A few years ago on Pinterest the “good things jar” was pinned which basically is: re-purposing an old jar or container of some sort, every week writing down something good that happened to you and putting the slip of paper in the container, then on New Year’s Eve reading the contents to reflect on all the good things that happened to you during the year. Yah, whatever, bah humbug.

Even though I came across this idea on Facebook multiple times, I never considered making one until this year. What spurred me into action was a friend whose 2016 contained significant losses of people she loved dearly, enduring on-going health challenges, difficulties at her job, and also banishing a family member out of her life; however not all was bad, she did go on her lifelong dream trip overseas. At the end of the year she posted about how having the notes in the jar to read did help her realize indeed numerous “good things” had happened in spite of the grief, frustrations and losses she sustained.

What the hell, I’ve nothing to lose and only warm fuzzies to gain was my thought this New Year’s Eve. Perhaps because this past Dec. 31st was one of the better ones in recent memory, I was motivated, I had something positive to put on a paper to start off the year. I would commence documenting every day small joys.

When I decided to go forward with this project, I blew the dust off an empty container in the pantry, placed it on my desk, writing and tossing my first note inside. Skepticism engulfed me. I wondered if some weeks the best I’d be able to muster would be “did not drop toothbrush on the floor” or “didn’t get dog drool on my pants”. No, I reminded myself, this was not about bad things that didn’t happen hence being good by default, but honest to God “good things” that would actually occur.

Some people write a daily note, some write a weekly note. I figured I was optimistic and realistic with a once a week goal. Yet here I sit, just seven days into the year and I have seven notes in the jar. I now see how this can work from beginning to end of the year. Just by having the jar on my desk in clear sight it is reminding me to acknowledge the good that happens every day. I’ll let you know in 358 days how it has all worked out.

*Earlier this week I blogged about the meaning of the word “wanton” assuring readers of no sexual content on this blog. Yet, while sitting at my desk writing down a “good thing”, I hollered to my husband (“Mr. Wanton”) downstairs in his office: “Hey, you wanna help fill “My Joy Jar”? Silence. I hadn’t explained the project; he had no idea what I was talking about. A few seconds later he hollered back: “Sure. I’ll meet you in the bedroom.” Someone thinks he might be in for a really good year. 😉