Author: Ki McGraw

One year ago this weekend, we moved Hatha Yoga Center, our home, and our cats to our present location. During that time, my practices sustained me and my discipline structured the transition. Other self care took a backseat to the driving force of focusing on the move.

This year in celebration I have resumed greater self care. I have also attended to our container garden to welcome our students and neighbors. After our morning classes, I’ll serve some vegan treats to those who have assembled.

What sustains you when you are facing great transition? What disciplines do you keep and which do you let go of? Ki to Happiness resumes greater self care in honor of our 1 year anniversary here.

Returning from my trip to celebrate my mother’s birthday, I have grounded myself with yoga practices and services. Walking and eating local organic foods have also helped me reconnect to this part of the Earth. For an hour yesterday, that was not enough, and I needed something else.

Our container garden called me to it. As I deadheaded, re-potted, watered and propagated, my energies roots reconnected me to the Good Mother Earth. Afterwards, I relished the sunshine, the water, the fresh air and the dirt under my nails. Feeling akin to the elements, I smiled from within for only the plants and animals to see.

What helps you ground? How can you best honor the four elements of which you are comprised? Ki to Happiness uses many tools as directed by Higher Self.

Yesterday we celebrated our cats’ fifth birthday. I got them their favorite treats, and also a new snack to try. We gathered five feathers during our walk in the neighborhood and played with them together.

Last year their birthday got a bit neglected as we were deeply in the process of moving here. They have adapted well to the change, and have stayed safe and healthy in this luv-work environment. We emphasized Cat posture, in both classes in honor of them.

How do you celebrate the animals in your life? Are you willing to risk being silly and playful? Ki to Happiness celebrates our cats as energetic protectors of Hatha Yoga Center.

May the angelic, Irish singer Sinead O’Conner, rest in peace. Her music moved my generation and deepened our compassion for each other which rippled outward to other generations both older and younger. She will be missed by her myriad fans and especially by her surviving children.

In her lyrics “ I went to the doctor and guess what he told me? He said ‘girl, you better have fun no matter what you do”. She thought he was a fool in her next line of lyrics, but I took that prescription to heart. I have had my fun, and I’m still here with or without her.

What fun have you had lately? Since you’re still here with me, how can you best enjoy your life? Ki to Happiness enjoys the fun of yoga, cats, gardening and encouraging others.

My dear friend, picked me up at the airport, and kindly drove me home. Each cat greeted me in their special ways as Bob and I hugged and kissed. I opened my luggage and all three cats rolled around in the smells of my journey.

I went into the kitchen to prepare for my morning practices. I saw Bob already purified my water and poured it into my cups. Such thoughtfulness and kindness touches my heart.

What acts of kindness have you been experiencing? What kindness can you offer? Ki to Happiness marvels in the kind gestures.

Today I travel from the home of my youth to the home of my choosing. I’m reminded of an old Tuck and Patty lyric, Heaven all the way to Heaven. It’s singing to me now.

Finding heaven anywhere, it’s possible to find it everywhere. That state of consciousness in which all is perfect, exactly as it is, becomes a choice. No doubt, all is correctly placed for each of us, myself, especially, to grow and evolve into the enjoyment of the spirit in matter.

Have you found heaven? Can you take it with you wherever you go? Ki to Happiness remembers to sing her way from home to home.

We attended mom‘s new church yesterday. The humble servants who minister to the congregation are great examples of regular humans doing extraordinary things. Just 1 mile up mom’s country road, she can conveniently plug into this community weekly or even more often.

I contrast that with the complexity and controversy of watching the Barbie movie with mom. Few joyful sounds issued forth from the screen or the audience as issues of matriarchy v. patriarchy, reality v. fantasy, old v. young were portrayed. At the end of the day, I recalled the exuberance of singing praise, willingly shaking strangers’ hands, and soulful shouts from the congregation as more appealing than the silent separate viewing in the theater.

What moves you to make joyful sound? Where do you witness regular human beings acting in extraordinary ways? Ki to Happiness follows what appeals to her soul.

I got my haircut yesterday by my mom’s stylist. I thought he might know someone I used to work with when I was a teen. After I got my towel and cape on, I asked him if he knew my former coworker by name.

He looked at me in shock and disbelief as he called out to his only other client in the salon. He had me repeat my question to her as both of their jaws dropped and eyebrows raised. Yes, not only did they both know him quite well, but they’d just been talking about him before I arrived.

Do you make sense of such coincidences by saying it’s a small world? Or maybe disregard it by saying it’s a small town? Ki to Happiness sees a small separation between people who are truly connected.

Mom wanted to go to the opening night of the epic movie, Oppenheimer. We got our tickets and arrived early for good seats, knowing we’d be in them for 3 hours. Absolutely spectacular and dramatic, we sat at attention as the story unfolded it’s complicated web.

Some have reported that seeing the movie changed their lives. While that was not our experience, it did give us deeper appreciation for the lives we live although the Barbie moviegoers looked like they had a better time than we did as we exited the multiplex. I’m not sure that’s what Oppenheimer intended the result of his efforts to become: safe and free enough to wear pink stilettos and spray tan.

How will you participate in this Summer’s blockbusters? What gives you deeper appreciation for your life? Ki to Happiness is grateful to accompany mom to the movie of her choice.

I saw a post advertising an old friend’s band playing a concert at a nearby venue where I once performed. I planned to meet with another friend there. As I arrived, my former mentor and supervisor saw me and got me to join her in line.

I escorted her to her seat where another old colleague greeted us. I thrilled at the coincidental convergence of my old friends and associates from college, internship, employment and private practice enjoying some Grateful Dead together. The decades disappeared into the gift of the present synchronicity.

Where could you run into four friends from decades ago? How comfortable would that reunion be? Ki to Happiness smiles and shakes her head at the coincidental convergence of the 5 of us at the same place at the same time.