Archive: 2013

“I believe that the very purpose of our life is to seek happiness.”
~ The Dalai Lama

How important is where you live to your well-being and happiness?  While Buddhist philosophy teaches how to establish a more secure basis for happiness – focusing on internal rather than external means – there’s no doubt that environment and community play a role in our day-to-day life experience.

The term “gross national happiness” was coined in 1972 in the Asian country of  Bhutan, by their fourth Dragon King.   At first offered as a casual, offhand remark, the concept was taken seriously, as the Centre for Bhutan Studies, began developing a sophisticated survey instrument to measure the population’s general level of well-being.  Two Canadians also played a major role in developing the Bhutanese survey, which took a six to seven hour interview to complete. They developed a shorter international version of the survey which has been used in their home region of Victoria BC as well as in Brazil. read more

“Better the devil you know, than the devil you don’t !!”
~ Proverb

Our gray skies have passed, and it’s looking like it’s going to be a beautiful summer day here in the VI. TGIF !!

The past few days, I’ve spent pulling together my finances. And in doing so, I was reviewing some historical statistics which I keep for the villa. It brought to light the fact that I had dropped one of our listing agents a few years ago, one which didn’t seem to be performing as well as the others. Well, it turns out that the few extra bookings they provided are exactly equal to the drop we’ve been experiencing. Statistics are wonderful things! So I went out and added back our listing there, plus another commissioned agent. A proverb I often refer to in business is “you have to spend money to make money.” Fingers crossed that business will be on the upswing for next season !! read more

“I like these cold, gray winter days. Days like these let you savor a bad mood.”
~ Bill Watterson (Calvin & Hobbes)

Well, my bad mood is gone, although the forecast is calling for gray skies today, as a tropical wave quickly moves on through.

Where my bad mood went, it’s hard to say. Taking a morning nap with the cat helped. I worked on a project that I’ve been putting off – (why ruin a good mood with yucky work?) -But just getting started on it, I feel a sense of relief. I’ll have it behind me soon. I made a Moroccan Stew for dinner which filled my home with a wonderful, exotic scent: Cinnamon, take me away! Cinnamon is often used in aromatherapy as a physical and emotional stimulant. Researchers have found that it reduces drowsiness, irritability, and the pain and number of headaches. Instead of browsing Facebook after work, I started a new novel and left the TV off all day. Each one of these little things helped in a big way. read more

“Find the good. It’s all around you. Find it, showcase it and you’ll start believing in it.”
~ Jesse Owens

This morning – as a result of a cat fight and more media negativity – I woke up on the wrong side of the bed. Even the sunrise didn’t seem so happy this morning ….

“The wrong side of the bed.” Did you know that this saying originated in Roman times, where it was considered bad luck to get out of bed on the left side? read more