Oh my. I am so behind! My intentions to share once to twice per week have been derailed! A few minor illnesses in the family, a vacation, an ankle injury… I’m sorry! I’m back and ready to get back to the whole point of this…. which is why I decided to do this quick little post today.
I have found myself feeling pretty overwhelmed recently. Each and every day I try to start my day with some personal development (I plan to share that with you in the near future) and try to focus on being the best version of me that I can be. But to be honest, the last few weeks, I’m not really living my best life. Now that my head cold is starting to clear, I feel the need to refocus. Get back to the basics.
This tradition we have in our family fits perfectly with my need to get it together. Gratitude. I have so much to be thankful for. Why in the world am I feeling overwhelmed and a bit down? I am so damn lucky. I have my family, my health, a good job…. I could go on and on. As I sit here typing this post, I am literally telling myself out loud to get it together. Be thankful and get your butt back in gear. It’s so easy to let the negative overwhelm us in our day to day lives. We are so busy these days that it is easy to overlook all the good that happens every single day. It’s easy to forget just how blessed we are to be able to live this life. Our family gratitude jar is a perfect reminder. Each November 1st we place these two jars on our dining room table. Each day, at dinner (if we are lucky enough to sit down together), we write down something we are grateful for. If we don’t get to do family dinner we make sure to write them down before bedtime. We do this through Thanksgiving, and then put the full jar away. The following November 1st we pull out the jar and read all of the things we wrote the previous year. Not only does this help remind all of us each day how much we have, but it gives us a few laughs, and maybe a few tears, the following year. I mean, just look at those words written by the littlest of hands. Warms my heart to read them.
I’m thinking about how I can implement something like this with new year ahead… I’ll be sure to let you know what I come up with!
What are your favorite holiday traditions? I would love some new ideas!