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Life: Journals :  7 Tips for Keeping a Personal Journal

1/31/2020

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​When cleaning out my closet I discovered something in the top of my closet, a box, a large box. Inside that box are journals from 1980. Until I looked in the box, I didn't realize I had been keeping a journal for all those years. I started keeping a diary, like most teenagers did when I was young.
That was the beginning.


I took time to read through a few of the entries from various years and it was awesome. While some of the things I wrote about were sad, like about relatives dying, breakups with boyfriends, arguments with girl friends and family members (brothers mostly, lol), and pets passing, in the early journals most of what I wrote was happy and about good things happening in my life.

I had goals and plans, I was hopeful about the future, about my future.

Later journals contained more troublesome entries, like issues when trying to conceive a child, the complications of treating infertility, then the long, emotional process of adopting my children. Some entries were happy and good, others were complicated, sad, and even worrisome when re-reading them. I went through some really rough times.
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Overall, keeping the journals has been a blessing in many ways. It provided an outlet for my deepest feelings and thoughts. It provided a timeline for events in my life. I will be chronicle of my life for my children after I pass.

The biggest blessing of keeping a journal has been the outlet for my deepest feelings and thoughts. This is the blessing I want to discuss with you. The reason I think everyone should keep some type of a journal and start it as soon as you can.

Having a private place to pour out all of the thoughts in my head either at the end of the day before I lay down to sleep or at the beginning of the day before I start, is a huge blessing. It allows me to get all those things out of my head, on to paper, and gone.

Once I write them down, I forget them. Before I started keeping a journal, those thoughts would roam around in my head all day or keep me awake at night. Once I released them to the printed page, my mind was clear and sleep was sound.


Here are a few tips to help you get started:

1. Either purchase a beautiful, lined page, journal that you love or create one out of a cheap spiral notebook by decorating it with things that inspire you and bring you joy. The more you love the way the journal or notebook looks, the easier it is to want to write. (It's a mind game).

2. Choose (or purchase a new one) pen to dedicate just to writing in your journal. A pen can not be erased and it is somewhat permanent. Pencil will fade, you don't want it to fade. You want it to last at least a few decades anyway. I have two pens that I keep just write in my journals with. Two pens that I love to write with.

3. You don't need to write in it everyday. Some days do not have anything eventful to write about. Some days our minds are clear of anything meaningful. But no matter if it is once a month or once a day, write in your journal. Make notes about things you did that day, how you felt about the day or events in the day, your goals and any progress you made towards them, disagreements you had with someone, how you feel about yourself on that day, anything that bothers you, anything that is on your mind.

4. Don't limit yourself to just words on a page. You can draw pictures in your journal to help tell your story, photographs can be glued (using safe glue) to the pages, quotes from books or people, prayers, anything you want to save from the day, like ribbons, pressed flowers, birthday cards, etc.

5. Find a box to store your completed (filled) journals. I don't go by years, in other words, one of my journals may include Jan thru Dec of one year and the first three months of the following year. I try to fill every single page no matter if its one complete year or multiple years in one journal.

6. Label the first page of your journal with the Month and Year of the First Entry and the Last Entry, so that the person who finds and reads them after your death can easily put them chronological order. Put your name on this page also, so that there is not doubt that this is YOUR journal.

7. You do not have rules for this journal except to use it. If you don't write in it, then you have wasted your time and money. So, use it. Write in it.

RECAP: Make the journal YOUR journal with things you love, like stickers, ribbons, lace, photographs, etc. Use it. Write everything you feel in it and get it out of your head. Keep it in a safe place where no one can find it while you are still living. Keep a box for completed journals so that they are all in one place and kept in good condition. Put your name on the first page and the dates contained in the journal.

There are so many useful gadgets to help you with your journal keeping. Some are very cheap in cost, others are a little pricey. For example, stickers. Stickers can be purchased in lost of craft, discount stores, stationary stores, even grocery stores have them sometimes. Printing photographs can cost a little more.

