Gratitude Jar

Gratitude Jar

I don't much care to celebrate,

Maybe it's the age...Or maybe it's because I consciously set goals throughout the year instead of making New Year's resolutions.

After all, I believe that there is something to celebrate every day, not just once a year.

But I started a little habit a few years ago, and it's become a little tradition in my home...

The Gratitude Jar.

Every day, throughout the year, I write down one thing that went particularly well that day, something I'm grateful for.

Once a year, I open these notes and re-read them

​This is just one way I bring gratitude into my daily life, because gratitude is one of the most powerful tools you can use.

But the Gratitude Jar became something very special because you can look back and assess what the year really was like.

No matter how things are going and how difficult a situation may be, if you focus on the "little" things that are actually going well, it helps you deal with the "harder" things in life...

Since I started writing about what I'm grateful for, my perspective has changed slightly. I no longer feel inadequate and lacking from the moment I wake up or criticize myself for not being able to get through my to-do list. I can better appreciate the food I have, the time I have, the people I have.

And when I'm having a rough day, pulling a note or two from the gratitude jar reminds me that life is full of miracles and that I have the strength and support to get through anything.

This annual reminder is very helpful to see the big picture. A POSITIVE big picture.

Whether you start this little habit at the beginning of the year or some other time (how about a monthly gratitude container that you read at the end of each month?) - this little habit can help.

Because the more you focus on the good things in your life, the more of them you attract.

Once you have written down your gratitude statements, spend a moment discussing each one. Finally, fold the gratitude statements, and add them to the jar. This activity works great as part of a bedtime routine.

Here are some examples:

Today was special because…

I appreciate (person), because…

Something I accomplished today…

Something I’m looking forward to…

Something I am thankful for…

Something I like about my family

Three people who make me happy are…

I felt happy today when…

Something little that makes me smile…

Today I had fun when…

Something about today that I’ll always want to remember…

I am proud of (person), because…

Something I appreciate about my past…

My friend (name) is important to me because…

Something good that happened today…

I was proud of myself today because…

Something interesting that I recently saw

Something interesting that I recently saw

Something funny that happened today…

Something I like about myself

My favorite family tradition…

My favorite part of today…

Something I am grateful for…

Three friends who I appreciate…

A special memory I have of my family…

Something I look forward to every day…

Today, I felt happy when…

This week has been good because…

Something I like about myself…

Something that made me smile today…

PS (1) If you want to start a gratitude jar with your partner or the whole family, an extra tip: use different colored papers. everyone who participates gets their own color.

PS (2) And if you start this new habit yourself, you can also use different colors for different areas of your life, e.g. color for your work or business and white for your private life...