Monday, January 7, 2013

Remembering gratitude

"We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude." ~Cynthia Ozick, writer

One of my goals this year is to be more grateful, so a few days ago the kids and I started a Gratitude Jar, an idea I first read about on my friend Fran's blog, Broken Cookies Don't Count. All that's needed is a jar—in our case, it's a clear plastic cookie jar with a frog on it—and slips of paper to write on. The idea is that each day family members will write down the things they're thankful for and then place those papers in the jar. Then on New Year's Eve, we'll empty the jar and read about all the good times and blessings we've enjoyed throughout the year.

To me, this jar is the perfect way to practice gratitude—and not just for the kids but for me as well.  Too often, I think, it's the bad or less happy parts of the day that stick in our minds: the fight we had with our spouse, the speeding ticket, the time we tripped and fell in front of a bunch of people we were trying to impress (ask me how I know this!). The memories of the small—and sometimes not so small—good things that happen each day are too often fleeting, at least in my experience. This jar will help us remember those moments.

And it will remind us just how much we've been blessed.

Wishing you all a Happy Monday!

30 comments:

  1. Awwhhh I love this Dana. So much so that I want to use it at our home with my own children too. LOL. I'll tell you one thing I'm grateful for right now. It's inspiring bloggers like you that totally makes my day. Thank you for that wonderful post. Have a great Monday

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    1. Aw, thanks so much, Sela. That's very nice of you to say.

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    1. It really is. I'm so glad I read about it on Fran's blog.

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  3. What a fun thing to do with the kiddos. Now I'm headed to check out your friend's blog. Love her blog name. So great.

    Cheers and boogie boogie.

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  4. That is an excellent idea. We are all too often wrapped up in problems we forget there's a better side to life.

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    1. That is so true. I fell into that trap last year, and I don't want to make that mistake again.

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    1. I've been writing one or two a day, and my kids have been writing around three each. I'm glad they feel they have a lot to be thankful for, but you're right—I'm going to need a bigger jar!

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  6. This is a wonderful idea! It's easy to lose sight of the fact that we all have so much to be thankful for everyday.

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    1. Exactly. I'm really glad we started this project. :)

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  7. This is a great idea! Maybe I'll try that, too.

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  8. I think you know the type of wise-guy I am...
    The very first slip of paper I'd place in the jar would read, "I am thankful for that pad of yellow stickies by the phone."

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  9. I love this idea. What fun! I'm not sure I could wait until New Year's to read them, though. I would cheat and read them throughout the year.

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    1. We'll see if we can make it through the whole year without taking a peek. :)

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  10. What a wonderful idea! I need to learn to be more grateful myself. Some days, like today, it's hard. I blame it on just being a Monday!

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    1. Mondays can be hard. Hope your day is better now. :)

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  11. being a mom is the most important and most unappreciated job in the world!
    thank you, fellow moms!

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    1. You're absolutely right! I'll join you: thank you to all the moms!

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  12. That is a wonderful idea, Dana. It will be fun to read all the things everyone was grateful for at the end of this year!

    betty

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    1. I think it'll turn out to be a very worthwhile project. :)

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  13. This sounds like a great idea! And what a great time you will have the last day of the year!

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  14. A gratitude jar is a great idea! I did it once a few years ago for a month. A whole year would be just awesome!!! Yes, go for it!! :):)

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