So . . . . how are you all doing? Are you still filling that Goodie Jar? I am. This is one of the things I have put in my jar . . . hence the crease in the middle of it. I wrote on the back and folded it up and added to the jar of good things. A friend sent it to me in a card. It is a great motto! Yeah, remember the Good Things Jar . . . it is an “exercise” in recognizing and being aware of the good things that happen every day even among the things that cause us sorrow. When my mom got sick I asked her, I said, “Mom, I know you are sick and it is a very sad and scary thing, but is it ok if I am still happy about things?” I didn’t want her to think I wasn’t sad or concerned about her if she saw me smiling and enjoying life. She gave me permission to still be happy. She said it was good to still acknowledge and be grateful for the good things. And really, to me, that is what life is all about. There is always going to be things that can bring us down. There is death, destruction, betrayal, hurt . . . all of those things that can detract from the things that make us happy. But focusing on the uplifting things is what gets me through. Making note of the good things is what I want to do!
Now just because I have a jar with notes regarding the things that I consider good things that make me smile, doesn’t mean I don’t take time to be sad or be mad or concentrate on the things that don’t make me smile. All of that is part of life too. We all have situations and issues to deal with. I allow myself the necessary time with emotions and situations. Often times, I can even learn and grow from those things. But because there are times that aren’t just rainbows and unicorns, I have a jar. The jar helps remind me to find the smiles in the times when I have other “stuff” going on.
I have received notes and cards and a lot of love . . . . all “Goodie-Jar worthy”. Someone thinking about me is ALWAYS a good thing. Makes me smile that people care and they take the time to let me know. Also it is a great push for me to do the same. Sometimes I think, “Oh, I wanna to let someone know I am thinking about them.” Then I think, “Aww. I don’t want to bother them, because I don’t really have anything to say, except ‘I’m thinking about you.'” Then I remember how much it meant to me and I do it!
So good things can spread. 🙂
Also I found that the first time I did the jar I really enjoyed reading the good things at the end of the year. It was fun – for me – to have that little review and the reminder of the good things that happened throughout the year.
Are you still putting things in your Goodie Jar? How is it going? When is the last time someone let you know they were thinking about you? When is the last time you let someone know you were thinking about them?
Terre Pruitt's Blog 