Author: Ki McGraw

While parts of the country are having record-breaking heat, we are setting records for lowest high temperatures. Crisp air with chilly precipitation refresh our plants and trees. It lets us prepare for what is coming.,

There will be higher temperatures and more summer weather here, but this Fall preview brings us blessings. We are invited to reflect on our summer and make sure we’ve done all we intended. In doing so, we can adjust our plans to align with Life on Life’s terms.

Do you embrace the weather conditions in your environment? Can you align or do you resist? Ki to Happiness aligns, accommodates and accepts, changing herself serenely, growing in wisdom.

After Bob’s birthday weekend, I scheduled some self care. My chiropractor is happy with my structural progress so we’ve planned our path forward for maintenance. My Ayurvedic doctor administered shirodhara, relieving stress and calming my nervous system.

He applied warm herbally infused oil onto my head and feet first. He then began the application of flowing oil onto my third eye for a long time. The resulting images, visions, dreams all gave me access to otherwise unconscious material for me to process consciously.

 How do you take care of yourself after serving others? What does self-care mean to you? Ki to Happiness boosts the self-care of daily yoga practice with Ayurvedic and Chiropractic care.

Bob’s birthday filled him with delight. Well attended classes, followed by gifts and treats with students from every decade of his instruction brought joy and celebration. Better than 76 trombones, 76 postures and 76 rolls on the mini basketball indulged him in his favorites.

A couple of surprise visitors required Bob to bring out his old scrapbooks. He shared pictures of his youth in his “family of the year”as he won the hoop shoot contest in 1958. New pictures and memories are recorded digitally for future sharing.

How would you celebrate 76 years on the planet? What could be better than 76 trombones? Ki to Happiness takes 76 free deep breaths in the afterglow.

Today is Bob Smith‘s 76th birthday. Hatha Yoga Center is ready to welcome all who wish to join him for his morning classes. Immediately following, we will celebrate him with treats and time together.

My efforts of cleaning and cooking, cutting his hair and attending to details have all been done with love. Bob inspires me as he continues to progress in his life long immersion in the yoga of his understanding. His dedication, especially post stroke, encourages us all to persevere and serve the One in All.

What inspires your practice? Whose dedication encourages yours? Ki to Happiness honors those who persevere.

Walking down the street the other day, I had a keen sense that good news would be coming. It has come, which reinforces my sense of being in tune with life’s flow. I’m using this reinforcement to persevere on the path ahead.

Bob is not aware of some of my efforts. That’s OK, he doesn’t need to know that there are lots of people about to arrive for his birthday tomorrow. He knows all he needs to as he experiences my overflowing joy.

Have you experienced a glimmering? In what ways do you receive validation that you are in tune with life’s flow? Ki to Happiness grows in faith that all will be well with surrender into Divine Will. 

Bob saw someone sitting on our deck. He went out to investigate, anticipating someone trespassing. What he found was his own flesh and blood in the form of his son stopping by unexpectedly for a visit.

I heard their voices talking outside and came to check it out. In delight, we embraced and they came inside. They thoughtfully waited til I invited them in so as not to disturb my resting. 

Do you appreciate unexpected visitors? Can you appreciate them and their sense of timing? Ki to Happiness welcomes Jai as if he were her own flesh and blood.

Students checked in during last evenings class feeling afraid. The political circumstances have lots of folks on edge. Division in our land continues to widen, even as efforts are being made to united us.

Fear in all its forms is a call for love. Offering love to my students brought them into a space of greater safety. Being able to take that safety with us allows us to be our own portable safety zone.

Can you find safety within yourself? What love would you do so? Ki to Happiness calls for Love to replace all fear.

As we near Bob Smith’s 76th birthday, I’ve been preparing. It’s not a one-day event with cake and ice cream, but a season of festivities. I started by making Pluot Crisp and Vegan Chocolate Chip cookies.

While he munched on the cookies, he let me know how much he appreciated the special crisp with his favorite fruit. We’ve planned an outing on Friday and a community gathering following his classes on Sunday. Next week we’ll meet our newest family member at the Aquarium for her 1st birthday, another Virgo!

Can you offer Bob a birthday greeting? How would you celebrate a 76 year old yoga teacher who’s been dedicated to the path for over 50 years? Ki to Happiness prepares.

Dawn slumbers behind the veil of clouds. Drizzle sprinkles our world with freshness. The cats and I watch, sniff and internalized the rain blessing us now.

i’m sure we will still do sun salutations in classes today. My early-morning practice feels more like a salutation to the blessing that come with the rains returning. Moisture cleans and rehydrates us all as we slowly turn toward Autumn, washing away the heat and smoke of Summer.

Do you cling to summer? Can you receive the blessings of the rain? Ki to Happiness soaks up the blessings raining down on us.

As I returned from an errand, a huge gust of wind blew. I hurried to secure our A-board signage and protect vulnerable container plants on our deck. At the end of our cul de sac, I saw a downed powerline and got close enough to hear it crackling.

 I called 911 and calmly reported it. Soon enough, the firetruck came and cordoned off the downed wire until Seattle City Light took care of it. With them on the job, we gratefully rested safe and secure.

How often do you call 911? Can you do so calmly, relaying the important data without drama? Ki to Happiness calmly calls for help when necessary.