Author: Ki McGraw

I visited my beloved mentor yesterday. She shared with me her recent hospitalization for surgical removal of colon cancer. I can’t see another good friend in town due to his life changes regarding his prostate cancer.

Next, I will visit my best friend from high school who also just got out of the hospital. Her multiple cancers required removal of more body parts as she continues to beat the odds and survive. In this morning’s rainy dawn, I reflect on seeing each of these dear ones as I deepen my commitment to my yogic lifestyle and attitude of gratitude.

How is your lifestyle treating you? What adjustments are needed to enhance your attitude? Ki to Happiness adjusts yoga practices and expectations to accept life on life’s terms.

Driving my rental car from St. Louis to Champaign Urbana, I got caught in a major deluge. Semi trucks surrounded me as as we all entered into near white out conditions. I slowed down, but was uncertain of the other travelers and their speed.

I started praying to my travel guardians, St.s Christopher, Rafael and Anthony. A sudden bright spot appeared and I proceeded toward it until it cracked open to reveal the end of the storm. I drove on, in gratitude for safety, the saints and my driving skills.

When faced with danger, who do you call out to? When presented a bright spot, can you focus on it? Ki to Happiness concentrates on the bright spots and heads toward them like answered prayers.

One of my daily rituals is tea ceremony which accompanies my yoga practice. Even while traveling, I carry a thermos full of hot water, my travel tea set with it’s sniffing cup and loose jasmine green tea. On board, this simple luxury has companioned me through many journeys.

With just a little turbulence at the wrong time yesterday, the tea set’s lid fell and broke on the floor under my seatmate’s feet. His good nature took no offense at the interruption as he retrieved the pieces and handed them back to me. I put them back together enough to continue brewing for one last time, grateful for all the comfort its provided through my many trips.

What rituals travel with you? Do they require particular objects? Ki to Happiness keeps yoga rituals consistent with whatever objects are available.

Thanks to my cats, I’m up early enough to prepare for my journey with plenty of yoga practices first. Traveling is not nearly as fun as it once was. With tremendous uncertainties, it’s best to start early with balanced breathing regulating my nervous system to face the day ahead.

Parts of our interstate are closed for major repair, my airline had a systems wide hardware problem just a few days ago stopping all flights while the airport had a major security breach, and massive storms loom in the atmosphere. None of this can I change, so I change my breathing rhythm and my posture. In doing so I remember my final task, to put on my traveling shoes.

What do you do when faced with uncertainty? What in this world are you certain of? Ki to Happiness is certain that Peace can be found within.

Finishing up the last tasks from the past month, I am preparing myself for the new moon in Leo, occurring at noon here in Seattle. Changing the sheets, filling the bird feeders and finishing packing for my upcoming trip, I align with the energies upon us.

I propose others do the same. Replacing all fears with safety, we are more likely to attract the desired outcome we intend on this day. Truly, that’s not so different from every day.

 What outcome would you love to see in two weeks when the moon is full? How can you align with that desire today? Ki to Happiness sets intentions for peaceful health and joyous progress on all levels.

We have one more day before we enter into the new moon cycle. This gives us a chance to reflect back on the last couple of weeks and see if there’s anything else we would like to accomplish. Taking care of that business today will give us a chance to set fresh intentions tomorrow for the next lunar cycle.

Pausing in Midsummer like this, we might check the growth in our gardens physically as well as metaphorically. With a little water, some growth may perk back up and if not, perhaps it’s time to remove that which had already given their all. When we stop watering the dead, there’s more for the viable others.

What do you need to complete for a fresh start tomorrow?  Can you pause today and assess your growth? Ki to Happiness is grateful for all the progress, watering only what lives.

Today is the memorial of Saint Mary Magdalene. She presides over gardeners, aromatherapists, perfumers, and healers. Often remembered as a repentant sinner, she models the process of reconciliation.

Each of us in our own timing may come to the awareness that we need to reconcile our behaviors with our higher nature. In doing so we open our hearts to heal from isolation and the desperation that comes from reliance on the ego alone. Reuniting with a higher principle, we witness resurrection and surrender to its process. 

What behaviors do you need to reconcile with your Higher Self? Are you willing to surrender to Divine Will, reuniting your will with It? Ki to Happiness repents, reunites and resurrects following those who’ve show us a Way. 

Yesterday‘s birthday walk with my dear friend turned into a gift for me, too. As walked the familiar path in the woods by my old neighborhood, I collected bits of myself I’d left behind. Stitching them back together, I feel more myself.

In our haste to move 3 miles north three years ago, I let go of those woods and my daily walks to my secret spot and favorite tree. Like old friends reuniting, it felt like no time had passed since we were last together. I plan to visit myself there more often, facilitating my healing and wholing from the hasty move.

What parts of yourself have you left behind in haste? What would help you collect those parts for your wholeness? Ki to Happiness walks the old path and remembers herself to the trees and secret spots in the woods.

This blog is hosted by my website. I appreciate the opportunity to exercise my right to free speech in this way. I encourage all readers to do the same, if desirable.

I am also free to breathe well and align my posture in yoga practices. As I face the issues in my life, I find it helpful to do so on a regular and consistent basis. I also encourage readers to do the same, in your own way.

What are your outlets for freedom of speech? What helps you face the issues in your life? Ki to Happiness encourages you to find the right outlets and practices that serve your Higher Self.

I had my final treatment with my beloved Ayurvedic physician before he moves. Our intention was to integrate all our efforts of the past year. He began with chanting mantra as the herb infused oil warmed.

He anointed me with the oil. Body, mind, emotion and spirit came together in the sacred space. As we concluded, he pronounced it a treatment of worship.

What do you worship? Who has worshiped you? Ki yo Happiness worships treatments and practices that unite us with the One.