Life has a way of giving subtle hints, gentle nudges, and downright shoves, if circumstances call for it.

Humans have only begun to tap into power they have - namely, their minds. If only we could harness more of mental energies, and abilities, cures and solutions would be found, but it is also guaranteed that for every solution found, a new challenge is just rearing its head.

When we become friends with life, become comfortable with all its quirks, then we find true peace as well as a renewed energy to achieve and reach whatever goals we set.

In everyday life there should be time to work, and time to dream. There needs to be a balance between outweard actions and inside nurturing of self. The old saying, "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy," carries with it a lot of wisdom. To dream is to be - it is time we give our mind, our hears, and our souls R and R it needs to revitalize, repair, and reach out.

If life right now is giving you back some bad vibes and throwing in towel seems only way out - then, my friend, readh for any history or science book within your immediate grasp. The world did not evolve into wonder it is today nor have previous generations gone way of dinosaurs, but instead they have left legacies of knowledge, expertise, and experience. Throwing in towel is for birds - but I've yet to see one actually do it - have you?

The world is definitely your field of glory, and mine, and your neighbors, and so forth. We are players, and goal posts are there. All we have to do is use our minds and figure best way to get from here to there, in spite of opposition breathing down our necks ready to tackle our every move.

We can do it - if only we set our mind to it. ENJOY! ©Arleen M. Kaptur 2002 September

3. Neatness doesn't matter unless scribble really bothers you. The important thing is to get your thoughts down quickly. At best, your brain will always outrun your pen.

4. Write yourself questions and then write answers. This is one of important keys to Empowered Maturity Journaling. Let me give you an example.

This morning I felt fine until I woke up. Immediately I noticed I was uptight. No particular reason. Just a new day. And I knew by way I was feeling, I could look forward to some tension and irritations.

I immediately went into my home office, grabbed my current Journaling Book and wrote this question. "Exactly how do I feel right now?"

I wrote out a complete description. What muscles were tense. How my stomach felt. I did a top to toe analysis. I didn't bother asking why I felt way I did. Even if I could pinpoint problem I wouldn't reenforce it by writing it down.

NEXT, I WROTE, "HOW WOULD I LIKE TO FEEL?"

I really gave this question a workout. I wrote about feeling enthused, relaxed, full of vitality. I painted a verbal picture of marvelous health and well-being. I filled several pages of scribble about how tremendous I felt.

Notice, I didn't use future tense. I wrote as though my condition of well-being was now.

How did I feel when I was done? Better. Not great but definitely moving in a more positive direction. And, as morning progressed, good feeling kept getting stronger.

THIS IS ONLY A START ON EMPOWERED MATURITY JOURNALING... BUT A GOOD ONE.

If you do nothing but write answers to 'how do I feel' and 'how would I like to feel' questions, they can substitute for a lot of pills and potions. Use them whenever you feel a mood slipping toward negative. Instant action can reverse slide.

Use these Empowered Maturity Questions for at least 27 days. They will then become a habit that can lift your days and help keep you perpetually young.. _____________________________ ________________ Facts, techniques and more for helping over 50 crowd (or even under-50 crowd) live healthier, happier and more productive lives. Subscribe FREE to Doug Grant's bi- monthly e-publication, THE EMPOWERED MATURITY PAGE at: mailto:empoweredpage@smartautoresponder.com