On New Year’s day kiddos, hubby and myself gathered around the dinner table with our giant jar of gratitudes. In between bites of supper we took turns reading the slips of paper that filled the jar all year long. Stepping into our third year of this new tradition it feels like it is becoming a part of us, a piece of the McGlotherns.

I leave a giant jar on the kitchen counter with slips of paper resting on the closed lid. Whenever gratitude strikes, we write down the thing, person or experience for which we are appreciative on a slip of paper and put it in the jar. A happy moment to be shared and remembered on the upcoming New Year’s day. This year it was so much fun to relive those moments that of course I had totally forgotten about: the walk with a friend, a new client, a date with hubby, a family trip, a well played soccer game, a conversation. On a couple of occasions friends filled the jar thanking us for a fun night or delicious dinner.

I have some new ideas of how to use the jar this year. We all say a gratitude at the dinner table as our grace, bringing the jar to the table may be a new way we can capture those gratitudes on paper resulting in being able to be reminded on the first day of 2018. I have different colored paper lined up ready to use, adding variety to the glass jar. When we have family church, sit with a candle in the living room, I can have the jar as our center piece, bringing our awareness on gratitude as the anchor that grounds and unites us.

There are so many different ways to express our gratitude. Is there a new way you want to express your thanks this year? Grab a loved one, a pen, a blank piece of paper, click on your social media page, however you express your appreciation is perfect. No rules to follow. Only follow your heart and fill up yourself and others with authentic thanks.

Cheers, Jenny