December Inspired Leap™ "Ah-Ha!" Newsletter
December 2007
Dear Dianna,
A few weeks ago I was walking my dog, Forest, in a park in Austin. I noticed the dedication plate in the center of a new park bench. Instead of saying, "in memory of," or "donated by," the phrase "Scatter Joy" was inscribed there. I had never heard that phrase before, but it really stuck with me.
I researched the phrase on the Internet and found this beautiful quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson:
There is no beautifier of complexion, or form, or behavior, like the wish to scatter joy and not pain around us.The holidays are not always as joyful or "picture perfect," as the commercials suggest. In fact, they can be painful or depressing. For me, focusing on spreading or scattering joy is easier than trying to talk myself into feeling better.
Sometimes it's easier to give to others than to give to ourselves. Yet, in this case, your gift immediately comes back to you. It's been proven that smiling, even when you feel miserable, has a noticeably positive effect on your body chemistry. So imagine what a concerted effort to scatter joy can do!
As you celebrate the holiday season (or not) and welcome in a new year, I urge you to find your own ways of "scattering joy" among the people you work with, live with, and celebrate with.
Consider doing one of these:
Even if you think of "scattering joy" as a bizarre thing to do in the workplace, I challenge you to give it a try. Remember that the energy you put out is the energy you attract in. You'll find "scattering joy" to uplift and energize others not only brings beauty to your life, as Emerson pointed out, it will also lighten your own heart, energize your spirit, and improve your relationships.
- Make an anonymous donation to an individual or family via a "giving tree" or charitable organization (who cares whether or not you celebrate the holiday yourself, it's still fun to give - especially in secret!).
- Take a walk downtown with a pocket full of coins and fill up an expired parking meter, so some hassled and harried shopper or businessperson can avoid an expensive ticket.
- If you're a manager, give employees some extra free time to do their own shopping or to let them sleep in. Or, take your team out for an early movie. Keep it easy and light - don't add to anyone's stress.
- Give one of the best gifts in the world - dedicated time listening with focused attention to family, friends, and employees to whatever they want to talk about. Shower them with the energy of respect.
- Whatever your holiday tradition, consider celebrating the "12 Days of Appreciation." Each day leave a note on a desk, a pillow, or in an email something you appreciate and value about the important people in your life.
Remind yourself to slow down and smile. You can't begin to imagine the true gift this is for hassled, harried people working in retail and service. Sure the drycleaner would love a gift card, but sometimes the extra hassle and cost isn't doable. But a smile and patience are priceless treasures at this time of year.
For me, the easiest way to scatter joy is to laughingly share my "joy boy" Forest with others. I hope the pictures below convey the joy Forest scatters without even trying. May they bring a smile to your face and heart.
I thank you for being a part of my life, and I wish you a joyful ending to 2007 and an exciting, healthy, happy, start to 2008.
With deep appreciation for you and sincere wishes for a phenomenal start to 2008,
With encouragement to leap ahead,
Dianna Amorde
President,
Inspired Leap Consulting Inc.Comments or questions about this newsletter? Email me at damorde@inspiredleap.com.
I look forward to hearing from you.. . .
If your company needs help with inspiring employees to reach new heights in productivity, creativity, morale, and integrity, please contact us at inspiredleap.com or 512-236-0090. If you need some more inspiration or more regular nudging to practice these steps, check out our website to see what's new to inspire you (a visit to The Quiet Room may be just what you need!).