Author: Ki McGraw

I’ve been cultivating my awareness of sweet moments in my life. By doing so, I’m seeing how easy it is for me to access my happiness. Letting go of other activities, I’m choosing sipping tea in my garden, appreciating our cats’ peaceful togetherness, and walking in the sunshine.

This awareness builds, as some chores become pleasurable. Watering the garden, grooming the cats and even tending to my accounting all have turned into delights as they support the sweet moments. Letting my joy lead me brought me long ago to yoga practice, meditation, teaching and offering private sessions.

How easy is it for you to access your happiness? What activities bring you the sweetest moments? Ki to Happiness sniffs out joy and follows its scent to this present moment.

As we begin this new month, we do so on the back of all the progress in June. Leaving by behind the challenges and the efforts, we might witness germination of the seeds we’ve planted, growth, and perhaps even some fruits of our laborers.

We’ve been fortunate to have very little June Gloom, so we may begin this new month with a sunnier disposition. Our cool and clean yoga studio with open windows invites us all to deepen our practices, benefitting from the warmth as we safely stretch, strengthen and align. In doing so we become a more fit vehicle for our Higher Selves to be manifest on this beautiful planet.

What progress did you make in June? How well does that set you up for a beautiful month of July? Ki to Happiness made the most of June and looks forward to what July offers.

In the beautiful weather yesterday, we spent some time on our deck. I served our lunchtime smoothies at our bistro set amidst the birds, squirrels and flowers with our cats watching us from inside. After watering, deadheading and sweeping, I also enjoyed my dinner al fresco, with Bob by my side.

After classes, we planned to take a bike ride up to our local park. Mt Rainier graced our view as we lounged in the mild sun. At days end, I rested well and early, having had lots of time in the fresh air and sunshine, practicing yoga and biking.

What are your favorite activities in the summertime? Can you enjoy the simple pleasures of the season right where you live? Ki to Happiness has been all over, and finds to time to enjoy what is right here, right now. 

One of our community members brought us some new bird seeds. When I put them out in a new feeder, it attracted new birds. In the dark of predawn, I can’t see them, but I hear their songs.

I’ve also noticed less mammals are attracted. We have some furry four leggeds that I don’t intend to be feeding.  These little changes on the outside reflect bigger changes on the inside as we learn to attract the energy we intend.

What would you like to attract? What food would it like? Ki to Happiness stops feeding the undesirable energies in favor of attracting the desirable.

I had an appointment yesterday that took me to an area I haven’t been to in a long time. On my E bike, as I returned from my successful post surgery check up,  I collected memories of my first years here and reflected on all the changes. I’ve changed into just what I had intended.

My old stomping ground is much worse for the wear. I see destruction and construction happening simultaneously resulting in an ugly mess of trash, graffiti, addicts, homelessness amidst the high rises and building cranes. I can relate to that as my own process getting here now was a bit messy, which gives me hope that all will be well in time back there.

What road holds memories for you? What does it look like when you go back there now? Ki to Happiness embraces the past as led to the present, which is a gift on which to build the future.

We had a drug addled trespasser on our deck yesterday right before Bob’s class. together, he and I got the man to depart in time for students to arrive without a conflict. As we cleaned up and assessed the damages, a neighbor from upstairs came down to check on the racket.

He introduced himself, offered his phone number and his services at any time we need assistance with security. A strapping bodybuilder with massive tattoos everywhere, including on his face, he is the right guy for the job. He’s also a sweet cat daddy, so I sent him pictures of our three and look forward to seeing his pictures sometime.

When you’re going through bad times, can you keep an eye out for the good? Do you see how the good and bad are mingled together? Ki to Happiness looks for and sees good coming out of bad, (sometimes later or having to squint.)

With all good intentions during yesterday‘s new moon, we hit a couple of snafus. Frustration, anger and conflict arose. Transmuting that energy took conscious choice and effort.

This morning’s yoga practice reveals indwelling joy, anyway. No resolution on the pressing issues and more problems to solve don’t deter the bubbling spring of happiness. Grateful for yoga, the sutras and the consistent “application to a principle” they recommend, I face the new day with renewed intention, knowing the new moon is still listening. 

What spiritual principles do you consistently apply to your life? When have you experienced joy bubbling up even in the midst of snafus? Ki to Happiness transmutes energy ever toward the One in All.

Having prepared ourselves, we welcome to today’s new moon. Releasing tension and stress of the past lunar cycle, we come into quiet, peaceful relief as we envision a beautiful month ahead. Pleasures of the home and family time are featured as political and planetary shifts occur.

When we find peace within, we can project that outward into our immediate sphere of influence. Consistently choosing peace, we are able to broadcast that outward, rippling peace toward greater and greater influence. As more of us do so, our efforts join one another’s and strengthen. 

What are your intentions for the next month? Can you join me in visualizing a peaceful world with a positive outcome of all our efforts? Ki to Happiness ripples peace toward you, dear Readers.

Tomorrow’s new moon will invite us to set intentions for the next month of Summer. Today is a good day to finish up and conclude any energies to serve that purpose. Starting new projects can wait until tomorrow.

I’ve scheduled some assistance for helping me release some of my lingering energies. My chiropractor will realign my spine from the stressors that twist and distort my structure. Otherwise, I’m ready for a beautiful, healthy summertime of abundant health and wealth for Hatha Yoga Center, our students, clients and cats.

What do you need to finish up? Can you conclude it today so you are ready for a fresh start tomorrow? Ki to Happiness realigns for a fresh future.

After visiting with our son, I had an early night. I woke up in the middle and got up. As is my habit, I started counting my blessings.

I counted them in threes. My body mind and spirit are all good. My relationship with my family of origin and of creation as well as our cats are all good. My efforts with students, clients and others, all fruitful and functional as we pass through the summer solstice portal.

When you wake up in the night, what is your habit? How is your summer beginning? Ki to Happiness relies on positive habits through every season.