I use an HP Sprocket mini wireless printer to print 2.3 x 3.4 inch photographs on sticky back paper. This is a great gadget, but it cost around $150.
(See photo below)
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​If you have trouble sleeping or you have thoughts that stay in your mind all day, 
you need to consider keeping a journal. It is an excellent way to clear your head and sometimes even solve problems by writing them down where you can see them more clearly. There are so many good
reasons to keep a journal.


Here are a few links to articles about the benefits of journaling:
https://bit.ly/3aiecxI
"Pen, Paper, Power!
The 5 Benefits of Journal Writing"
HowLifeUnfolds.com


https://bit.ly/2TBamKi
"Why Keeping a Journal
Can Improve Your Life"
medium.com/betterhumans


https://bit.ly/3anExdS
A short video from "Charlotte Today with Colleen Odegaard
on how to start keeping a journal


Start keeping a journal today. 
It can help you in so many ways. 

It will take practice and dedication for a few weeks to get in the habit, but once you form the habit of writing your daily thoughts down, you wonder why you didn't start keeping a journal sooner!


Do you keep a journal? Do you embellish your journal with photographs, drawings, memorabilia? Have you found that keeping a journal is good for your health? What benefits have you found with keeping a journal?


XOXO

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Encouragement: Look at your life 10-15 years down the road, are you headed in the right direction?

1/24/2020

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"It does not matter how slowly you go as long as
you do not stop."

Confucius, Chinese Philosopher

Look at yourself and your life 10 to 15 years down the road. If you stay on the present course, will you be where you wanted to be? If not, now is the time to change - change course!

"When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached,
don't adjust the goals,
adjust the action steps."

Confucius, Chinese Philosopher

I have written about setting SMART goals, re-evaluating our life, evaluating our progress, to-do lists, and other tools that can help us be successful and also happier in the coming year. The first of the twelve new months has come and gone, did you learn anything new? Did you accomplish any of last years goals? Did you start with all all new goals this year or carry some over from 2019?

I would hope you accomplished something last year. I hope that you did not sit still and that you made progress towards a more fulfilling life on FIRE!

If you didn't, why? When you took time this month to re-evaluate the past year and where you ended up the during the year, what did you learn? Did you see any areas that you neglected? Did you even look at your goals year? Did you make a SMART plan to accomplish those goals? Did you stick to it?

If you continue to do what you are doing now for your health, wealth, relationships, etc., will you be where you want to be in 10 years? 15 years? Do you know where you want to be in the future? The most important thing is to know where you want to end up and then devise a plan to get you there.

For example, do you want to be a self supporting artist? Do you want to be financially able to travel more? Do you want to get married and have a family? Where do you want to be? How are you going to get there? Wishing will not get you where you want to be. Doing will.

If you know your destination, you can map out a trail to get there. If you don't know your destination, you will spend your life wandering aimlessly in circles and never getting anywhere but where you are.

The tools are available to help you in laying out a path to your perfect life. The SMART plan for goal setting is the easiest and the most effective tool out there today. It is not new, but few people actually use it. They will read about it, agree with it, then go about doing everyday things the same way with the same results.

We have all heard of Einstein's quote "the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results". Well, it's true. But more than that, it's a waste of time, a waste of life.

 Most people live their lives allowing everything to take priority over their goals except their goals. They struggle to get through each day just to live the next day the same way. Then at the end of 10 years they look back at their life only to see that they have not made any progress, not met any goals, and are still living the same way they always do. Those goals and those dreams they had, all fall by the wayside and are continually unfulfilled.

Procrastination is the name of the game for most people.
"I'll make up for the lost time tomorrow", "I have too much to do today, I will start that quilt tomorrow or the next day", "There's a good movie on tonight, so I think I will take the night off and watch it. The blog post I was writing can wait another day," these are typical excuses that people make to put off doing what they claim they want to do or that will lead them to accomplishing their goals.

They can have the tools to set goals, set a plan to accomplish those goals, and the opportunities to accomplish those goals, but unless they act upon that plan or take advantage of that opportunity, the goals will never be accomplished.

Set your mind to accomplishing your goals,
follow your plan and seize the opportunities as they come.


You will thank yourself in 10 years when you have the life you want and have achieved the goals you set out for yourself.

Make it happen!

