On this Monday, we honor The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Junior, heroic civil rights leader assassinated for the cause. I was a kid in the 60s. Raised in St. Louis where there were a lot of racial conflicts. I remember singing along with the radio, “Anybody here seen my old friend Martin? Can you tell me where he’s gone?” The rest of the song was a tribute to other fallen leaders. Recalling it this morning brought tears to my eyes.

These are tears of compassion. I feel for us all and all we have been through regarding diversity and equality. There is tremendous progress occurring, highlighted by the times of tremendous backlash, like the insurrectionist mob demonstrates. Now many voices are able to identify the source of the conflict as being “white supremacy“. Others refer to it as the fall of the dominant caste.

Do you identify with being marginalized? Can you celebrate this hero of human rights, and racial equality? Ki to Happiness knows where Martin has gone… to right here and now… in the hearts of those who remember.

On this, my annual fast day, I celebrate Saint Anthony of the Desert. I petitioned him years ago to help me with a skin ailment. I tried everything else: medical doctor, alternative healthcare, changing my diet, petitioning other saints. I’ve been symptom-free for years now.

I like to cover my bases. I believe the combined approach is what has brought me here. Demonstrating an ongoing willingness to be humble enough to reach out, and grateful enough to show my appreciation may be just “what the doctor ordered”.

Are you willing to reach out if it meant fasting? Would you be willing to express your gratitude by fasting? Ki to Happiness fasts as part of this healing celebration.

I begin writing immediately following my morning practices. I awaken early so I can luxuriate in stillness and silence, relatively free from EMF bombardment and the din of urban dwelling.

Just as I share that, one of our shelter free neighbors start singing loudly. Instead of feeling irritated or interrupted by it, I can appreciate his nonviolent expression. The sound of an airplane overhead replaces his song. Soon, my husband will be up with his computer and the whole district will come alive with activity, movement, sounds and the subliminal vibration of technology filling the air waves.

When do you allow yourself to experience stillness? What guidance do you hear from within as you listen in silence? Ki to Happiness awakens in still silence.

Making any progress or headway at this time feels like swimming upstream in sewage. The combination of the pandemic, the holidays, and the impeachment has hindered energy flow.

Facing this with honesty freed up a couple spurts of creative juices for me. I wrote a bad poem about it. Later, I danced to an old favorite Grateful Dead song.

Are you feeling stagnant? In facing this now can you also feel a spurt of energy? Ki to Happiness spurts.

At this historic moment, we are living through the only time a sitting president has been impeached twice within one term. This validates the pain, struggle, and challenge of the last four years. Being governed by this man and his administration exposes vulnerabilities both personally and politically.

Feeling the need for protection, I wore my blue hoodie and jeans, like I did when I was a kid and I felt scared. This simple uniform has seen me through some of the worst parts of my life. The ritual of dressing becomes another opportunity for self-care and soothing.

How has the second impeachment of this president effected you? What will protect you during this vulnerable time? Ki to Happiness feels invulnerable inside her simple uniform, in yoga practices, aligned with truth.

Presently, we are under the influence of the first new moon of the year. This augurs a time of setting intentions for the next month and year. It falls just as we are preparing for the inauguration next week. In this way, our intentions are likely to affect the whole next administration.

Often, we feel powerless. Instead, on this New Moon let’s call on the strength and resilience that has seen us through until now and direct it toward the heart’s true desires. Health. Peace. Justice. Liberty. Love…

What are your heart’s true desires? Can you take a moment today and envision them being met? Ki to Happiness joins you in your strength and resilience.

Now that we’ve entered Phase 1 of “Healthy Washington” Hatha Yoga Center and other “low risk sports” establishments can have up to 5 “athletes” for practice. This is further encouragement, clarifying the statement our governor made last week.

Safely, our spiritual “athletes”are able to return to HYC and we welcome back our stable group. Private sessions continue. In the other Washington, may such guidelines prevail, so healing can occur as Impeachment looms.

How have the new guidelines effected you? Staying safe as you venture out a bit? Ki to Happiness reopens Hatha Yoga Center.

January 11, 2021 is the first day of our new two phase program of reopening businesses in our state. “Healthy Washington “begins today with new guidelines. If in two weeks, we meet the requirements, we will shift into phase 2.

This enables the Hatha Yoga Center to now allow one student in for class with one teacher. This change will not affect us much, and yet it is encouraging. Especially as the remnants of the Ballet Studio are being removed as they will no longer share this building with us.

How will the new program affect you? What do you find encouraging? Ki to Happiness and Hatha Yoga Center support “Healthy Washington”.

Proceeding during this time of uncertainty, I am prioritizing safety. The potential for another mob of insurrectionists in our nation’s capital has my attention. I am not alone in this, as many are actively securing our democratic republic.

In this Washington, I am safe. Yoga practices bring me to steadiness, keeping up with the daily disturbances.Where ever I am, safety goes with me. A zone of conscious intention surrounds me.

How safe are you now? Can you extend that safety to others? Ki to Happiness extends her portable safety zone to you.

Watching the video of Representative Kim clean the rotunda after the mob insurrection brought me to tears. Grateful for his humility, and his willingness to roll up his sleeves and to do the right thing, moves us. In the right direction…

When one demonstrates an inability to lead or follow, it’s best if they get out of the way. Gracefully on one’s own, or with a police escort are two choices along the continuum. Whatever it takes to clean up the mess must occur. Rep. Kim has shown the way.

Did you see the video, too? We’re you moved, as was I? Ki to Happiness rolls up her sleeves.