December 2008
     Sent 12/15/2008

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. © 2008 Darla Arni

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In This Issue:
     Frazzle Dazzle
     Quote of the Month
     Mensa Moment

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Frazzle Dazzle

This time of year I find myself oscillating back and forth between two states of mind; Frazzle or Dazzle. The Frazzle part involves the planning, shopping, decorating, staying up late to wrap packages, struggling with deadlines, worrying about the weather, cleaning, baking, being exhausted, losing sleep, and endless list making of things to do.  The Frazzle part gets a lot of publicity and this year is exaggerated by news headlines and the reality of financial woes, bankrupt companies and bail outs.  Each day, TV stations, radio programs, magazines and newspapers offer up information on dealing with stress, depression, and health problems brought on by the Frazzle of it all.  Nobody wants to be around you when you are Frazzled; you probably don’t even want to be around yourself!

In contrast the Dazzle part is vibrant and alive with anticipation, twinkling lights, colorful packages, enticing smells and tastes of the season, celebrating, worshiping, being thankful, family time, feeling like a kid again, secrets, favorite foods, and hope for the coming year.  The Dazzle part doesn’t seem to get as much press but is equally important and necessary to offset the negative effects of the Frazzle effect.  Everyone enjoys the Dazzle part, at least to a degree, and years later it is hopefully the part of the season you will remember.

*If you’re Frazzled, check out these websites:

http://despair.com/ This site is hilarious and guaranteed to banish any bad mood.

http://www.chickensoup.com/  An oldie but a goodie that gets constantly updated.

http://abundance-blog.marelisa-online.com/2008/12/01/creative-thinking-techniques-the-playful-edition/   Great suggestions for Creative Thinking Techniques.

http://www.treehouses.com/ Just fun to explore and who wouldn’t want to escape to a tree house?

*If you are in the Dazzle phase and happen to like chocolate, try this amazing cookie recipe handed down to me from my mother who was, of course, one of the best bakers on the planet!

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

2 cups sugar
½ cup vegetable oil
4 ounces melted unsweetened chocolate cooled (I like to use baking cocoa instead and substitute 12 Tablespoons of cocoa and 3 Tablespoons of oil for the melted chocolate.)
2 teaspoons vanilla
4 eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup powdered sugar

Mix granulated sugar, oil, chocolate and vanilla. Mix in eggs, 1 at a time. Stir in flour, baking powder and salt. Cover and refrigerate at least 3 hours. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Drop dough by teaspoonfuls into powdered sugar; roll around to coat. Shape into balls. Place about 2 inches apart on greased cookie sheet. Bake until almost no indentation remains when touched, 10 to 12 minutes. Makes about 6 dozen.

So, how do you survive the Frazzle Dazzle? By remembering the Frazzle doesn’t last forever and, as my mother would say, “This too shall pass.”  Ultimately we create our own degree of Frazzle and Dazzle so it’s key to monitor your reactions and minimize the doom and gloom.

Wishing all of you a dazzling, creative and prosperous year ahead! See you in 2009!

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QUOTE OF THE MONTH

“Develop interest in life as you see it; in people, things, literature, music–the world is so rich, simply throbbing with rich treasures, beautiful souls and interesting people. Forget yourself.” 

                                      -Henry Miller

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MENSA MOMENT

Can you decipher these common Christmas Carols?

1. Happiness to the Global Ecosystem
2. Small male percussionist
3. I am pontificating of a colorless holiday
4. Festoon the Corridors
5. A Non-summer fairytale area
6. Oh holiday conifer
7. Ten plus two twenty-four hour periods of holiday festivity
8. Hey tiny city in Israel
9. In a remote location in a barn stall

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

Last Month’s Answer:

Pour water in the hole a little at a time. The ball will rise until it completely comes out of the hole.

Congratulations to Pam Clark for being drawn as our winner!  Pam, send me your contact information so I can get your prize in the mail!

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DARLA SPEAKS OUT

The blog: http://www.darlaarni.com.blogspot.com/

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NEED A LAST MINUTE GIFT?

Be Still note cards are available in packages of 8 cards w/envelopes for $5 (plus shipping).  And my online store offers artwork, booklets, e-booklets, and books!

Explore the store and pass the word along. http://www.darlaarni.com/products.htm. Or contact medirectly for orders, whichever you prefer.

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Darla Arni is a Professional Speaker, Artist and Author of:
30 Ways to Share Creative Energy at Home and the 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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