"Success is steady progress toward one's personal goals."
Jim Rohn, American Author and Businessman (died: 2009, age 69)

Remember, if you are not seeing any progress in your plan to accomplish your goals and dreams, change the plan not the goals and not the dreams.

Do you have your goals written down? Do you have a plan to following to make progress on your goals and fulfilling your dreams? Are they realistic? Did you use the SMART system for setting your goals and creating your steps to achieving them? If not, what plan did you use? No plan? How's that working for you?
​

XOXO
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Life:  What is "Really" important to you? What's on your "to do" list?

1/17/2020

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Our lives are full to the brim with things that are important to do - but how important?

Are you sure they are as important as they seem or are they just things we want and not need to do?

Sometimes those "important" things in our life only serve to suck up the only available time you have. If you don't accomplish some of those important things, would it really matter? No.

We waste so much time on needless projects that could be used on things that are really important. For example, how many times have you thought about going to gym, then you don't because you thought of something that was seemingly more "important" to do? Was it really more important than doing something that benefit your body and your health?

Most of the things on our "to do" lists are really just things we would like to see done. We usually leave off the most important things and that is ourselves. We fail to put ourselves on the daily "to do" list.

Perhaps we should all reconsider our "to do" lists. Perhaps we should purge that list of things that really don't belong on that list so that we make room for the gym (or whatever else it is we want to do).

When you plan your day, try to do the really important things; but make time for the things that benefit you and that you want to do.

Prioritize your list, be honest about what is important and what is just nice to do. Make time for the gym, dance class, cooking class, a movie, whatever it is you want to do. All work and no fun makes for one dull day. 

For 2020, I challenge you to make an actual, physical "to do" list. When we write them down and refer back to the list, we are prone to accomplish more. We have a plan and we have a goal. 

Take a long hard look at your "to do" list and only do those really important things. Make time for the things that important to you (like your health). Start the new year getting things done both for your family and for yourself. Make yourself a priority.

Don't end this year in the same place your are now. End the year with accomplishments and goals met. 

What's on your "to do" list? Are you on the list somewhere? Do you make a physical list or do you keep it in your head?  Do you refer to your list throughout the day to be sure you are target with getting certain things done? Why or why not?

XOXO

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Life: Re-evaluating your goals and life at age 50 and beyond

1/10/2020

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As I approached the big 5-oh, I started to re-evaluate my life. Where had I wanted to be by the time I was 50? Did I reach that goal? Was I on target or had I missed it altogether? What changes did I want to make by the time I turned 50?

What I discovered was that until about ten years prior, I was right where I wanted to be and was on target with my goals. So, it would seem reasonable that I would continue on that path and everything would be peachy-keen. Wrong!

What I didn't figure into my life was menopause, empty-nest and how it would affect me, and the illnesses that my parents, children, and husband would be experiencing during the next ten years. All of this thrown together ruined my track record on meeting my goals. It all fell apart. I wasn't expecting the effect that menopause would have on me. That was the biggest thing.

During the time from the age of 48 to 59, I was lost. I was taking care of everyone else and forgot to take care of myself. I had minor menopause issues compared to what other women experience, but I was not prepared for them.

Some of the issues I had were hot flashes, I think that is common with most menopausal women. I had morbid thoughts when I closed my eyes at night to sleep. That is common in about half of menopausal women. I had weight gain issues related to the fluctuation in hormones which I could have dealt with had I not been going through so much family stress.

Between the stress and menopause, I gained a lot of weight, I ate poorly, my health was declining (I was sick a lot with allergies and colds), and I was depressed about my life.


After I evaluated my life, put all stressors in their proper place, dealt with the issues of menopause and found myself again, I lost all the weight, I adjusted to the empty nest and love it, and I quit a job that was sucking the life out of me.

At this point I started my blog and started doing the things I always wanted to do. I rarely get sick now, I feel great almost all the time (thankfully), and I am happy almost all the time. There are times when life still gets to me, but I am able to handle it now, both physically and emotionally. I take care of myself now.


The point I am making is this:
There will be times in your life when you feel lost, you will lose your way, and you will suffer the consequences of your actions (or lack of actions). That doesn't mean all is lost. It means it is time to re-evaluate your life and prioritize it to meet your goals.

