I’ve never been a big fan of the “year in review” articles that fill the days leading up to January 1. Partly because they’re just another reminder of the relentless march of time, and partly because they invariably focus on the bad things that happened in the last year: the tragedies, disasters, wars, and deaths. It’s hardly an uplifting way to start a new year. But I recently learned about a different kind of “year in review” that, I think, would do us all some good. It’s called the “Good News Jar.”
It works like this: find a jar (or other self-contained vessel of your choice) and set it aside in a special spot where you won’t forget about it. Throughout the year, every time something good happens in your life (no matter how seemingly inconsequential), write it down on a slip of paper and put it in the jar. Then, on December 31, open the jar and read about all the positive things that happened in the past year.
You’ll probably be surprised by how full the jar is. It’s easy to forget all the little things (and occasionally the big things) that mean something to us on a daily basis: simple kindnesses, small steps toward our goals, unexpectedly funny jokes. The Good News Jar is a reminder that our lives are made up of so much more than the headline news and that we each have a lot to be grateful for.
Since I haven’t started my Good News Jar yet, I had to scroll through my photos to remind myself of what happened this year – and lo and behold, there were lots of good things! And they had nothing to do with politics or war! Now that’s something I can celebrate.
Wishing you many happy returns – and a bursting-full Good News Jar! – in 2017.