September/October 2011
     Sent 10/5/2011

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. © 2011 Darla Arni

**************************************************************************
In This Issue:

          It's a Cow
          Full Plate No Fork
          Quote of the Month
          Mensa Moment
          Pass It Along

**************************************************************************

It’s A Cow

Yesterday was an absolutely beautiful fall day here in Missouri. In fact the last two weeks have been filled with picture perfect days complete with sunshine, soft breezes and cool nights. (I just realized I started last month’s newsletter talking about the weather too! Not sure why. I promise it won’t happen again.)

Because of the mild weather, our front door was open with only the glass storm door between us and the outdoors.  My daughter, Doran, and I were catching up on shows we DVR’d over the last couple of weeks while our Yorkie, Dexter, was resting on the couch beside me. All of a sudden Dexter goes into a berserk barking frenzy, pounces up on the back of the couch and starts pawing the window pane with agitation. I tried to grab him and shush him while I asked “What’s he barking at?” She looked out the front door and calmly replied, “It’s a cow.”

Yesirree, there was a cow coming down our street and as we watched it skirted around Doran’s car, darted into our yard, did a little shortcut over our shrubs and sidewalk before it  headed north on an adjacent street. I am no stranger to cows; I was raised on a farm and have had more than my share of cow experiences so it wasn’t a scary thing. It was a ‘where did a cow come from’ thing. As we stood in the yard watching the cow continue its great adventure a family in a golf cart zoomed by as the children exclaimed, “Cow on the loose, cow on the loose!” I assume the cow was apprehended, read its rights and as we speak serving time for its mad dash for freedom!

I saw a life lesson in this experience. Just when you think everything is calm and peaceful a cow comes along out of nowhere and takes you by surprise! Okay, maybe for you it isn’t a cow; it might be a recession, or a flat tire on the freeway, or the boss you really like gets a better job and leaves, or the furnace needs replacing, or you or a family member has an unexpected emergency, or you lose an important client to a competitor, OR? You get the idea, things happen that we can’t control. In fact, most of the things that happen to us we can’t control, but we can choose our reaction.

So how do you react to unexpected occurrences?

-Do you panic?
-Do you blame someone else?
-Do you ignore it and hope it turns out okay?
-Do you take charge and start barking orders?
-Do you make a plan but never execute it?

We all deal with the unexpected differently but I suggest the following as a good start:

1. STOP Take a moment for your senses to assess the situation before you react. That means no emotional outbursts, anger, or drama. For instance, I stopped instead of running down the street after the cow! Okay seriously, give yourself a minute before you do something you regret and/or react in a way that makes the situation worse.
2. BREATHE Take a few deep breaths. Breathing allows you to de-stress and take control of your mind so you can react more rationally. Oh boy, I wish I could take back all the times I skipped this step and said or did the wrong thing!  It doesn’t have to be a public demonstration; just pause and breathe till you feel it is right to continue.
3. THINK After one and two you are now in a position and frame of mind to make a plan, prioritize your actions and figure out how to set those actions into motion. Remember to ward off negativity while you think so you don’t spiral back into a stress mode. If I can do this you can do this!

What works for you when the unexpected happens? Share your ideas with me and I will compile as a list for all my subscribers. We live in challenging and complex times; let’s help each other along the way. Send your tips and wisdom to: Darla.

*Want to know where I first learned the STOP-BREATHE-THINK plan of dealing with life? I learned it from watching Blue’s Clues with my toddler in the late 90’s. I listened to Steve, Blue’s friend, say it so many times that it became a mantra. Wisdom comes in many forms; we must be ready to receive!

**************************************************************************

FULL PLATE NO FORK

Want wisdom, humor, DIY ideas and maybe a recipe or two? Check out my Full Plate No Fork Blog: http://fullplatenofork.wordpress.com.   The style is relaxed and more spontaneous and broad in scope so check it regularly or hit the Follow button to receive updates.

**************************************************************************

QUOTE OF THE MONTH

“Courage is not the absence of fear; it is the ability to act in the presence of fear.”

~ Bruce & Stan

*************************************************************************

MENSA MOMENT

How could you throw a tennis ball so that after traveling a short distance, it stops and returns following the same path? The ball cannot hit or be tied to anything.

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

The answer to the last Mensa Moment was: tat & tart; bide and bride.

Congratulations to Phyllis Guthrie! Send me your mailing address and I will send your prize!

**************************************************************************

PASS IT ALONG

Share this newsletter with a friend! If they sign up for my newsletter and give me your name you will be entered in a monthly prize drawing!

**************************************************************************

You may contact Darla with your comments or questions. There is no fee for Sharing Creative Energy and we welcome new subscribers.

To unsubscribe, to change your address, or to add someone, e-mail Darla. This e-mail list will never be sold or shared.

This publication is copyrighted but we encourage sharing it with proper permission and attribution and if our copyright is included.

*********************************************************************

Darla Arni is a Speaker, Artist and Author of:

Full Plate, No Fork New!
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

Home | About Darla | Energizing Presentations | Darla's Store | Clients/Testimonials | Video | Contact Darla | Sharing Creative Energy E-Newsletter | Links | E-Newsletter Sign Up