Author: Ki McGraw

The seasonal change is bringing us closer to peak autumnal colors. Fog enhances the drama, highlighting contrast. Walking in the crunchy leaves, smelling them decompose, my steps turn into skips of delight.

Releasing the past, like the leaves that fall brings me into harmony with the season. As the outer and the inner reflect one another, the division between dissolves. This is one of the meanings of yoga, Union, of me with All.

With what are you united? Does that union bring you peace? Ki to Happiness Unites with All.

In 1969, the song Everyday People came out when I was only eight years old. It inspired my love for music and dance, as well as my Aquarian heart’s dream. Rocking out and singing along, I imagined the world in which we were all able to get along despite differences.

Yesterday when an arson set fire to a tree stump in our near park, I called 911. Cops and firefolks helped put it out. These Everyday people are champions who I thanked wholeheartedly.

What every day people deserve your expression of gratitude? Which could use a prayer for guidance, like the arsonist? Ki to Happiness is Everyday People.

On a great morning such as this when I sit into my simple practices and breathe, a smile arises from deep within. My eyes soften with moisture. In my inner ear I hear my mother’s voice saying “marvelous”.

I share this tender moment with you to encourage you to keep going. Keep letting go of what does not serve you so that you can embrace what does. Look for times and spaces in which smiles lift your lips without an outside stimulus and your mother’s love for life comes up from the depths of your consciousness.

When was the last time you smiled for no apparent reason? What word bubbles up from deep inside the well of you being with that smile? Ki to Happiness marvels at Us.

The great psychiatrist Carl Jung stated that our ego wakes up 45 minutes after we arise. Whatever we do in those first 45 minutes sets patterns for the whole day. In this way he confirms what spiritual teachers have always recommended, which is to engage in consciousness practices first thing.

As I practice balanced breathing in my first 45 minutes each early morning, I establish the desired pattern of being mentally and emotionally balanced all day long. From a balanced perspective I make better choices for myself. One day builds on the next, deepening and keepening choices that bring me peace to offer to the world in which I serve.

What do you do first thing? Can you find time for conscious breathing by yourself? Ki to Happiness breathes in and out for 10 heartbeats anytime she needs to dip back into her truest intention- to serve as an instrument of peace.

I awaken to the remnants of last night’s well attended class. A left behind water bottle, Bob’s cell phone with it’s square attached, and my tights over on the prop cart all remind me of the joy we all shared. Settling into my practice, the cats and I looked out at the fog in amazement. Then another cat’s face appeared at our window.

Hissing and the vocalizations of their boundary dispute slowed my progress. Frequent interruptions from the four felines didn’t deter me. Instead, I thought it best to let this cat see what we do here in the morning, just in case she becomes a regular.

How do you handle distractions during your practice time? Can you utilize your practices to deal with the distractions? Ki to Happiness witnesses her reaction to distractions which helps her do so when not practicing.

In the unseasonable warmth, I took a walk exploring our new area alone. Chanting, I passed by a nice green space where I’ll walk another time with Bob. As my chanting concluded, I arrived at my nearest hardware store about a mile away.

I entered it as if it were a time capsule. Hardware stores always take me back to growing up in my grandfather’s basement which he organized with aisles and shelves filled with tools and materials to care for our family’s humble life. When I lived on Kauai, my first yoga studio required a lot of trips to the hardware store to bring it back from the damaging hurricane Iniki, repairing my soul as well as the floor, the walls and windows.

Do you have places that are like time capsules for you? What part of your soul do you retrieve there? Ki to Happiness retrieves her resilience and work ethic in aisle 18 with new house numbers and a fresh mailbox.

I slept well as the cats and I have worked out our rhythms. They no longer insist on me getting up at 3:30 for feeding. Instead they come close by and rest as they wait for me like they used to before this big move 2 months ago.

This morning, as I open my eyes I noticed the lights on which illuminates my statue of archangel Michael. I didn’t realize cats had the ability to turn on switches. If not them, it’s completely mysterious as to who turned the light on.

When faced with mystery, what do you make up? Can you allow yourself to embrace the many things you do not yet understand? Ki to Happiness loves the mystery and Whoever turned the light on.

There’s the old joke about how to get to Carnegie hall. The punchline as many of us know is practice, practice, practice. It is funny, because it’s unexpected, simple and true.

With yoga, there is no Carnegie Hall to get to. Instead there is peace, serenity, and the bliss of accepting life on life‘s terms. The directions are still the same: practice, practice, practice.

How is your practice? Is there a need to start to practice, continue, or adjust it to meet the ever changing needs of life? Ki to Happiness practices daily, first thing, midday, in the evening as well as in between as needed.

I awaken this morning from deep long sleep. I had no dreams to disturb me. Hungry cats waited patiently for me to arise.

Refreshed and rejuvenated, I sit in my practice of mantra, pranayama, meditation and prayer pain-free, clear of head, with an open loving heart. I am content and peaceful on this last day of September. This is my choice.

Are you content and peaceful? How does September end for you? Ki to Happiness chooses well.

Washing away the smoke from the air and the ashes from the leaves, gentle rain fell yesterday. Our first rain of autumn brought with it the uplifting scent of renewal. I walked out into it and let it sprinkle my head, hair and face.

Elsewhere, hurricane Ian pounds Florida. Russia and the Ukraine exchange atrocities. From my space of renewal I send prayers for peace and protection outward.

What prayers can you send out today? Are you in need of renewal yourself or can you offer your attention to others? Ki to Happiness has been blessed by the first gentle rain of the season and offers her attention to others in greater need.