(defun reload-dot-emacs ()
  "Save the .emacs buffer if needed, then reload .emacs."
  (interactive)
  (let ((dot-emacs "~/.emacs"))
    (and (get-file-buffer dot-emacs)
         (save-buffer (get-file-buffer dot-emacs)))
    (load-file dot-emacs))
  (message "Re-initialized!"))

http://stackoverflow.com/questions/41522/tips-for-learning-elisp/59589#59589

An answer to the 'reload-dot-emacs exercise found here: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/41522/tips-for-learning-elisp/59589#59589

reload-dot-emacs

Emacs Lisp