What a great Saturday!

Hello Friends,

Today was a WONDERFUL day! George, Sarge and I passed out and posted flyers for my upcoming Kids Yoga classes, then went hiking on the Emigrant Trail off Highway 89, and took a drive down Historic US Highway 40 from Truckee to Soda Springs. It was a beautiful day for being out in nature. We saw a plethora of different types of wildflowers. Just beautiful! I'll post some pictures tomorrow.

When we started out this morning, I was going to show George my favorite trail, Pacific Crest, from the trailhead near Borreal off I-80 East of Auburn. When we got there, we found that the trail still had more than a foot of snow covering it, and it was pretty cool out. That is how we ended up at the Emigrant Trail, and what a fabulous experience that was! Sarge, George's little dog (part Llasa Apso and part miniature chihuahua), had a great time, too, running ahead of us on the trail trying to pee on every plant and rock in and off his path. LOL He is now very tired and sleeping like a log. Here's a photo George just took of 8 pounds of love lying on the couch, completely oblivious to the world.

Isn't it cool how sometimes you plan something that doesn't work out and you do something else just as, or even more, enjoyable? I could have just been bummed out that we didn't get to do what I had planned, but how much fun would we have had then? But don't you know people like that? If it doesn't work out how they planned they just can't have fun for the rest of the day? Or maybe even the week? I know people like that and I feel sorry for them. (Well, sort of...it's their own silly fault for being a control freak buzkill. LOL) I wonder how they get any enjoyment at all out of life.

The thought of being a control freak buzkill, and the consequences of same, is a near-perfect segue into the meaning behind my impromptu, open up the book somewhere in the middle, reading in the book "More Daily Wisdom: 365 Buddhist Inspirations" edited by Josh Bartok. This quote is by Jean Smith from "Now! The Art of Being Truly Present."

No matter how "noble" or "justified" our negative emotions may seem, we must acknowledge that indulging them merely plants the karmic seeds for later pain.

Basically, I look at this and think that whenever we are in a bad mood or feeling crappy, angry, sad, etc., no matter what someone else did or said, or what circumstances befall us in our lives, we are going to pay for our bad attitude. At the very least, we will suffer the bad mood or the crappy feeling or the anger, or sadness, etc. That is bad enough! Why then do we extend the bad feelings ad nauseam? Why not just feel it only as long as necessary, get over it and let it go? (I'm talking about time periods beyond the emotionally healthy and necessary for processing time. Denying our emotions isn't healthy, either.) Why do some people, and we all know "some people," maybe even us, hold on to bad feelings, sometimes for years? We can literally make ourselves sick by holding onto bad feelings, grudges, regrets, you name it. Talk about "karmic seeds for later pain!" Is your boss so-and-so's snotty comments about your what-not (probably because he is feeling pissy about his own "what-not") worth getting a migraine, an ulcer, or, even worse, an angina attack? HELL NO!

Life is too short to wallow in misery. Life is to be enjoyed and lived! If you have "control issues," learn to be excited about the unexpected. You never know what joy and opportunities abound in the unplanned. The only thing you really have control over is your own attitude, anyway.

Go live your life!!! If you manage to do it with positive emotions, you will create the karmic seeds for later joy!

In joy,

Jun-ri

Where did all the simplicity go?

Hello my dear readers!

Well, it's been a really, really long time since I've blogged. I used to do it every day. I used to do MANY things every day! And now I don't. I'm starting to really miss those things I used to do every day, and now don't, and it got me to thinking.

I was thinking about how knowing, and doing, the things I normally do keeps my life simple, and keeps me sane, because I KNOW what to do. I've gotten away from that, with an increasingly busy life. The thing is, my life isn't so busy that I can't fit things in. It is because I am not doing the things I would normally do every day that my life is so busy. That may not make much sense, but those things gave my life a structure of sorts. I need my structure back. With the structure, I knew where to fit in anything else that might come along. Blogging now, even at 11:15 p.m., is my cry for a little bit of structure. So help me out, here. Send me some good energy and prayers, and with your support I'll regain my structure and you can regularly read my blog. Deal?

When I was thinking this afternoon about writing my blog again, I was wondering what I would "talk" about. I used to read in one of my books, "Daily Wisdom: 365 Buddhist Inspirations," edited by Josh Bartok, and write my feelings and experiences with the topic, along with stuff about my daily life. It is an awesome book that I used to read every day. (Yeah, one of those things I used to do every day when my day had structure.) I closed my eyes and opened it up to this wonderful (no surprise there) quote from "Polishing the Diamond" by Jae Woong Kim.

People who enlighten me are all my buddhas. Instead of trying to find buddhas in high and precious places, shouldn't you be able to find your buddhas in your town, in your marketplaces, and in your streets? Everyone has valuable and enlightening qualities. If you learned and practiced those qualities, it would be like meeting the Buddha and practicing his teachings.

