Author: Ki McGraw

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.

The summer solstice portal continues to remain open. This gives us all a chance to completely release any remaining fears from the spring. My students and I ritualized our release by writing down our fears on paper and burning them safely before saluting the sun and the rain.

I encouraged the students to participate in a grounding ritual by walking barefoot on the earth with intention, which I did later. Next I’ll take a ritual bath sealing these efforts, as I suggested my students do, too. Becoming free from fear, we safely bring peace here, now.

Which rituals are you willing to participate in? Fire, earth, water, or speaking your intentions aloud in the air? Ki to Happiness involves each sense and element in sacred ritual to become the peace that is so needed in this world.

As we greet this first summer Dawn, we do so with gentle rain. My garden responds by opening up to the freshness. My cats respond by gazing out the open windows and taking in all they can.

I respond with the desire to salute the rain in this morning’s class. Our new cleaner did a great job on our space. I look forward to sharing summer‘s bounty with our whole community.

What do you look forward to this summer?  Can you welcome the rain as well as the sun? Ki to Happiness looks forward to rain and sun bringing about a beautiful harvest.

Astronomically, we enter summer solstice in the middle of the night tonight. This makes for a great day of reflection on all the blessings of spring. Noticing how much progress we’ve made with all the little seeds we’ve planted, we have much to be thankful for.

It’s also a time requiring patience. The  seeds need time to bare fruit and ripen. The progress so far gives us faith as we anticipate an abundant harvest, and protect the progress so far.

What kind of seeds did you plant three months ago? How are they growing? Ki to Happiness tends to her spiritual garden with daily yoga practice.

Yesterday brought stressful challenges with late appointments, frantic phone calls, and medical emergencies impacting our regular activities. As I said my prayers before bed, I looked forward to today. It’s a chance to start over.

The healing pause of sleep, the freshness of morning practice and a light schedule promise a better day ahead. I give thanks for the reset and all practices that support beginning anew again and again. Anticipating a day of peaceful progress as we honor those who’ve dealt with much worse conditions on this Juneteenth.

What helps you reset? When challenging conditions arise, can you take a break and start over? Ki to Happiness begins again and again, reflecting on those who’ve persevered hardships and are celebrated for it.

I interviewed a woman yesterday who will start cleaning for us. When she arrived, amazement spread across her face. She let me know that she used to work for the former owner of our building.

As she looked around inside, she shared how the space has transformed since her last visit here. Happy to take the job, I paid her in advance. We acknowledged the small town feeling within this metropolis our meeting provided. 

 In large metropolis, can you find the comforts of small town living? In a small town, can you cultivate the opportunities of a large metropolis? Ki to Happiness feels at home wherever she is.

In meditation yesterday, I received a dream like image. It sent me onto a process of purging, some long held resentment. When I concluded it, I got the message about myself.

Long held resentments reflect blind spots regarding ourselves. With enough safety, time and space for processing our material, we may learn the lesson required for greater freedom. In that freedom, I also free the other from my resentment, forgive and give thanks for the lesson.

What message might be hidden in your long held resentments? Where can you find enough safety to process your material and become free? Ki to Happiness works with dreams and dream like images revealed in meditation as recommended in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

Lots of students attended Bob’s Father’s Day classes. Afterwards, several stayed and enjoyed the treats and refreshments I prepared. Bob appreciated the effort and attention, as well as his gifts.

In our quiet afternoon together, Bob continued with his fatherly celebration hanging out with our cats. All three of them showed their love for him, like everyday. Slow blinks, purring and head bumps bring smiles to Bob’s cat daddy heart.

How was your Father’s Day? Did you remember to acknowledge Divine Father? Ki to Happiness remembers herself to Divine Father/Mother daily.

Hatha Yoga Center wishes you happy Father’s Day. Whether you are a father, a step dad, a granddad, or a mom who has also performed the role of a dad, we honor and acknowledge you on this day. I’ve already gifted Bob, but there’s more coming.

Bob is the father of the Hatha Yoga Center and will continue to teach his classes this morning. Our busy 32 year-old son is likely to make contact, too. We celebrate all who protect and provide for the young.

How will you observe this day? Who has protected and provided for you and who have you protected and provided for? Ki to Happiness thanks all who father.