May 2008
     Sent 5/21/2008

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:
     3-Dimensional Living
     Be Still Products and new booklets
     Quote of the Month
     Mensa Moment

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3-DIMENSIONAL LIVING

Years ago as an art teacher, I would assess my student’s observation and drawing skills by having them draw four simple items, one to a page: a tree, a house, a person, and a dog at the beginning of the year.  Regardless of grade level, I would receive a majority of stereotypical, flat, one dimensional renditions of each object with little detail. Why, because they had no rich experiences or memories to draw upon. No wonder their work looked more like a coloring book outline than reality. From then on when we would approach a subject I would make it a multi-sensory experience before they were asked to produce. When we embarked on a leaf project I hauled in small branches of trees, bushes, and grasses; I promise no plants were hurt as a result of my gatherings!  They were allowed and encouraged to feel the stems and leaves, see how they were different and how they were alike, compare the back of a leaf to the front, notice the variation in colors because nothing is ever just one color, it is a combination of colors and shadings, smell the plants and use magnifying glasses to explore every detail.  As you can imagine, the work they produced after being immersed in a topic with all their senses was rich with detail, color, and expression. The difference was dramatic and amazed parents, teachers and even the students themselves!

What has this got to do with living three dimensionally? Too often we, like those students, rely on our limited experiences to make judgments and decisions every day. We perceive situations, food, music, individuals and even whole countries by an often outdated, second or third hand experience.  If you’ve attended a high school class reunion or happened to run into someone who knew you as a child, you know what I’m talking about. No matter what you have become, done or accomplished former classmates assume you to be as you were ten, twenty or thirty years ago.  Our experiences have changed us but those who knew us before often hold onto their past view of who we were.  Is it any wonder we have  discord and misunderstandings in the world? 

Let go of preconceived notions and expand your day to day experiences, pull yourself out of the rut of ‘same old, same old’ and learn to fully appreciate the variety that exists in the world.  Where do you start? Small, of course and work up!

1. Retrain your palate. Are you a regular who eats the same thing for lunch or breakfast? Is Wednesday always meatloaf and Friday pizza? Has it been years since you set foot in a new restaurant? Mix it up a bit and try that new Mexican place, give brussel sprouts a chance, or grill salmon the next time instead of burgers. The worst is you won’t like it and you get to try something else next!

2. Culture won’t kill you.  Do you remember a museum as some place an adult made you spend hours of time when you really wanted to be outside? Many museums today now have interactive exhibits; often feature local artists, and shows that change every few weeks. Check out what museums within a sixty mile radius have to offer and note the exhibits or special activities they have planned for the summer. 

3. Ear for music. I always loved stations that played music from my college years but shied away from current pop and country. Then my daughter got an iPod and as I downloaded tunes for her, guess what? I actually liked many of the songs! Now I find myself tuning into different stations in the car and learning lyrics to new songs. My taste of music has expanded and so can yours.

4. In your own backyard. Often we plan elaborate trips and vacations to far away places but spend little time exploring what is within a few hundred miles of our home. I’m not saying give up your get-a-ways, but also take time, save money and energy by exploring the sites within your area. A quick, on-line search can reveal a year’s worth of day and weekend trips to satisfy your quest for adventure.

5. Set in your ways. Do you always sit the same place at the dinner table, church, in the car, or the family room? We can become so comfortable in ‘our seat’ that we become irritated when someone dares to sit there! Let it go and try moving yourself around so you have a different view of the same old places. 

No excuses, branch out, stick your big toe in the water and dare to try something new. Be brave enough to open yourself up to new experiences, new points of view, and perhaps new connections.

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BE STILL art on canvas now available!

Original artwork by Darla Arni depicts common ways to quiet the world overlaid with a three dimensional “be still” on a museum gallery wrapped 1.5” profile canvas. Perfect for hanging or standing alone on desktops, bookcases, or ledges.  6”x 6” canvas for $25 plus shipping and handling. Larger square formats are available. Available soon through our website or email Darla for more information.

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QUOTE OF THE MONTH

“True life is lived when tiny changes occur.”

                      -Leo Tolstoy

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MENSA MOMENT

A remote town has two hair salons. The first one has a dirty mirror, a floor covered with hair, and the hairdresser has an awful haircut. In the second one, the mirror and floor are very clean and the hairdresser has a great haircut. Where would you go and why?

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

Last Month’s Answer:

The answer of course was; A Hole!

Congratulations to Jane Huff for being drawn as our winner! Jane, watch for your prize in the mail!

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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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