Wow. I love being reminded to be a better person and a little less judgmental of others, Everyone has something to contribute and some valuable quality(ies). This is something many of us could be reminded of, particularly in these economic and highly political times with so many people being so unhappy and blaming others left and right. What happened to the idea of respecting other people and their opinions, even if someone else's opinion isn't the same as yours? Does that mean someone else doesn't even deserve to live? People all around the world seem to have become so hateful and so prideful (in a negative way). That will never, EVER help! But that is the obvious example. The quote can apply just as easily to the more subtle thoughts and behaviors.

I used to think more often of treating each person, each being, I meet as if that person or being were the Buddha himself in disguise, much like some Christians are told to treat everyone as if that person were Jesus. Which is not to say, of course, that I have become mean or inhospitable in any way. I guess I'm just a little less mindful of my deep, spiritual beliefs during day-to-day interactions. I also have long held the belief that each person is put into my life for a reason, usually to teach me something about myself. Well, I can tell you that the second I forget that is the second a real teacher is put before me!

All this being said, and realized even more by the process of writing it, I am hereby renewing my structure and my best ways of moving and being in my world.

It's time for bed now. I have to get ready to meet some more buddhas!

Many hugs and best wishes,

Jun-ri

My First Video Blog

Hi Friends,

It has been a while since I've blogged and today decided to do a video blog. In the video, I talk about an afghan I knitted for my brother. Here is a photo of the afghan.


And here is the video. (I feel like I don't look my best and will wear a colored shirt next time, instead of a beige one, and more makeup. Plus, I will hopefully not have a cold and look so pale! I guess it's true that we are all our own worst critics...LOL) Enjoy!

Cheers,
Jun-ri

Busy Being Fabulous

Hi Buddies,

You may notice I like to title my blogs with a reference to a song title or lyrics. Today's song is Busy Being Fabulous by the Eagles. Love the song and the title was too good to pass up today. Click here to watch the video.

I've had a fabulous day, sitting on the deck in an Adirondack chair, next to the creek with my laptop and a glass of raspberry tea, just busily working away on work projects. I like to do that this time of year. It was a beautiful, warm and sunny day until about a half hour ago when some clouds came over the sky and a cool breeze started breezing by. It's still a beautiful day, but I'll have to wear a jacket when I go running in a half hour!

So you can experience this joy with me, here is a photo of my deck from last year. I don't have one from this year, though I just put out flowers and will take photos soon. I will post one of the creek when I take one, as well.



The other day I signed up to do a 5k, the first one I've ever done! I'm really, really excited. I haven't been able to find anyone who can go to Sacramento (where the race is) with me that weekend, but I'm sure I will be able to get someone to take a pic of me while I'm there. Click here to know more.

WooHoo the sun just came out! So, here is a spur of the moment haiku.

The creek runs past me
Babbling, running, singing song
Melted mountain snow

I've had some really nice meditations lately. They've been very mellow and it's been easy for me to get to a good head-space. When I'm in the midst of such a place in my meditation practice it can be easy to take it for granted. But, I'm feeling very grateful. I was reminded of a quote I read recently by Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche from his book Creation and Completion. "Everything depends upon your mind." For any of us who enjoy delving into spiritual or self-help topics, or who appreciate introspection, that is hardly a new revelation. But sometimes I forget that whenever I get something of value, it is usually because I've done something to bring it about. Of course, sometimes I just get lucky. And then there is the fact that when I don't get what I want I've probably done something to bring about THAT result! So,when it comes down to it, it's all a matter of accepting my own responsibility, for the good and the not-so-good. It all starts in my mind and snowballs from there. (Picture me making a mental note to be extra vigilant in watching my mind. Can you hear the wheels turning??? LOL)

I had the opportunity to introduce a new meditator to the practice a few days ago. It was an honor to be there to help him out and set him on a useful path.

Night before last I was in Reno at the Whole Foods store. I bought the coolest thing, a hanging basket with a trailing tomato plant, a basil plant and a parsley plant! I hung it in the roof eave, over my deck. I'm so excited because the bunnies and squirrels eat everything you plant unless it is already established, and sometimes they eat that, too, or it is out of reach, aka hanging up. The tomato plant is flowering, so I look forward to fresh, 2" tomatoes.

Before I went to Whole Foods, I bought some new running shoes that are so comfortable I feel like flying and running faster than my heart rate zone will allow me. My trainer, Norman, has to hold me back, reminding me that when I go out of my training zone I burn calories but I don't burn as much fat. I'm really loving having good shoes! I also went to a singles potluck. It was a nice time with nice people, good food and we played board games after we ate. A good time was had by all.

Well, it's time for me to get ready to meet Tina, my running partner. I hope you had as nice a day as I did, and that tomorrow is even better.

