Author: Ki McGraw

I returned from my dental cleaning appointment on my e-bike. My chosen route ran me right into Bob as he was beginning to take his afternoon walk. The impromptu rendezvous brought big smiles to both of our faces as we greeted one another.

I shared with him some of my impressions of having returned from our old neighborhood. Piles of trash stinking up the alleys, a lot of broken out windows boarded up after the most recent rampage of one drug addled vagrant, security guards and measures to protect the banks and businesses all made us more grateful for our present location. The joy of running into one another overshadowed all of those descriptions.

What’s it like when you return to your old neighborhood? How grateful are you for where you are now? Ki to Happiness appreciates the gift of the joyous rendezvous with my partner especially as we reflect on our good fortune of being here now, leaving the past behind.

My bank recently sent me a couple of booklets in the mail. On the outside, they said enclosed were all the changes coming. I felt a stress reaction, still leftover from the COVID lockdowns when our society closed down all but essential businesses.

Instead of further stressing myself by reading the booklet or going in to speak with my bank, I simply called. In less than a minute, I was completely reassured that the changes will not affect me at all. Together with my familiar bank representative, we wondered why waste so much paper, planned to recycle it, and breathed freely, healing a bit more from the trauma of March 2020.

What stress challenge are you facing? How can you best meet that challenge without making it any worse? Ki to Happiness heals and evolves with assistance to meet stress.

One of our students reached out with our problematic housing situation. He is repulsed by his roommate. With a history of physical violence, he’s afraid of what he might do. 

I suggested he attend class. With a healthy body and a clear mind, his emotions calmed down. Choosing yoga practice gave him a chance to see that he is free to choose again: different living situation, roommate, hours at work, extra job, whatever it takes to live peacefully. 

What empowers you to choose again? With calm emotions, a clear mind and healthy body what choice is preferable? Ki to Happiness chooses yoga practice again and again.,

In the stillness after the wind storm, it’s time to clean up. Tree limbs came down, and some of our container flowers need TLC. I moved some back out of the elements to give them a chance to stabilize.

I washed and swept away dirt from one of the containers that fell over in a gust. Feeding the birds, I shooed away the marauding neighbor Siamese cat to protect our winged friends. These activities as a steward of the Earth help me feel part of nature.

What helps you feel part of nature? Do you recognize yourself as a steward of the Earth? Ki to Happiness does her part to clean up after the storms of life.

Our power flickers as I practice yoga. A big wind knocked over our hydrangea and sent the cats flying from the windowsill. Our juncos boldly showed up for breakfast only for their seeds to scatter before they could get any.

Having survived three category five hurricanes and typhoons, I often have PTSD symptoms in these conditions. Today, I simply closed the windows and continued my practices. Another deep level of healing reveals itself.

What lets you know of your deep healing? What triggers have you overcome to remain peaceful in the face of challenges? Ki to Happiness witnesses calm responses to situations that once caused stress reactions.

I taught yesterday for the first time without my wrist wrapped. I removed the kinesiology tape in my bath and cleaned the area well from any remaining adhesive. With out any swelling, I felt confident that I could proceed cautiously without retaping.

My healing has been slow, one step at a time. This step felt natural and undramatic. This morning, there is no negative consequence so I will continue, unwrapped.

Can you take all the time you need for healing? Are you willing to proceed cautiously as you experiment? Ki to Happiness takes time and experiments. 

Around here, we call this new month Junuary. This day dawns cool and moist. Birds chirp their warning that a raccoon is on the hunt. 

The cats are riveted to the scene, disinterested in their breakfast. Threats take away appetite. My appetite continues as I am safe from raccoons and other threats, so I stay the course of my practices.

What takes away your appetite? Can you find your way to safety? Ki to Happiness remains safe enough to practice, with a healthy appetite for peace.

This morning, part of our country will be satisfied about the news while another part will not. The division between may widen. The Bill of Rights and the Constitution assert that no one is above the law, and with the finding that 34 laws have been broken, there will be justice.

No matter the results of the appeal process which will ensue, we have a pause to reflect. As a yogi and holistic counselor, I reflect on Union and healing for just us, the citizens of our country. My prayer is that this news will bring us closer to “liberty and justice for all”.

How has the news affected you? Can you see it as part of our healing process toward Union? Ki to Happiness prays for just us, the citizens of the USA to put aside differences and align with our similarities.

Students commented on the smell of something good cooking. I told them it was mung bean kitcharee, one of our favorites. I got the particular recipe years ago from an old friend who needed the Ayurvedic food as medicine for her healing.

Its warm nutrition is comforting on these chili spring days. I seasoned it with seven spices for seven tissues called vagar. Fennel, turmeric, ginger,fenugreek, cumin, mustard and sesame seeds are all mingled within me now, tending to all my bones, muscles, blood, nerves, brain, organs and interstitial material.

Do you cook for yourself and others? What food is your medicine? Ki to Happiness cooks nutritious food to share the bounty of the Earth’s abundance as medicine for soul and body.

I continue to receive treatment from my chiropractor to support my wrist’s healing. In doing so, we’ve also been re-aligning my spine, letting go of the many months of compensation for the wrist injury. He doubted whether my structure would change much.

During our session yesterday, he was amazed. Not only has my structure changed, but it’s done so in a very short amount of time. We both view the miracle as encouragement for ongoing healing. I share the miracle with you here to encourage your own.

What do you need to heal? How can you support and encourage the miracle? Ki to Happiness knows no one heals alone.