The end of the semester....yippee

So I had my last exam on Monday...I doubled checked my work, said thank you to my professor and left the classroom for the last time. I was so relieved I almost felt like crying. Way too much stress for me this semester. I am so thankful it is over...now the wait for the final grade has begun. I can only hope that next semester will be a bit gentler on my brain.....ummm

(This photo is a practice for me, its my pine cone arrangement from Big Bear. It worked! haha now I know how to upload photos....again yippee!)

Exams...and exercise

Another day...another exam....

Today I got up, went back to the YMCA, did a great workout on my old friend the elliptical machine. I visited with the dumbbells, the sit up board, and the treadmill. It was an hour of hell, but it was so worth it. I haven't been to the gym since the middle of September. OUCH. I was so into studying and working that I was neglecting the most important aspect of my life....to work off stress and help my "old" body stay in shape. I went yesterday also after class....I was so energised last night that studying was almost fun.

So after the gym I went to take my exam...I think I did OK. I came home to start the next study sessions and felt like...no, not yet, the dogs and I need a hike, but more importantly I needed to clear out all the clutter in my head so I could put some more into it.....Now my dogs are sleeping and I feel I can study more effectively.

My advice....Exercising is good not only for the body but for our minds....get up, get out and as my friend Kim says "smile a mile"!

"It is very important to generate a good attitude, a good heart, as much as possible. From this, happiness in both the short term and the long term for both yourself and other will come." Dalai Lama.

PAY IT FORWARD, please....

I had a really hard day at work the other day, lots of drama. I am not a drama girl, I like things to just roll along and whatever comes my way I deal with it the best I can and them move on to the next issue or problem. I have a hard time with people that are always looking for something to complain about or the ones that play endless head games with others. I just don't do well with those types...we all have problems but it does no good to make others miserable with complaints and criticisms. When I meet someone like this I try to redirect as much as possible with positive topics, sometimes though it is just not in the cards. Too sad.

So....after a day that I referred to as "one flew over the cuckoos nest", I came home and was welcomed by my awesome dogs who think I am just the best thing in the world, (this may have something to do with the fact that I feed and walk them) lit the fireplace and changed my clothes and was just about to unwind when my phone rang.....(first thought...what did I forget to do at work now?).  A person who is connected to a resident where I work called me to tell me I was doing good by her mother and she was grateful. WOW. Those words were so nice to hear, my heart nearly broke in half. It made me feel OK about my work and the way I try to treat others.

Though it is not always possible, and sometimes you may not feel so charitable in life...please try to pay it forward, a kind word can go along way in someones life. Sometimes it is the littlest things that can help a person feel much better.

"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible."   Dalai Lama

Thanksgiving

So here we are at another years end...first Thanksgiving, then Christmas and finally 2012. Wow did it go fast.

I went to Henri's today and the parking lot was crazy, lots and lots of shoppers for there Thanksgiving feast. The mad holiday rush has began.

I like to think of Thanksgiving as the time of year to reflect and enjoy the company of friends and family. I don't really get onto the whole "lots of food" type thing. A nice meal with friends is more than enough. I find myself thinking a whole lot about the word "gratitude" during this time of year. And it is with that thought that I would like to say I am grateful to everyone for all they do for me, for others and the world. I know I don't tell my Friends and family enough but I am now, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

In the rush of the holidays we may find ourselves overwhelmed with what society says the holidays to be. I try to ignore the glamour, advertising and the all out craziness of what was once a very honorable time of year. I live in the pay it forward mindset and I  know all those in my life do exactly the same. It feels good doesn't it? We all get what we give.  Life is just an endless circle.


May you all have a peaceful and restful holiday.
With much love
Jennifer

OK, so I admit I when I started this blog I was going to write in it at least once a week....
Well I have been in a "funk" for the last 3 to 4 weeks, so writing seemed to be a low priority to me. Besides, who wants to read about depressing whines and moans from someone? When the idea came to me to write a blog, it was to bring the positive meanings and thoughts to my friends and family members. It has just not been possible these pass few weeks.

However...things have changed and I had this thought...... the word "funk" can can two totally different meanings: the first meaning is to be depressed and the second can mean music with a funky beat. So over the last week I have turned my "funk" into music.
The music? It's the words and messages I play inside my head.

Life is wonderful
I am grateful
I have so much and need so little
I have the best bad little dogs around
and mostly I have the best most supportive friends and family anyone could hope for.

Thank you all for turning my "funk' into the funky again.

"The rule of friendship means there should be mutual sympathy between them, each supplying what the other lacks and trying to benefit the other, always using friendly and sincere words."  Buddha.

So...what gives with the title?

              I have always been interested in Buddhism. After studying it for a semester I have found an even greater interest in the religion, but more so for the teachings and wisdom of Siddhartha Gautama Buddha then anything else. To simplify the story, Buddha was a prince, who wanted nothing of the richness of the family and ventured out and saw four things: a hermit, an old man, a diseased person, and a dead body. This led Buddha to believe that life was a circle of suffering and he gave up the comforts of home and decided to explore the world and learn. He turned to meditation and during once such time sat under the Bodhi tree and looked for the truth of life.....
             Yes, I have made a intense and interesting story way to abbreviated, but you get the message. The symbolism of the Bodhi tree is what I am using here in my blog, a place where I can sit and think of life and all the many lessons it has to teach me and with that share with you my friends. But no worries, life lessons need not be sad, depressing or the like, they can be more often than not made of happiness and peace and laughter. Welcome.