about my good things jar

This is my good things jar.  And it's exactly what it sounds like -- it's a jar, and it's full of good things.  

I started in on January 1st.  I keep it by my door and next to it is a notepad and pen.  Whenever anything good happens, I write it down with the date, fold it up, and throw it in the jar. On December 31st, I'll empty it out and read everything I kept in there for the year.

Here are my qualifications for what counts as a "good thing": anytime your stomach hurts from laughing.  anytime you smiled at a surprise.   anytime you accomplished something.  anytime you get a sweet note from a friend.  anytime you see someone you've missed.  basically, anytime something happens and you're grateful it did, be it big or small, I would count it as a "good thing".  

Because that's what this little project is about for me - being a person who fosters gratitude and who recognizes every moment that demands it.  My good things jar reminds me of all the reasons I have to by joyful and gracious.  It reminds me of how good 2013 is, has been, and will be.  And when I forget, I like to reach my hand in the jar, pull out a good thing, and be washed all over by the memory (in essence, it's sort of my Muggle version of a Pensieve. and yeah, I just said that).  

If you're a person who needs to be reminded of all the good things in life, I suggest you get your very own jar and start filling it up! It's never to late to stock up your happy moments like treasure.  Never, never too late for that.