Category: Uncategorized

After mom and I took care of our separate responsibilities in the morning, we had a precious afternoon of being girls together. We met out at her new nail salon for their services before having a late lunch at our favorite restaurant. In the evening, we watched a classic chick flick and had an early bedtime.

I am acutely aware of how precious these moments are. In my morning practice, I give thanks for all the healing and forgiveness that has been required for us to get here. Every effort has been worth it and I extend my gratitude to each person who has contributed to this trip.

 What efforts have you made toward healing and forgiveness? Who has contributed? Ki to Happiness thanks all who have made this precious journey possible.

Today’s super moon in the sign of Scorpio is called the beaver moon. It’s radiance beamed through the roof of my yurt like a spotlight. The wildlife talked about it through the night and let me listen in.

Fox in the valley sang their songs as deer brushed up against the side of the yurt and ground hogs burrowed beneath. Bird songs came as if it were dawn, not midnight. I rested back hearing their message.

What did this full moon illuminate in you? Can you listen to nature? Ki to Happiness eavesdrops on wildlife and shares its message: we are of this Earth, together as One.

At autumn‘s peak, driving up and down the Illinois River Valley bluffs took my breath away. I had to video along Grandview Drive to share. No surprise where it got its name.

As I concluded my videotaping, big winds whipped up and started bringing down the leaves. Swirls of red, crimson, orange, gold and yellow all combined in a kaleidoscope of nature’s beauty. Fleeting, I’m blessed to have been right here, now.

Where do you see grand views? What does that perspective do for you? Ki to Happiness sees beauty outside and introjects it within.

I’ve arrived at my yurt in what is called a Mast Year for acorns. The entire deck and grounds are completely carpeted in potential trees or ankle sprains. I got out the broom and swept a path for myself to enter and exit without hazard.

In safety, I practice yoga as I see the peek fall foliage of the river valley at dawn. This beauty enters my soul and casts out of any ugliness it took to get here. Hours with mom, chatting, dining, doing laundry all replace the challenges of scheduling, software glitches, time changes and the rest.

What do you need to sweep out of the way for your safe practice? What beauty replaces the ugliness you’ve been dealing with lately? Ki to Happiness lets go of the past to be fully present in the now.

Sometimes during travel, unexpected changes require flexibility. My hostess needed to dash out in the morning for some supplies so I joined her. I shortened my prayers and forgot to grab a protein bar in the process.

The beautiful, chilly, crisp morning drew us onward to take a walk in the woods at Allerton Park. Midway, low blood sugar made me weak and wobbly. I chose to return to my prayers and in doing so I had plenty energy to get me out of the woods.

How do you handle unexpected changes? Do you remember to pray when you are in need? Ki to Happiness walks and prays her way out of any woods.

This 3rd day of celebration venerates all the souls who’ve passed away. As I visit my old friends and family, we celebrate them as we cherish our precious time together. In this mysterious life, there’s no guarantee we’ll have another chance.

We spend more time reminiscing than making plans. We turn our attention to the beauty at hand in this autumnal peek with strong cool sun. Our farewell hugs last a little longer with wet eyes.

Who has passed away this year that you wish to remember on this day? Who is still living that may not make it to next year’s celebration? Ki to Happiness remembers to cherish this precious life and all of its mysteries.

After the festivities of Halloween, today is All Saints Day. We venerate all those beings who have proceeded us and showed us that miracles are possible. Each pathway shares an awareness that there have been those who are able to bring about supernatural results.

Invoking their assistance asks us to humble ourselves in the awareness of our needs. Following the rituals that demonstrate respect the outcome for which we petition their intercession is more likely. Today, I give thanks to St. Vincent Ferrer for fixing our toilet in the night.

Are you aware of miraculous possibilities? What miracle are you in need of? Ki to Happiness bows down to all those who’ve helped in miraculous ways.

My Halloween celebration began with stressful air travel issues. With breath and spine intact, I got all the help I needed to proceed to my destination. Arriving in my rental care to my girlfriend’s warm smile made it all worthwhile.

As we walked and talked, the stress was replaced by joy. Opening gifts and making use of them in our evening together with her husband and my brother reminded me that I prepared well for all this trip requires. Today I drive to continue this celebration with another girlfriend, with more preparations in place for some safe festivities.

How well have you prepared for today? Can you let go of the stress in order to enjoy this Halloween? Ki to Happiness wishes everyone a safe and stress free Hallowed Eve.

I started looking for my email alerting me to check in for my upcoming flight yesterday. It never came. I attempted to check in through the website but ran into the Alaskan Airlines software snag.

At first, I felt tense about it until I realized that this is not personal. Lots of other travelers are also running into similar issues as we have seen in the news. My morning practice will help me keep that attitude as I go through the process today of getting a boarding pass at the airport like everyone else.

How readily can you depersonalize issues? As you do so, can you still take responsibility for your part? Ki to Happiness depersonalizes issues while taking responsibility for her reaction. 

Now that we know that the fragrant candles are toxic to our environments, I’ve been experimenting with other ways of bringing in the seasonal scents. Most often I use essential oils or incense, and recently I received the lovely gift of an essential oil candle. Last night students commented on how good the studio smells.

I placed a cinnamon infused broom outside our entryway and a vanilla infused broom on the inside. On the stove, I’ve been burning lemon peels with water, affording its fragrance to freshen the mix. Altogether the combination is warming, clearing, and uplifting.

How keen is your sense of smell? What are your favorite scents of the season? Ki to Happiness chooses healthy ways to enjoy each season.