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While the much of the rest of our country is facing a huge ice and snow storm, we are blessed with our first hard freeze. Natural cycles hit reset, with insects dying off and bulbs slowing their progress toward blossoming. The clear skies bring us much appreciated Vitamin D, too.

As we warm up a bit today, I’ll rehang the tender ferns for a little sunshine. After classes, our community will turn toward the big Seahawks game. They’ll benefit from these conditions, and may make it all the way to the Super Bowl, delighting fans and uplifting Seattle.

What benefits do you see in winter weather? Can you give thanks for a hard freeze? Ki to Happiness practices yoga in all kinds of weather, finding connection to the Higher Power in natural cycles.

It’s hard to change habits for all of us. Our new washer/dryer combo requires we adapt to its smaller load capacity and longer cycles. Guidance prompted me to throw in a load for Bob before it got too big last night, but I didn’t.

This morning, corrected that. As he sleeps on, I snuck up into his dark quiet space and retrieved his overflowing laundry basket without disturbing him. It’s in the works now, as I correct myself, not him.

What habit would you benefit from changing? Can you work on that instead of trying to get others to change their habits? Ki to Happiness changes the habit of ignoring Guidance as Bob figures out he needs to change the habit of doing smaller loads.

When someone passes away, the survivors benefit from making right offerings. The Balinese set aside 3 days for open communication with the deceased to resolve any lingering issues as they honor them. In this way, loving someone who’s not here anymore moves the grief forward.

Having learned this, I got help to make right offerings for the late Bobby Weir at his local memorial gathering. The cashier at QFC discounted the 108 roses, my friend gave me transportation to deliver them and still I returned home for an early night. “Nothing left to do but smile, smile, smile” as the lyrics to He’s Gone go, now that the grief has found its expression.

What do you do with grief? What rituals and memorials help to move the grief forward? Ki to Happiness expresses grief through making right offerings.

When Bob returned from golfing with friends on Tuesday, he was chilled to the bone. Before bed, his hands were still cold, his affect flat, without any motivation to improve his condition. Seeing his state, I stopped what I was doing, and got him a cup of hot water to hold and to sip, since he refused any other effort and would make no effort on his own behalf.

He woke up yesterday morning revived, to my great relief. As he set out to golf again, he changed several of his behaviors to avoid a repeat. That helped me to revive my confidence in his ability to care for himself and further relieved me of any responsibility for his choices and consequences.

Are you willing to make the effort to improve your condition? Can you take responsibility for your choices and consequences? Ki to Happiness relinquishes responsibility for others and their choices as an effort to improve her own condition.

Our midwinter Sun has shifted into the sign of Aquarius. With it, several other planets are also in Aquarius right now. For Aquarians like me. this brings energy and clarity.

That’s not necessarily the case for others. The sign of eccentricity, aloofness, innovation and humanitarianism often is misunderstood. With maturity, the rebellious nature of the sign can develop into helpful social reform.

How can you best work with the energies upon us now? What social reform could you envision for humanity? Ki to Happiness reforms herself to be a better human.

My MLK day began with my accountant. I was surprised he was working on the national holiday like me. He said I was the first one this year to submit my information, that all is correct, and now we just wait for one more form from the government to file taxes.

Instead of procrastinating, which only increases anxiety, I’m happy to be his first one this year! I share it with you to encourage you to shed any anxiety and procrastination so that you make good use of the tail end of the snake year. When the fire horse comes riding in on February 17, you’ll be glad you did.

What tasks do you put off? What is the reward? Ki to Happiness puts off procrastinating, which rewards me with freedom from anxiety.

Hatha Yoga Center hybrid classes celebrate this national holiday by continuing with our regular schedule. These practices support our dreams of a better world. As we each take responsibility for ourselves, we become better at manifesting that dream.

Remembering Martin, as well as the others who’ve given their lives to benefit us all, brings us humility and courage. As each of us awaken from the programmed conditions, we become aware that we can choose again. We are free to breathe, lift our heads, and connect with the One who inspires us all toward peace, kindness and tolerance.

How will you honor this holiday? What helps you live your dreams? Ki to Happiness dreams of a world where we all behave like cells in One healthy body, doing our separate functions in peaceful harmony.

I break my fast with intentions on this new moon in Capricorn. I envision health, harmony and lasting peace within and without. I willingly align with these energies to build my vision and support its manifestation.

I do so, free of all that I’ve released and shed. I look for further opportunities to let go so that next month’s Lunar New Year which opposes my sign I respectfully honor. I imagine all things working out in right timing.

What intentions would you like to set? What are you willing to do to build those intentions with your actions? Ki to Happiness builds one day at a time, delightfully participating in cultivating one functional Family, united and thriving for the next 300 years and beyond.

As I begin my gentle fast today, time already slows down. Without need for gathering food, making it, eating it, cleaning up afterwards, digesting it, and processing it, there’s more time available for other purposes. Giving my body a chance to rest in this way as I digest myself, I know I will be renewed in the process as I have experienced many times.

I have at my disposal all that is necessary to support this brief fast. I’m grateful this year that my annual fast day lands right on the Capricorn new moon. I will make the best use of it, setting intentions for a healthy, happy and productive new month, especially as we conclude this year of the Snake and shed all that is no longer viable.

How do you slow things down? Can you lighten your diet if not fast? Ki to Happiness breathes deeply, inverts the body, and fasts to experience the ever present Now.

Tomorrow is my annual fasting day. I prepare for that today. My efforts include alkalizing my diet and gathering supplies for healthy juices.

Yoga compliments the fast. Movement and meditation facilitate the process. Especially as we near the new moon in Capricorn, it gives me a chance to deeply clean any untoward residue in my body and focus my mind on the last shedding efforts of the end of the Snake year.

What is your experience of fasting? Is there anything you have left to shed? Ki to Happiness experiences fasting as the fastest way to health, and sheds all but gratitude for the natural processes that sustain us.