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

4. Before writing anything else, start with two questions at beginning of this article. Don't just treat them as a mental exercise. Actually write them.

5. Finally, write out answers to two questions. Again, this is not a mental exercise. The actual process of writing is important.

HERE IS AN EXAMPLE.

This morning I felt fine until I woke up. Immediately I noticed I was uptight. No particular reason. But I knew by way I was feeling, I could look forward to a day of tension and irritation.

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 top to toe analysis. I didn't bother asking why I felt way I did. I doubt if I even knew. I just wrote what I felt.

Next, I wrote, "How would I like to feel?" I really gave my answer 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 rambling along on a more positive track. And, as morning progressed, good feelings 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 experience mood slippage. Instant action can reverse a negative slide and add a lot of 'up' to what might otherwise become a miserably 'down' day.

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Get more facts, techniques and information about living healthier, happier and being more productive. Subscribe Free to Doug C. Grant's bi-monthly e-zine, THE EMPOWERED MATURITY PAGE. It's directed toward over 50 Crowd but good reading for anyone wanting to boost their life up a notch or two. Subscribe at: mailto:empoweredpage@smartautoresponder.com