Last year on Pinterest I saw a "Thankful Jar", which is a jar where people toss a note in the jar when they are happy or thankful for something, and then on New Year's Eve, you read the notes to each other. I LOVED the idea, so I put one on our kitchen table and told everyone to just toss in a note when something good happens in their lives.
Many who know me, know that I have been struggling with chronic back pain and in my mind when I look back over the year, I was almost afraid to look at the notes. We had barely filled the jar 1/2 way, which made me feel sad. Even though I said I was going to start a new one at the beginning of the year, I kept looking at that 1/2 full jar of notes and just couldn't open it yet.
This morning I had a rough start to the day. I could barely walk and was feeling a bit sorry for myself
(a place that I HATE to go to).
In my usual ADD way, I had a number of tabs open on my computer so that I could go back to watch or read them when I had some extra time. This morning I needed time to be able to move, so I watched Sam Bern's video on his philosophy for a happy life here…
Wow, just wow! What a positive outlook this young man had inspite of the overwhelming mountains he had to climb every day just to be who he was. Such an inspiring message he shared shortly before he passed.
In that moment after watching that video, it reminded me that even though each one of us has either an internal or physical struggle, there are good parts. Maybe not what we want, but still good parts, so tonight Ken and I opened the jar after dinner and you know what…..there WERE good parts! Funny little notes from Courtney's friends, touching notes from Hannah and a few earthy ones from Courtney. Two new babies were introduced into our family. Miles and Jenny bought a house. Hannah was accepted to Plymouth and got a room in the dorm she had hoped for. Notes of love and a few of struggles, but the struggles were very few and the happy notes made us laugh and smile.
So….a new jar with a pretty bow was put back on the table for a new year of new notes and memories. I am committed to putting in one note every single day, even on the days when I am not feeling hopeful, because I know that if we look hard enough, there are good things, every single day!
The Woolen Rabbit 
Anything that shifts our focus in the direction of gratitute is worthwhile. Remember Oprah promoting a book about gratitude and a daily gratitude journal? Great idea!
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P.S. I am happy that your jar was such a pleasure! May it be so again.
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What a wonderful idea and I am glad that you found lots of good things in there! ❤
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Anne Voscamp’s book “One Thousand Gifts” has been on the best seller list for a long time and has impacted so many people. It is about finding things to be grateful for every day. I think it changes our focus.
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Great idea, totally something I should do, too!
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I SO love this idea. I was just thinking of something like this, and I really would love to do it, but I’m afraid it might end up just being me doing it! Hubby doesn’t really think to do things like that, and the kids are so young, but then it might be a good lesson to them as well.
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Great video! And I LOVE the frogs to the left of the jar in the top photo!! Do you recall where you got them?
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This is a lovely idea, Kim, and a great way to remind ourselves of how much we have even when we’re struggling. I have been looking for “delight” in every single day and it’s changed my focus for the positive.
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Here’s hoping that this years jar will be full to the brim with lovely and wonderful things!
Great idea!
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Oh my…God must have a special place in Heaven for people like Sam. Thank you Kim for posting this.
As for the jar idea…I am going to make a grand child thankful jar. I have grandchildren from 10 to 27 yrs old and it would be neat to have them drop notes when they come to visit. Then we could read them at Christmas.
I empathize with your back pain/situation as I deal with the same problem daily. Some days even in pain are better than other days. I hope you are able to find some comfort today.
Marna
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I love this idea. I’ve considered doing one but I never seem to set one up. I think its a great way to look back at a year knowing that no matter how bad it may have been, there where good things that happened as well.
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A Thankful Jar – I love the idea! (Especially that it is a Ball jar since that is my name.) I’m going to start one today. Our life has been full of tribulations and woes lately, and we need to concentrate on the sunbeams where we can find them. P.S. Boston Brace!!!!!!
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