Around this time last year, I was practically bedridden because of a major knee injury, our housing situation was uncertain, and I wasn’t sure where my career was going. I was depressed, anxious, and worst of all, I felt stuck.
During this period, I noticed a lot of people on Facebook posting about gratitude jars. It was a simple idea: every day, write down things that you’re thankful for on slips of paper and put them in a jar.
I don’t know why, but something about this interested me. Stirred out of my torpor, I got a really big jar, and I committed to writing down three good things that happened each day. I would make it my New Year’s resolution and start January 1.
Shortly after I started this practice, an amazing thing happened. I was able to walk normally—without crutches or a cane. It wasn’t a miracle and largely due to my amazing physical therapist. However, once I started to focus on the positive aspects of my life, other big things started to happen. I got an amazing job offer. I went on an unexpected fabulous trip to Costa Rica. I started cooking again.
I have faithfully put three good things every day in my gratitude jar, and by the end of the year, I will have over 1,000 things that I’m grateful for in my jar.
On New Year’s Eve, I plan to literally count all of my blessings and read all of the good things that happened in the past year. Then I’ll get a new jar ready for 2014.
Today I’m living with my family in a new house, I have a great job, and I’m starting to run again.
I am grateful that I have much to eat and much to love.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Edible Joy 
This is such a simple but wonderful idea! Happy Thanksgiving X
Thank you, Charlene. You have a lovely blog. I look forwarding to reading more of it.
This is amazing. Looking forward to when you unwrap your jar.
I’m excited to read all 1,095 good things! An interesting record of my life for sure.
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Love this idea! I started a gratitude journal around this time last year but never kept up with it. When things around me are out in the open, I can’t help but ignore them. (Well, except for my dirty dishes. I really should do those tonight…) I’m going to find a jar and start this tonight!
I had a gratitude journal too, but I was never consistent about it. There is something about physically seeing the jar. And watching it fill up is so cool. Even on my worst days, I could always come up with three good things.