers that invitation, too. As does each dawn.

How has your day started? Can you open to the invitation to beginning again? Ki to Happiness welcomes each dawn.

In this environment of slowly re-opening businesses, yesterday I hit a wall. The credit card hack of last week has rippled through my automatic accounts requiring that I track them down and straighten them out. That revealed further problems which got the best of me.

Today I begin again. Recognizing much progress was made, I focus on that, and let go of the rest. I am able to see that these challenges have been necessary. Ultimately, there is movement forward.

Have you hit any walls? How gracefully can you begin again? Ki to Happiness starts fresh.

As we continue to respect our local guidelines, elsewhere a brave monk awaits his exit. Loved by millions, Thich Nhat Hanh showed the way to enlightenment through forgiveness. The atrocities of the Vietnam war left an enormous wound between our countries as well as elsewhere. His simple and deep guidance has shown the way for many.

His followers lovingly referred to him as Tai. He has had his last meal. He prepares for the exit, surrounded by loving appreciation and respect. He may last until his 94th birthday, 11/11. Or not. His well lived life is an example for us all.

How prepared are you for your exit? What needs to be healed so that your rest will be in peace? Ki to Happiness sends loving appreciation to Tai for all the encouragement and guidance, inspiring generations.