August 2009
     Sent 8/31/2009

Sharing Creative Energy Newsletter
By Darla Arni

Sharing Creative Energy Newsletter is a free monthly, or whenever Darla can get it out, publication for clients, friends and subscribers who want to be more creative, energetic and productive in their life and work. © 2009 Darla Arni

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In This Issue:
     5 Ways to Cope with a Bad Day or Momma Said There’d Be Days Like This
     Quote of the Month
     New: “It needs to be said so it might as well be me!”
     Mensa Moment
     Darla Speaks Out!

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5 WAYS TO COPE WITH A BAD DAY or MOMMA SAID THERE’D BE DAYS LIKE THIS

It happens to us all, you wake up feeling out of sorts, crabby or cloudy.  You don’t know why, you just do.  If someone asks what’s wrong you have no answer.  If they ask you more than once you might bite their head off!  You don’t want to feel this way but you can’t seem to shake it and it’s just not in you to fake a good mood.  When those off days happen and you’re not your best self, there are ways to manage yourself so your mood doesn’t get out of hand and ruin your entire day.

1. Bite your tongue!  Don’t say everything out loud that pops into your head.  Activate your inner filter and block statements that could sound hurtful, out of line, or crass.  This is no time for bloviating; say what needs to be said with the least amount of words and move on.
2. Do no harm.  Lashing out at others physically or verbally, will make matters worse and could escalate into conflict you will regret later.  In every situation there is a choice point; choose to deal with your mood in a positive non-confrontational way instead of blowing it out of proportion.  I still struggle with this and beat myself over the head later when I realize how one comment or attitudinal gesture left undone could have saved the day. 
3. Breathe.  I’m not talking about the shallow, automatic, keep you alive breathing we take for granted.  Sit back in your chair, close your eyes and breathe deeply, from your diaphragm, in through your nose and out through your mouth ten times.  It sounds simple and you’ve heard me say it before but millions of people tap into this powerful practice that brings relaxation and clear thinking, and I believe you are worthy of it too.  Just when you can’t stand ‘it’ one more minute, purposeful breathing can bring calm to your chaos which is why it is often a key component in anger management programs.
4. Don’t fight it.  Your off feeling will not last forever and soon this bad day will be history.  As my mother always said, “This too shall pass”, and while I hated hearing it I have to admit she was right. (But don’t tell her that, okay?)  Accept your feelings as transient and get busy with life.  When I have off days I draw a sad face or write the words, ‘bad day’ on my planning calendar; more often than not, a week later, I have no idea what that bad day was about!
5. Be antisocial.  Really.  If you are having one of those days it’s a good time to avoid the water cooler, put off lunch dates and isolate yourself.  The time alone can be rejuvenating and keeps you from being aggravated by others.  Retreat into your personal cave of choice and emerge tomorrow a better person.

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QUOTE OF THE MONTH

“I merely took the energy it takes to pout and wrote some blues.”   - Duke Ellington

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IT NEEDS TO BE SAID SO IT MIGHT AS WELL BE ME

From time to time I hear something on the news or witness an incident that really gets me going.  Usually I just rant and rave in my office or around my family but I’ve decided to share selected rants with you and would welcome your opinions. 

So here goes, my first rant.  It is my habit to have my morning coffee as I take in the headlines on a national network morning show. On this particular morning the issue being discussed was “Is YouTube to blame for boys injuries?”  The Florida boy in question and some friends watched a YouTube video of a grown man in a banana suit setting himself on fire and mimicked the video by igniting himself after being dowsed with gasoline by a friend. (I am not making this up; read on.)  He escaped death but suffered second and third degree burns.  He, along with his mother and the neighbor whose house he was leaving when he ignited himself, were interviewed live by remote.  The boy stated he didn’t want to mimic the video, but his friends wanted him to and as he was leaving the neighbors garage they dowsed him with gasoline, threw him a lighter and told him to light it.  He then held the lighter away from his body and lit the lighter thinking the fumes wouldn’t be strong enough to catch on fire, and the rest is history. The mother was shocked, stating that she doesn’t allow him to be on the internet and it is difficult to control what he watches; note there was no mention of maybe he should stay away from gasoline and lighters too.  Mary Heston, Director of Wired Moms was very tactful in stating that many controls are in place by YouTube and other sites but with children it ultimately comes down to the “the filter between their ears” and she wants to make parents more aware of this.  So what do you think? Was this a parenting issue or is YouTube to blame?  Let’s take a vote!  Decide for yourself and view the video at http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/3041445 under More Parenting Advice.  It is a tragic incident and shouldn’t have happened.  I am all for more filters between the ears. There is always going to be gasoline, matches, pets, cars, fireworks, sharp objects, houses to jump off of with a cape, motor scooters, lawnmowers, the family car, the neighbor’s car, skateboards, microwave ovens, marshmallows to torture, and the list could go on and on.  Improve the filter; stop the madness.  Let me know what you think and please, do not try this at home!

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WHY AM I OFFERING PRIVATE TELESEMINARS?

• To fit your time schedule, not someone’s two time zones away.
• To save you time and money.
• Because not everyone gets to attend every conference.
• To share my much needed message with a broader audience.
• It just makes sense!

Audience members always come up to me after presentations and say, “I wish everyone in our office could hear this message”.  Well now they can!  Your office, department, branch or company can afford to schedule private teleseminars that address your needs, challenges, and unique set of circumstances.  Starting in September I will offer the following topics in teleseminar format:

• The Energy of Attitude
• The Creative Mindset
• Up Thinking in a Down World

Call today to schedule a teleseminar that fits your schedule and budget while bringing a renewed sense of power and commitment to your work environment!  You have nothing to lose and everything to gain!

For complete information and answers to all your questions call 660-529-2969 or email Darla.

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MENSA MOMENT

“Detective Slooth?  This is Sergeant Chiller from Thunder Bay.  We have been tracking a jewelry thief and he’s headed south toward you.  He is driving a red Honda Civic above the speed limit and he’s dressed for the weather, which is 30 degrees. I hope you can help us intercept him before he pawns off the goods.”  Detective Slooth sees a red Honda Civic coming into Duluth, but the driver is wearing shorts and a tank top. What should he do?

E-mail your answer to Darla. The first 15 correct answers will be entered in our prize drawing. Good luck!

Last Month’s Answer:

A cup of tea has one-half the caffeine of a cup of coffee, and two times the caffeine of a can of cola. 

Congratulations to our July drawing winner, Doug Vickers!  Doug, please email me an address so I can send your prize.

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DARLA SPEAKS OUT

The blog: http://www.darlaarni.com.blogspot.com/    Periodic reflections on the life we are living. This month, “How Full is Your Well?”

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Darla Arni is a Professional Speaker, Artist and Author of:
30 Ways to Share Creative Energy at Home
Sharing Creative Energy Newsletter.
Co-Author: Life Compass for Women
Co-Author: 66 Secrets to Less Stress

Sharing Creative Energy
e-mail Darla
660.529.2969 voice
660.815.7262 cell

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