It feels like yesterday the sun lit up the entire day and we were wondering whether to hit the beach or not. Then BAM! A few grey months drifted past, Christmas came and now I’m looking outside the window at a brand new year.
Like most humans on the planet, I do look back at the good things, but I tend to remember the disappointments. For some reason the things that didn’t happen, or the things that hurt, become more powerful than all the small things that didn’t. Or, I look forward to the fantastic things that are going to happen. It’s like I WANT to focus on the positive, so I look forward, where nothing negative lives yet. The future is full of positivity :). I found as a family, we skipped over the small, but enjoyable moments that happened throughout the year. Maybe the daily grind presses in around us and that fun lunch date we had gets lost amid the bill payments and tire changes.
So two years ago, I got an idea.
I started the Blomberg ‘Good Things’ jar. Whenever something good happens, we toss a reminder into the jar. If the kids had fun at a birthday party, the invite goes into the jar. If I wrote a fantastic short story, I write the moment on a strip of paper and slip it in the jar. Sledding, days at the park, visits with friends, good conversation with an adult, a great massage, a new accomplishment, a date–all of these things and more make it into the jar.
At the end of the year, we pull them out. Last year, during a magnificent dinner on New Year’s Eve, which I can’t remember, but I’m pretty sure was yummy, we took turns reading aloud the strips of paper and remembering all the good times we had throughout the year. Times we had somehow forgotten. We’re a little late this year, but I plan to read through these tonight over a heaping bowl of Hoppin’ John, a traditional New Year’s dish in the southern part of the States. I hope as we empty the jar, we’re reminded of the blessings we have in our lives, of the laughter and love that surrounds us. I know 2015 will have just as many blessings and disappointments as 2014 did, funny how life works that way, but I hope we always remember to take a moment to jot down the small, happy moments that make up life. Because I don’t want them to get lost.
It’s also my hope for you–
Cas Blomberg Communications 
I love this idea Cas, I’m going to try it out!
Thanks! Hope you do, it’s a ton of fun!
This is such a brilliant idea – I must try this!! Happy new year to you!
Thanks for stopping by! I’m glad you like the idea =). It really is a lot of fun to do a happy dance for something and then remember, ‘oh, I’m putting this in the Good Things jar!’ Hope you have just as much fun with it and happy new year to you, too!
Be sure to check out my blog if you get the chance! Thanks – Beth!