Cheers,
Jun-ri

I Wish I Had My Camera With Me!

Well friends, I'm back home from a week of training and have recuperated some. I had a great time and one thing that was really special was the Spring flowers in the desert. The Arizona state flower is the saguaro blossom, and the saguaros were blooming. It was beautiful and here are some pictures.

I love the saguaro blossoms. It was difficult to find a cactus bloom that was close enough to the ground, but I did my best!



While I was gone, I also wrote some haikus, but I have momentarily misplaced my journal. I think there are four of them.

While I was gone I gained a few pounds on the dessert that was served at every lunch and dinner! It will go away quickly, since I very seldom have any dessert at home. I went hiking twice while I was in Tucson, too.

Yesterday I went for a 5-mile walk with my friend, Tina. It was a nice walk; I stayed in my training zone nearly the whole time. But what was really special was the two coyote pups we saw! They were so sweet! They were so young and so small with such big, pointy ears they looked like little kittens. One of them was really quite brave and was very curious about us. He got quite close to us. That could be hazardous to the little pup if he isn't afraid of humans! I just feel so blessed to have been able to see them. Yep, I wish I had had my camera with me.

Anyway, the evening has slipped away and it's time to get ready for tomorrow....So, have a fantastic tomorrow!

Jun-ri

And, please, don't forget those animals!

I Left on a Jet Plane

Hello Friends,

I meant to write before I left, but I didn't! I'm just glad there is a computer I can use at the retreat center where I am! I am in Tucson, Arizona for the second half of LifeForce yoga training. I will learn more about how to use yoga techniques that help people with depression, anxiety and related issues. It starts tonight. The first half was in January.

I had a nice flight yesterday. I got the whole row to myself on both segments of the flight. I was able to stretch out a bit, read and take a nap.

Tonight, since it is the official start of the training, there will be more vegetarian food offered. The food hasn't been bad last night and breakfast and lunch today, but there hasn't been much for me to eat. They are feeding me three meals a day, but they are feeding other people, who aren't vegetarians, too. So...I've had a nice salad bar experience and some fruit. I had oatmeal this morning, with soy milk, so that was fine. I just had lunch a couple hours ago, though, and I'm pretty hungry now. I have some fruit and trail mix to eat, so I'll be okay. I am going to go take a nice walk before I have to register for the training at 4:00. I have a 3-hour break every day, and will try to get some cardio and strength-training exercise in. The temperature will be about 100 degrees the whole time I'm here, so I'll have to be careful I don't get too much heat. I'll be doing lots of yoga, though, so have some exercise already built into my week!

I'll write again if I get another chance. I'll be pretty busy, though, sooooo...maybe not. I'll be getting home on May 14, and will talk to you then for sure.

Love and hugs to you all,
Jun-ri

Everything is Blurry

Hello Buddies,

You may have noticed I've had a serious lapse in my commitment to daily blogging. It seems like once you let yourself go to bed without blogging, it becomes easier and easier. Just like cheating on your diet, or anything else, for that matter.

I've been unfocused the last few weeks. I've not been too bad with eating and have been keeping up the exercising. I've had a few lapses on the eating end, but it hasn't had too negative of a result, other than not losing any more weight.

I just haven't felt myself lately, and I've felt overwhelmed. It seems I still have one more mouse that likes to eat my cereal, unless it is bait in the live trap I put in my pantry last week. This mouse must have a bigger head than normal, since he (she, more likely LOL) is smart enough to not take the bait. I've just felt like there are too many things to do and not nearly enough time to do them. When I feel like that, I have to set a timer for 15 minutes several times a day, to prod me into doing things, or I will just do nothing but feel overwhelmed. Procrastination is an art and I am a procrastination artiste! Just give me a chance and nothing will get done!

I went to my Zen meditation group in Carson City this evening. It was great. The dharma talk is always good, but tonight Roshi's talk was really funny, in addition to being informative. I went right into a good meditative state and didn't want to come out of it at the end of the 30 minutes. It was fantastic!

I took Roscoe to the vet Saturday. It was time for his regular 6-month checkup, and he has a "thing" in his eye. The vet numbed his eye and took a sample. Turns out it is a fat deposit, probably because he is too fat. He's been on a diet this week and is really, really unhappy about it. I completely understand his feelings, but his whining would be really annoying if it wasn't so funny. I am soooo not starving him. He has plenty of hay and pellets in his cage. But he doesn't have extra dandelion greens, Italian parsley, carrots, strawberries, cherry tomatoes, or tangerine slices, which is what he REALLY wants. He woke me up at 7:00 this morning. THAT was not funny. LOL Squeak Squeak Squeak!!! LOUD. Did he run out of food? No. He had plenty of food.

Considering it is midnight, I am going to go to bed. But...I blogged before going to bed. So... I fulfilled today's commitment!

Cheers,
Jun-ri