Author: Ki McGraw

As Bob watched a sporting event last evening, I had time on my hands. I had several choices of what to do with my time. I chose to drink, hot lemon water, and sit on our deck.

This morning, I especially appreciate that choice among many. It’s simple cleansing effect leads to a beautiful early morning practice. I am awaken well rested, refreshed, and ready for a beautiful Sunday.

How do you feel about your choices of late? What do you the results of your choices inform you about any needed refinements? Ki to Happiness examines the results of choices for fine tuning.

In celebration of summer solstice, we got together with two long standing members of our community. They have been instrumental in finding this location for Hatha Yoga Center and safeguarding our transition here. We planned this outing long ago, and the gorgeous weather allowed us to enjoy a bike ride, and burritos at the beach.

On our way back, we explored an alternate route to avoid the traffic and construction of our nearby interstate interchange. Bob and I had attended the opening of a nearby bike route when we first moved here before we had bikes. That information came in handy as we were able to locate it and rode safely home to our hungry cats.

When’s the last time you had a double date? How will you celebrate this first summer weekend? Ki to Happiness delights in remembering this first double date in decades.

Each morning, as I sit in meditation, I give my attention to my breath, posture and the Everlasting. This is loving. I finish in prayer, expressing my gratitude and asking for any needs to be met.

I go about my day and give the same steady attention to my students and clients, my husband and our cats, our home and yoga studio. This is loving. At the end of the day, all the love I have given, I receive.

What love are you needing? Can you give that love? Ki to Happiness gives love- that’s what it’s for, and in doing so receives love in the process.

We won’t need the heat today. Clear skies promise a gorgeous day in the mid 70s. We will be able to enjoy it as we conduct classes with windows open, have smoothies on our deck and take a nice walk.

June’s gloom has departed just in time for summer. We may even find our way to use our railing as a barre like we did last year when we first moved here. Perfect weather in Seattle gives us a chance to sleep inside, but live outside.

How much time do you spend outdoors? Are you able to take advantage of a day with clear skies? Ki to Happiness relaxes and replenishes resources in nature.

On today’s summer solstice, we shift out of the Spring and all of its promise. As we welcome the season, we do well to count our blessings. This simple spiritual practice invites more to be grateful for through our vibration.

I am peaceful, healthy and happy. I am thankful for many blessings, skills, talents and gifts to live the life I have been guided to from my Higher Self. All the seeds that I have planted in the soil of my intentions have flowered and will fruit with right conditions.

What blessings have come your way this spring? Can you just imagine them growing all through the summer? Ki to Happiness wishes you all a Happy Summer Solstice.

When I lived in Hawaii, I had a dear friend, who became a yoga student. After I left, I started having unusual pain in my left little finger nail. I learned from my friend. that’s where his cancer pain began and didn’t end for either of us until he left his body.

A couple of weeks ago I started having temperature sensations in a tooth. I found out that a dear friend of mine was having dental issues with the same tooth in her head. As she had it extracted, my sensitivity subsided, reminding me of my previous sympathetic pain in my fingernail.

When someone you love is in pain, do you feel it, too? Are you empathetic? Ki to Happiness feels other’s pains and joys in the Oneness of all, and heals along with other’s healing.

This is our third national holiday celebrating Juneteenth. Hatha Yoga Center observes it by continuing to offer classes. Union in diversity is what yoga is all about, as we each have access to the Higher Power within.

Overcoming divisions in our community starts with healing the divides inside our hearts. Growing in self understanding, forgiveness and compassion, we have that to extend outward. Inclusion embraces and celebrates differences so we can all learn from one another the many ways to live and love.

What division remains in your heart? What self understanding is required for you to forgive? Ki to Happiness extends a Happy Juneteenth to all.

This is my first Father’s Day without my dad. It gives me a chance to recognize the good fathering my mom has provided. Also, celebrating my husband, who has been a good dad to his son.

Ultimately, Divine Father in each of us, disciplines us, and guides us. Through the yoga practice, I open to that energy daily. Not just on this special day.

Who’s your daddy? Who’s daddy are you? Ki to Happiness celebrates the Divine Father in All.

Strong winds and rain have returned to our area. Instead of succumbing to what the locals call June gloom, it’s important that we stay clear about our intentions, since we have a new moon. Appreciating the moisture, like the plants, we may quench our thirst for Spring as we prepare to shift into Summer on Tuesday.

Counting our blessings, we may be aware all the growth this spring has brought. Continuing that growth, we may encourage it to fruit into something nutritious and sweet. The new moon invites us to reflect and recalibrate for optimal usage of the energies surrounding us.

What growth are you aware of that has occurred this Spring? As you reflect, what do you need to re-calibrate for optimal continuing growth this summer? Ki to Happiness reflects in the new moon to set clear intentions for a fruitful Summer.

Years ago I participated in a hypnosis workshop for psychotherapists. The presenter said among many things, that people primarily want to live in an understandable universe. While other things he said and did didn’t completely ring true this statement did.

For a time yesterday, I didn’t understand my universe. When a tiny nugget of information came my way, suddenly I understood myself. In doing so, my understandable universe greets me this morning.

What do you understand about your universe? Is there some thing you don’t yet understand? Ki to Happiness understands.