Author: Ki McGraw

Slowly the maple trees on our street show their true colors. Bright red replaces the chlorophyll green of summer. Soft rain washes their faces, so all is fresh as we head toward summer’s end.

As I deadhead the flowers on our deck, I reflect on their having graced our entrance all season long. I love how removing one blossom that has spent its beauty, fragrance and seed leaves room for more to replace it. Nature’s cycles teach us much.

How will you observe this last week of summer? What do you need to deadhead? Ki to Happiness dances to Nature’s rhythm.

Our private retreatment concludes his week with us today. How ever long any retreat lasts, about midway through the participant generally hits a snag. Persisting in the process without forcing, deep lessons can be learned for progress, change and integration.

Every step on the path of yoga is to be celebrated. We will honor this process by having a small brunch buffet following the morning classes. All is well that ends well, which is our intention with his send off.

How do you honor your progress? What needs to be celebrated? Ki to Happiness honors another’s progress and celebrates with a good ending.

The Jewish calendar celebrates the new year of 5784. In Bali, I learned their usage of an entirely different measure of time resulting in multiple calendars. Only the priests could tell you exactly how they worked.

Whatever the day, the time, the year, I have learned to respect others and our individual differences. I hold the freedom to celebrate our own traditions as sacred. This democracy was founded on that principle which I continue to honor.

Have you spent time benefiting from other cultures? What have you learned that broadens your compassionate heart? Ki to Happiness celebrates our cultural differences with tolerance in the Eternal Now.

Along with the new moon energy, the planet Mercury has stationed direct. in the process, there can be a bit of confusion about which way we are going This may create interruptions and a bit of confusion as to whether we are heading forward or backward.

I find it empowering to know about these subtle influences, so I don’t take any of the present circumstances personally. Instead of trying to force progress, I find it helpful to breathe and slow down. Without trying to force the river, I am more able to float on its surface and enjoy to movement toward the Ocean of Oneness.

Have you been experiencing setbacks amidst progress? Can you stop trying to force your will on circumstances, and allow these energies to develop? Ki to Happiness slows down and breathes.

Today we have a chance to begin again with fresh intentions for the month ahead. During this month we will transition into Autumn. Virgo is an Earth sign which will support our health and healing practices.

The summer has brought much growth and progress. Giving thanks as we harvest will ensure further bounty. Tuning up our self-care will safeguard us for the winter ahead.

For what are you grateful from this summer? What intentions can you set today for your health and healing practices? Ki to Happiness aligns with the energies of the day.

Among the frustrations of trying to book my next trip to see my mom before the snow flies, and removing a trespasser from our deck an instance of perfect timing stood out. Bob and I went out our E bikes to take care of a few errands. We left at the same time and went to different destinations.

Upon returning, I heard him call my name from behind me. It brought me joy and delight. The simple gift of perfect timing overshadowed the perturbations as I chose to focus on the Divine Intervention at work in my life instead.

Where do you choose to put your focus? Frustrations and perturbations or on the gifts of the Divine which are everywhere? Ki to Happiness looks through grateful eyes at the Divine moments of perfect timing.

As our private retreatment arrived, I greeted him on the street to usher him in. The next student who attended my 10 AM class, remembered him from our time together years ago at our yoga retreat in Bali. Later, after Bob’s evening class, I introduced him to another student, who is about to go off to a yoga retreat in Thailand held by another of our graduates who studied with us at the same time as he did.

I love making these connections with people. Past, present, and future all come together in the omnipresent present Now. Bali, Sedona, Seattle and Thailand join into a network of Here.

What brings you present in the omnipresent Now? What helps space disappear into the presence of Here? Ki to Happiness connects with the Timeless Spaceless One through yoga.

Today we welcome a former graduate of our Yoga Teacher Training program to our new location for a private retreat. He has created his own independent study schedule with us to serve his needs for continuing education. Staying in a nearby B&B, he’ll attend classes and private sessions.

I rode my bike down to check out his route to and from us from his B&B. When I got there, I saw his doppelgänger. I turned around to make sure it wasn’t him, since his flight hadn’t arrived yet and saw no one, as if his energy is so strongly here his retreat has already begun.

Are you independent enough to create a private retreat for yourself? What components would you need to make it a fulfilling experience for you? Ki to Happiness is honored to facilitate private retreats for independent yoga practitioners.

I love the multifaceted services that I offer as others request. In addition to teaching yoga, working with other privately gives me a chance to use many of my other tools for their benefit. Today is rare day off.

I relish the time to commune with the god of my understanding. After my morning practices, I will attend both of Bob‘s classes as ever. This afternoon, I’ll enjoy the beautiful end of summer vibe and count my many blessings as we near harvest time.

How do you spend your time off? Does it differ much from your time on? Ki to Happiness resources herSelf, off and on.

I am aware and informed of many problems and catastrophes occurring presently. I read the newspaper, and watch legacy and alternative channels to stay abreast of what we are all dealing with. This could lead to frustration, futility, and the feeling of failure for all of my efforts in my life toward healing, peace, and union.

Instead, I find deep joy unperturbed within as I sit in my practices, with my cats around me, and watch the dawn breaking. Any way that brings us in alignment with the deep abiding joy is a radical revolution away from fear. Choosing happiness anyway and in any way emboldens our free spirit to stay connected to the One in All.

What brings you joy? How can you stay aligned with it? Ki to Happiness chooses any and all ways that align my free spirit with the One, anyway and always.