Author: Ki McGraw

I took my mom on a ride to see the peak autumn colors. Along this Illinois River Valley bluff there are 4 significant roads that traverse the climb through the woods. We drove up one, then down another as we remembered the many times we’ve shared this family ritual.

When dad was with us, we used to play his favorite Nat King Cole song as we would “Shoot the hills”. I have videotaped our drive in the past and taken several photos. this time, we made no record of our journey other than my sharing it with you here.

What family rituals do you find valuable? How can you keep them alive? Ki to Happiness values peaceful rituals connecting us to something greater, like Nature.

We went out to see the epic drama, by Martin Scorsese. Killers of the Flower Moon is a riveting educational tale about the atrocities committed by men. Watching with my mom and her friends brought us all together in alignment with the need to correct those ways of being.

For each of us, it starts within. Removing the sinister weaponization of “family” and “friendship” and finding the kind heart that dwells inside, we each can become whole. Wholeness shows us that we are all more similar than different, so we can act in accordance with that truth.

Are you open to education? Can you let any new information and change in accordance with it? Ki to Happiness learns and grows.

At dawn, I heard yelping from overhead. I looked out over the Illinois river valley and saw geese flying in formation above us. No doubt they were communicating about their next move.

Yesterday, as I picked up some items for dinner with mom, I saw a two legged gaggle of bridesmaids. 45 years ago today I married. In light of that disaster, I rolled down my window and, without yelping a command, I simply said “don’t do it“ to myself.

What do you wish someone had said to you years ago? Can you say it to yourself now? Ki to Happiness changes her past so she gets into formation for the right next move in her future.

As I prepare to leave my alma mater, I take with me, the enriching experience of having reconnected with dear old friends and mentors. Their smiles, our deep bonds and our shared evolution go with me. I return to my mom and my yurt as I retrace my steps back home to Seattle.

My bags are lighter, as I have distributed my gifts. My heart is full. I turn homeward as I look within it.

Where do you find home? Have you established it firmly in your heart? Ki to Happiness turns within through the practice of Hatha Yoga.

As I met with my mentors yesterday, I was asked to record our conversation. In my excitement, I couldn’t locate the app on my phone. Instead, I committed highlights to my memory.

Stories, turns of phrases, gestures and physical movements are all stored in my wetware. I received compliments, validation, and assurance of our status as peers and friends. These memories I fold into our long standing relationships, strengthening our bonds.

What conversations would you like to record? How good is your wet ware? Ki to Happiness records significance in her old school memory.

Yesterday I was all ready for my scheduled activities when a couple challenging phone calls came in. Initially, the difficulties meant stress and delay. Practicing a simple posture, breathing consciously and applying the Serenity prayer helped me let go of what I couldn’t change and change myself instead.

I shifted into damage control. I wanted to let go of the stress as soon as possible. My resilience kicked in and with it, my serenity.

How do you handle stress? How ready are your yogic tools? Ki to Happiness bounces back.

Last night as I exited my mom‘s house, I walked down to my yurt and felt eyes on me. I stopped and looked around and spotted two deer looking at me. Usually they runoff into the nearby woods.

I’ve learned that their ears are highly sensitive. So I spoke gently and quietly to them with a calm voice as I crossed their path. I entered my yurt’s door silently and looked back out to see them still watching me.

Can you feel when there are eyes on you? Do you know how to participate with nature so as not to disturb it? Ki to Happiness walks without disturbing nature by becoming one with It.

My brother, mother, and I spent one full day together yesterday. We celebrated each another’s progress and healing since our last visit. During this year of loosing Dad, we have all processed in our own way, in our separate states and states of consciousness.

Sometimes, when we are together, it feels like we represent the past, present and the future. Other times, the red, white and blue. Our threesome has been the base of my personal trinity, mother, brother and sister.

What’s your personal Trinity? What would it be like if you could spend one full day immersed in it? Ki to Happiness cherishes one full day.

My brother and I drove during the eclipse from St. Louis to see our mom. We had a riotous exit of six detours and misinformation from Siri. Both of us laughed at how that gave us a longer time for a road trip as we listened to some more bootleg dead.

We arrived safely to Mom’s patient and open arms. After a half an hour, Mom’s hair stylist texted her to see if I wanted to sneak in for a quick haircut before we had dinner with her Besty. Thrilled to get the invitation on his busy Saturday, we jumped back in the car and went over for a haircut party before dinner.

How did you spend the time of the eclipse? Were you able to make use of the energy so you can have fresh new beginnings in this new lunar month? Ki to Happiness reminds us we can still align with the new moon and set intentions even if the eclipse pattern derailed you with its intensity.

Today there will be a solar eclipse partially visible in North America. This occurs at the time of the new moon in libra. There may be a sense of some thing obscuring beauty, or one’s ability to find balance.

Being informed about the potential challenge empowers us. It’s a good day to set intentions for a beautiful and balanced month ahead. If we can harness the challenges we face today and redirect the energies forward consciously we have nothing to fear.

Can you consciously face your fears today? what beauty and balance might you extract from these challenges? Ki to Happiness faces fears with the beautiful balance of safety found with the Higher Self.