Students arrived last night in the epic downpour. Grateful for power and yoga practice, we began as usual with sun salutations, and then shifted into a flow which I have called salutation to the rain. With four students, we had plenty of room to honor their desire to work with at the barre after we warmed up.

Just above the barre, I have placed several holiday decorations, including a collection of sacred bells from around the world. Inspired by the group, I suggested we each ring a bell after particular practices. It helped clear the energetic release of tension and stress prevalent at this time of atmospheric rivers and holiday preparations.

Are you familiar with the use of bells as a tool for energy clearing? How are your holiday preparations coming along? Ki to Happiness prepares for our upcoming solstice celebration on Sunday by clearing tensions and whomping up some treats!

As our neighbors to the south respond to their emergency evacuation order, we stay high and dry. Pinehurst is at a higher elevation (hurst) and the pine trees hold the land in place even by our near creek. We are grateful to still have power, with all the limbs leaving our lines alone so far.

My day begins in gratitude for these simple pleasures. Focusing on these blessing expands into awareness of many other blessings: health, cats, food, water, yoga, plumbing, and enough of all essentials. Together with Bob, we face life’s challenges from a heart illuminated by the One in All.

Do you have enough of all your essentials? Can you focus on what you have instead of what you lack? Ki to Happiness has a heart full of light, and the ability to access it since we are high and dry. 

Long ago, I studied the Lord‘s prayer in its original Aramaic language. Many translations have offered various interpretations. I practice tethering my favorite interpretations to my chakra system daily with my bathing ritual.

Yesterday I received a fresh version of it, which I listened to during my walk. It affirmed what I’ve been doing with the prayer thus far. It also broadened my appreciation of the original words and all who’ve studied them.

What do you listen deeply to?  How does it affect you? Ki to Happiness listens deeply to Higher Power as any material is presented to feel if it resonates with truth as I understand it.

One of our students who livea near by offered his laundry facilities. I took him up on the offer and did one load of towels. With fresh clean bath and kitchen towels, we’re good for a while as we wait for property management’s solution.

I’m visualizing a new stackable washer dryer unit that requires no venting. I’m praying it is installed by 12/25. I’m not sure Santa’s sleigh can deliver, but I’m still a believer in the magic of Christmas.

Do you believe in the magic of Christmas? What would you like to visualize? Ki to Happiness imagines a world of peace and goodwill, and a laundry that brings comfort and joy.

With a break in the storm systems, I could hang our holiday lights up outdoors. I decorated them with some birdseed ornaments to attract our feathered friends. We all love looking out the window to all the different species that grace our space.

The woman who cleans for us weekly made me step back and take a look. She pronounced our whole space, inside and out, beautiful. The lights, ornaments, boughs, bows, the red area rugs all together invite festivities throughout the season.

What lights you up? How do you participate in this season of light? Ki to Happiness lights the lamp in her heart with each yoga practice to shine the way through darkness.

Finally, our property management sent around the maintenance worker yesterday. It’s been two weeks since the washing machine broke while it was full of Thanksgiving laundry. It looks like we are likely to get a replacement for Christmas.

During this month without such convenient facilities, I have resorted to laundry fasting.  Turning my pajamas inside out, washing undergarments by hand, and otherwise reducing my needs has helped me in the past. I’m grateful for all I’ve learned while traveling, living on the skinny, and otherwise being resourceful.

What skills have you learned under duress that come in handy? How resourceful are you? Ki to Happiness has learned that everything we experience is useful.

As a Reiki Master, I’ve befriended others through social media who offer their healing energy on those platforms. One of them who passed away led to my offering in his stead. Another one, however, crossed a line, requiring me to tune up my digital discernment.

I post a daily Reiki infused candle picture for others to benefit from as they simple gaze upon it or place their hand on it a take a few deep breaths. I’ll continue to offer this daily. I have unfriended and blocked the bot that impersonated a Reiki practitioner.

How is your digital discernment? Can you tell the difference between real and unreal posts online? Ki to Happiness grows in discernment on all levels, including digital.

I’ve opened the windows this morning to 55°. The wind blows in all the way from the Philippines as the atmospheric river stretched thousands of miles from there, connecting us all. I nearly smell the chilies and bananas that grow there.

Our area has been in a bit of a storm shadow. As we retain our power, we are blessed to continue along our well-worn path of yoga instruction and private sessions resourced daily through our practices. I spread that blessing on the wind to its next destination, as it heads onward to those farther east.

What blessings are you aware of this morning? Who do you offer them to? Ki to Happiness counts her many blessings daily and offers them to all who read these words and beyond.

This atmospheric river brought lots of rain and wind to our region. It threatened our power and nearly kept us in from our walk. After securing our HYC signs, we ventured out between gusts.

Mild temperatures greeted us as we shed layers of overdressing. Other neighbors snuck out to walk their dogs which we gave treats to. Returning, we were joyous for our treats, too: fresh air, full body movements, friendly neighbors, good dogs and a little conversation between us.

Can you time your outings to align with natural forces? Are you grateful for the cycles and seasons and all they bring? Ki to Happiness is grateful to be able to change with natural forces and align with the seasons.

One of our community members delivered a large collection of pine and cedar boughs from his trees. I used them to decorate our space, together with several red and white florist’s bows. The effect is natural, fragrant and simply beautiful.

When I finished, I sat in my nook and played some holiday songs on my guitar. Sipping Oatnog with nutmeg, I enjoyed my personal festivities. Today, I’ll spread a little of that cheer around to my students and clients, then hang some more lights to brighten these dark days.

What helps you feel festive? Where can you spread cheer today? Ki to Happiness spreads good cheer with boughs and bows.