Author: Ki McGraw

I’ve been watching some of the new Christmas movies. I can’t recommend any of them. I do appreciate a theme I’m observing.

I observe wealthy, privileged Caucasians, choosing to love those who do not match those descriptions. Middle-class, hard-working, not necessarily Caucasians have been choosing to love those who do not match those descriptions. Love has been winning, bridging the caste system divisions.

What bridges have you crossed by loving? What differences would you like to let go of?Ki to Happiness bridges the differences between us with love.

Having traveled the world, and experienced many different cultures, I have learned to be open to a variety of traditions. That frees me up from having any set expectations about how celebrations are to occur here. It’s a gift I give myself each holiday season.

I also offer that gift to each of you. Without expectations, there is no disappointment. Instead, there is an acceptance of life on life‘s terms. Sometimes lovely, sometimes not, accepting life gives me chance to learn from its wisdom which is why I’m here.

What do you expect from the holidays? Can you free yourself from that expectation and save yourself from disappointment? Ki to Happiness lives and learns from life itself.

I know it’s dark. I know it’s cold. I know there are many reasons to feel sad, afraid, angry, anxious, and lost.

And yet the light returns. As will the warmth. Last night’s Hatha Yoga Center winter solstice gathering gave us 31 flavors of folks who chose to participate in activities that gave us reason to feel safe, joy, happiness, togetherness and love.

Which flavor do you choose? How can we help you choose well? Ki to Happiness chooses the flavors of miraculous healing that empower us.

I know it’s dark. I know it’s cold. And I know there’s lots of reasons to feel afraid, nervous, anxious, sad, angry, and lost.

And yet the light is returning. As is the warmth. Last night’s winter solstice gathering at Hatha Yoga Center brought together 31 of our community members with 31 flavors of hope, joy, happiness, healing, togetherness and love.

What flavor do you choose? Can we help you feel safe and empowered to choose well? Ki to Happiness chooses to behold the miraculous light of healing guidance especially in the darkest hours.

This darkest day is the harbinger of light returning. It’s a day of hope. We have been blessed in the Pacific Northwest with mild temperatures and plenty of sunshine during the few daylight hours.

We have been actively preparing for our gathering. Together we made gingerbread cookies in addition to all the other treats ready for our guests. Last night, I even found a left-handed harmonium helper.

What brings you hope? In your darkest hours, what brings you light? Ki to Happiness feels the light returning as our community gathers, pitches in to help and all good preparations in the dark are ready.

Entering into the winter solstice, we experience the greatest darkness in the year. It’s a time of deep reflection within, especially as Mercury is retrograde. As we turn our attention inside ourselves, with practice we are likely to find light.

This light brings with it understanding and healing. Allowing ourselves time to slow down and turn within, we can work miracles of forgiveness and realign body-mind with the indwelling Spirit of Guidance. We may not see the effects for some time, like the seeds we plant underground in faith that they will sprout forth in Spring.

What needs healing? What relationship requires forgiveness? Ki to Happiness sheds light on the darkness as Guided by Spirit.

Here, I’m baking, rehearsing and decorating for our upcoming Solstice gathering. Inspiration moved me brightly toward whomping up the stuffing for our Portabella mushrooms as the Vegan chocolate mint cheesecakes firmed up in the fridge. Soon our darkest night will be filled with the light of music, togetherness, and finding the light within through our Hatha Yoga practice.

Elsewhere, my dear friend is making preparations to accompany her lifelong bestie to a bigger hospital for another heart surgery related to her end stage congestive heart failure. Clients reach out in emergent need as holiday plans fail. Students continue attending classes with us as a respite from the efforts to meet holiday expectations.

How are you doing out there? Are you finding your way to stay centered in your heart? Ki to Happiness shares what she finds in Here with all of you out There.

Getting ready for Thursday’s winter solstice gathering requires that the HYC elves get busy. We have improved our signage, installed hooks for hanging decorations, and baked dozens of vegan cupcakes. All is cleaned up and ready.

Candles are in place for lighting. We have one more musical rehearsal before our live performance 12/21/23 during Bob‘s class 5:30 class. The candle lit offering will be festive and celebratory, bringing light and joyful sounds to our community during this darkest time of year.

How are your preparation‘s going? Do you have enough elves to get all of the tasks accomplished? Ki to Happiness delights in the efforts of the busy elves.

“Where am I going on this fabulous journey?To your house, of course.“ These lines uttered by the Sufi poet Rumi are still prophetic.

Tonight is the anniversary of his death, which his followers refer to as his wedding night. They envisioned him marrying his beloved, who had predeceased him when he exited the flesh. Their love has inspired thousands of poems and millions of readers for hundreds of years.

Who inspires your love? Who does your love inspire? Ki to Happiness opens the door to her heart to welcome all true lovers to her house.

Working away yesterday with my assistant, another helper wanted to come over. I couldn’t pass up the offer. I had to pause briefly with my administrative helper, so I could set up our very handy helper with his tasks.

Now hooks are in place for hanging plants and squeaky hinges are quiet as well as progress on my administrative needs. This morning reveals the miraculous result of team effort. With these two supreme allies, I feel like I could do anything.

Who helps you? What are you able to accomplish with them that you could not do on your own? Ki to Happiness is humbled with helpers, hooks and hinges.