A friend of mine has just started a group on Facebook about journaling.

I joined the group because journaling is something I did for awhile, but quit when I started my blog. I enjoy journaling and plan to take it up again, but, more on that later.

In the meantime, I have gotten several really great ideas from the folks in this little group.

So, today, I am going to write with my left hand. Although, I am somewhat ambidextrous – I often eat with my left hand, always shoot pool with my left hand,sometimes toss a Frisbee with my left hand and always deal cards left-handed – I do most everything else right-handed.

Forcing myself to write left-handed has been very interesting! It’s hard to do! It requires an intense level of concentration. During my first attempts, I was reminded how learning to make letters with a pencil when I was a tot was very difficult. And, how every day, in school, we practiced. And, how eventually, some of us got better at it.

I’m certain I’ve read articles claiming that doing an everyday mundane task differently than the norm is great exercise for the brain.

Below are some samples of my left-handed writing:

Looks pretty good, me thinks!

I don’t know any Jacobs, nor do I have a child in school, I was just practicing!

Wow! I feel smarter already!