Author: Ki McGraw

An old friend of mine had a young daughter who used to say “I have contestines” when her belly was upset. I appreciated her young language skills, combining those two big words, contest and intestines. She expressed well what I have often experienced.

There’s an old expression which is “we are what we eat.“ I prefer the expression which is less familiar. “We are what we have not evacuated.” which is perhaps a polite way of putting it for you, dear readers.

How is your digestion, assimilation and evacuation? What changes do you need to make so your intestines do not contest what you have consumed? Ki to Happiness digests light organic plant based foods best.

Midsummer is a perfect time for manifestation. Some refer to it as Lion’s Gate as we are in the Sun Sign of Leo, the Lion. Today is 8/8, which is the peak of the portal’s opening.

It’s a good time to look around and see if you have manifested all that you intended to during this season of growth. I’ve been using the energies to improve our space. I’ll throw some cinnamon out our threshold with an intention of further manifestation.

When you look around you, what can you improve? What remains to be manifested in this season? Ki to Happiness intends to manifest peace, abundance, harmony and love which nature reflects beautifully around me.

I assessed one long-standing community member’s physical structure yesterday. I found he could benefit from realignment of his right hip. He reported feeling more stable and strong afterward.

In years past, he has exchanged covering classes while we’ve been gone or helping us with his many handy skills for taking classes and having private sessions with me. He surprised us with a generous donation yesterday instead. After he left us, Bob opened the sealed envelope without knowing what it contained and shared it’s contents directly with me.

How reciprocal are your relationships? What do you exchange? Ki to Happiness detaches from the outcome of work and delights in the surprise donation!

In my 20s, the structure of my life felt like a rut. “Birth, school, work, death” were the lyrics of one alternative popular song. I had to break free of that feeling of enslavement.

In my 60s, having fulfilled many of my childhood dreams and youthful desires, my disciplined life feels like a routine that upholds my contribution to free other. Asana, pranayama, meditation and prayer replace the old lyrics. This freedom I offer to all I encounter.

How do you experience the rhythms of your life? As a rut or a routine? Ki to Happiness lifts herself out of the rut and places her routine on her alter as an offering to the Great One.

We made plans together for Bob‘s first movie at a theater since Covid. As the day developed our private sessions and classes took priority. Instead of pushing on, Bob said he’d rather go maybe later.

I agreed immediately. Diminishing stress and retaining our energy for our most important efforts takes discernment. With time and space we chose other activities which further our main purpose.

What is your main purpose? Are you willing to stay on track even if it means letting go of other things? Ki to Happiness avoids activities that may detract from it.

As the moon has subdued her fullness, I’m left with overflowing joy. At mid summer, I celebrate the growth of the year, our 5 year old cats, our one year anniversary in the present location and Bob’s renewed vitality. This joy is springing forth in freedom from tumult.

I’ve noticed that when I am really good, I can be a bit much for others to take. Without apologizing for my big energy, I will do my best to channel it into appropriate action and service. The broad path of yoga always gives me a place to allow this inherent joy to expand.

When’s the last time you’ve experienced this inherent joy? Can you call it to mind now and allow it to overflow? Ki to Happiness celebrates freedom from tumult with deepening commitment to yoga and service.

During the heat of the summer, I retreat into my cool nook with a good book. My girlfriend gave it to me during my last trip to the heartland. Reading it keeps me connected to her, knowing her eyes were on these pages.

Reading focuses the mind and transport us to another place and time. Consciously choosing what we put our attention on, this particular book takes me into the myths and magic of gods and witches. It reminds me of the sacred voices we hear when we are still, emitting from Nature’s animals, plants and stones.

What are you consciously choosing to put your attention on? Does your choice result in what you intend? Ki to Happiness focuses on the uplifting sacred voices of Nature.

After serving our community anniversary treats, we had some leftover sheet cake. I saw an opportunity to enter the building and placed the cake on the entryway table for the neighbors who live above us. I left some napkins and a knife as well as a thank you note for our generally good relationships this first year here.

Later, we saw one of the neighbors locked outside again, for just about the millionth time. We’ve used our key to help them gain access until somebody stole our key, breaking in through our screened window. In offering the man some cake from outside, I let him know I couldn’t let him in, since our key was stolen, which resulted in his truthful reaction indicating he realized this was the consequence for one of his apartment mates breaking in and stealing it.

Where does the truth come from? Can you wait patiently for it to be revealed? Ki to Happiness celebrates the truth coming out in the end, even if it requires cake.

One year ago today we held our first classes in our present location. We’ve been celebrating with our Hatha Yoga Community. Members have been expressing how fast the year has flown by.

This full moon brings a fullness to my heart. I reflect on the many changes that have occurred here in the year. Soon we may be joined in our building by another community member who is in search of a new living circumstance.

How full is your heart with this full moon? What is being revealed in it’s reflective light? Ki to Happiness shares her gratitude with you all from her overflowing heart for all that has occurred this year.

Checking off names in our accounting book, I saw the name of one person who hadn’t made it back to us since the pandemic. I wished her well from a distance. Yesterday she showed up at the 9 o’clock class!

Her presence reminded me that “thoughts are things”. Thinking about someone, then they call or they show up gives us reason to be mindful of our train of thoughts, keeping them on track with our values. Especially now as the moon fills and the veil between the worlds thins, stay vigilant and watchful so to manifest what you intend.

What do you intend to manifest? Can you keep your thoughts on track with that which you value? Ki to Happiness reminds us that thoughts are things.