At Your Service
     Sent 12/20/2006

Sharing Creative Energy Newsletter
By Darla Arni

November/December 2006
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.
Past copies are archived on our web site: www.darlaarni.com.
© 2006 Darla Arni
************************************************************************
In This Issue:
At Your Service
Quotes of the Month
Mensa Moment
***********************************************************************
(Welcome to all of my new subscribers this month from MSTA, Maryville and my website!)

AT YOUR SERVICE
A few weeks ago I was speaking to a student group at Northwest Missouri State University about The Energy of Attitude.

As part of that presentation I talk about service and how I think each of us should think of ourselves as being in the service industry no matter what our job title. It is easy to be of service to others from November through December, when the media and organizations focus on helping others, but I challenged them to come up with ideas that make a difference to others year round. After giving them a few suggestions, I asked for ideas from the audience of what can be done, no matter what our income level, as part of our daily lives, to be of service to others each day.
Their response was amazing and included:
-Smile at someone today, it cost nothing but makes a big difference.
-Give anonymous gifts throughout the year that help others as you see need.
-Have a positive attitude when dealing with others improves their day too.
-Donate clothing and items throughout the year to shelters/clothes closets.
-Participate in service projects through organizations they belong to.
-Give of your time not just money; everyone has time even if they are broke.
-Send someone an encouraging note or thank you card.

I was impressed with their answers for two reasons; they understood that the little things we do each day can make a big difference and that income level has nothing to do with the difference you can make in another person’s life.

I have expanded on their train of thought with my ‘Little Things Mean a Lot” list. Look through this list and pick several to incorporate into your daily life and watch the world change.

Little Things Mean a Lot
1. Smile at everyone you meet today.
2. Send someone an encouraging note or thank you card each week.
3. Ask someone how they are and wait to listen without interrupting or telling your woes.
4. Open a door for someone who needs help.
5. Let the person with fewer items get in front of you in the checkout line.
6. When you take a coffee break, offer to fill up someone else’s cup.
7. On your daily walk or run, move someone’s morning paper from the street to the front door.
8. When you buy groceries or supplies, buy at least one item extra each time and donate to someone or a cause such as homeless or women’s shelters, children’s homes, etc.
9. Find out what your child’s school or preschool is in need of and donate something each month. This could be as simple as boxes of Kleenex, paper, or office equipment when you upgrade.
10. Contact a local nursing home and see if your talents or time could be of use.
11. Save your change for a month and pick a local cause to donate to.
12. Make it a point to ask a family member or colleague, “What can I do to help you?” It might throw them off at first but they will be pleased!
13. Clean out a closet, a storage box, your basement or attic and find places to donate items you no longer need.
14. When you are out for a walk or just walking across a parking lot, pick up trash you see along the way and dispose of it. I carry extra plastic bags in my car just in case there is no waste container in sight.
15. Call someone you haven’t talked to for a long time and listen more than you talk.

This is only a beginning. How can you help? Send me your ideas of “Little Things” and I’ll create a master list to share. Maybe it’s not that we don’t have the time or money, maybe it’s that we just don’t an idea of what to do.

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday season!
Help me change the world in 2007!

**************************************************************************
QUOTE OF THE MONTH
“The miracle is this-the more we share, the more we have.” Leonard Nimoy

“When people are serving, life is no longer meaningless.” John Gardner

“A life isn’t significant except for its impact on other lives.” Jackie Robinson
**************************************************************************
MENSA MOMENT
You have three cards: an ace, a queen, and a six. One is a diamond, one is a heart, and one is a spade, although not necessarily in that order.
The diamond sits between the queen and the heart.
The six is immediately to the right of the spade.
From left to right, what are the cards?
Email your answer to Darla. The first 5 correct answers will be entered in our prize drawing.

Last Month’s Answer:
He was smuggling bicycles! Congratulations to Sharon Murphy of Lee’s Summit. Please email me with an address to send your prize.

**************************************************************************
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 Professional Speaker, Consultant and Author of Sharing Creative Energy at Home, Life Compass for Women, and the Sharing Creative Energy Newsletter.

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