It's easy to forget about yourself  when you have others who depend on you, but you must keep yourself in the game. You must realize that if you don't take care of yourself, you will eventually not be able to take care of anyone else.

You may also wake up one day and discover your life is near the end and you are dissatisfied with the choices you made.

Looking back, what I allowed to happen to me was not necessary. I could have dealt with it all differently, but I let myself become overwhelmed with the issues of others.

Don't let this happen to you. You can take care of others and still take care of you. I learned this lesson the hard way.

When you begin your evaluation of your life and goals up to the age of 50 (or beyond), ask yourself these questions:
  • What would I change if I could?
  • Who really needs me and who is just calling me because I will come?
  • What would make me happy right now? What would make me happy in 5 years?
  • Am I where I want to be in life now? (the right job, the right home, the right location?)
  • What did I want to accomplish by this age that I haven't? Can I still do it?
  • Finally, what steps do I need to take to get myself where I want to be at this age of my life?

Take time this month to look at your life so far.

Re-evaluate where you are and where you want to be.

Lay out a plan.

Make it SMART.

Stick to it.

End the year with your goals met and well on your way to another productive and happy year.


Are you happy with what you have accomplished so far? Do you have any unmet goals or dreams that you still want to pursue and accomplish? Have you ever taken time to evaluate your life and then make adjustments so that you can meet your goals and dreams? Share your stories and your ideas. If you have suggestions, please share those.
XOXO
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Life: Where do you want to be a year from now? Setting 2020 Goals (not resolutions)

1/3/2020

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Did you set goals at the beginning of 2019?
If so, how many of those goals did you actually accomplish? Are you where you wanted to be at the end of 2019? Are you satisfied with your life? Do you have more goals that you want to accomplish?

Where do you want to be a year from now at the end of 2020?



I am pretty satisfied with my accomplishments for the past year. There are a couple of goals that I made progress on but fell short of accomplishing, but I am happy because I did make progress.

With that progress I will accomplish those goals this year, along with new goals.



In order to accomplish anything that is complicated, you need a plan.

If you go back to my January blogs, you will find information on using the SMART method of setting and accomplishing goals. It works. Its the method I use and as a result, I have accomplished almost every goal I set for myself for the year of 2019.

I suggest you go back and read those blog posts and implement the SMART method today so that you can be successful in moving forward this year.



I want each and every one of you to be where you want to be by the end of 2020.


Start right this minute and make a list of every single thing you would like to do, see, own, accomplish in the next year - everything! Include everything, no matter how small or how big. Get a big piece of paper and fill it up.

Some things you may have on your list could be:
- Pay off my car
- Start a side business
- Clean out my Master bedroom closet
- Sell some of my unwanted books
- Visit Las Vegas
- Dye my hair Green
- Get a tatoo
- Hike the Appalachian trail
- Get a part time job
- Sell my house
- Learn how to paint
- Learn a new language
- Travel to another country
- Learn to Quilt
- Get a dog
- Start a Journal
- and on and on, the possibilities are endless


I want each and every one of you to live a life on fire in 2020!


Don't let your age, health, finances, or anything stop you from making goals.

You can make your goals within your abilities, no matter what they are. But, I suggest that you have a few that push you beyond what you think you can do, even if only a little.

Stretch yourself, challenge yourself, reach higher - you may not make the goal you set for yourself, but you will be farther than you would normally be.

Step outside of those cliches like "step out of your box", "step outside of your comfort zone", or "stop being that someone who's always on the outside looking in".


There is a saying that I love that describes what I am trying to say in a beautiful way:


“Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars.”
Norman Vincent Peale


Make 2020 a year to remember! A year of bucket lists! A year of adventure or accomplishments! Don't be stagnant a year from now, be fresh!


Is there something you have wanted to do for a long time and never seem to get it done? Have you set goals each year only to fail at accomplishing them? Do you try new things that push you outside your normal day to day or that teach you something new?


XOXO
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    My mission​

    Sharing thoughts and ideas for the woman over 50 that are helpful, fun, creative, inspiring and interesting. Over 50s who want to remain relevant, happy and loving their life.
    On fire for your own life!
    ❤ Sheryl ❤

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