I was reading through Facebook recently and came upon a post on Healthy Living Goals with a great idea about how to look at the positives in 2017. Life in 2016 for many around the world was not a happy one and at times it seemed that our world was totally out of control – Brexit, unpopular election results in the U.S.A., terror attacks and the continuing war in Syria. Not much happiness I’m afraid.
The media has a habit of focusing on the negatives and the extremes in presenting the news of the world. It can be easy for us to become disheartened and forget that there are probably more happy and positive experiences in our lives. Unfortunately, when we become surrounded by negativity and unhappiness our vision and thoughts can become clouded.
So what is this great idea to maintain positivity?
The Jar of Positivity – well that is what I would like to call it.
The idea is to find an empty jar (better make it a large one!) and fill it with notes about all the GOOD THINGS that happen in your life in 2017 then on next New Year’s Eve you read through all the notes and reflect on your year. I would also write the date on each note.
I would take it a step further and read your notes throughout the year when you feel that life is not going so well. Perhaps reading them at the end of each quarter or half-year will remind you of what made you feel good at any given time.
I love this idea because it helps us to be grateful for all the good things we do have in life. Sometimes it is easy to forget but as you see the jar filling up you will see that you have more positive experiences that you really think.
Perhaps it is something simple like watching the beauty of a sunrise. It could be a holiday or a book you have read that made you feel good. I know spending time with my gorgeous grandson makes me feel good so I’m sure there will be many notes about those times.
The simple act of being mindful of each good thing that happens to you – no matter how big or small reinforces the positives in your life.
So what do you think of this idea? Will you be starting a Jar of Positivity?
If you don’t want to keep a jar, why not capture special moments with photos and keep them in a positivity album. At the end of the year you can make a photo-book with all of your memories.
Happy New Year my friends and may you all have a jar that is overflowing with goodness.
Let’s Keep Sizzling!
62 Comments
What a wonderful idea to keep a jar of positive things that happen in life through out the year. Really like this idea. Thanks for linking up with Blogging Grandmothers link party.
Thanks for the link up Candy and stopping by. I loved the idea when I saw it and thought I would share – I’ve certainly had some positive comments that is for sure. Have a great 2017 x
I really like the idea of being intentionally grateful Sue. I saw this idea on FB with a pic of post-it notes next to a jar and thought they were the perfect size to jot something down and were pretty too! I’ve decided to keep a gratitude diary on my laptop where each night before I turn it off, I’ll note down one little thing I was grateful for during the day. Hopefully I won’t forget too often!
Yes I saw it on FB too and thought is was a great idea. I’ve already started and my PT and I have decided to start a journal each and also I’ve incorporated some new morning and evening rituals – one of my next blog posts LOL:)
What a great idea. So good to focus on the positive and then reflection. I need to find a jar.
Bev
Thanks Bev. It is a lovely idea and so easy to do. It is also good to see the jar filling up. I’m also taking photos and keeping an album on my phone. Have a great 2017 x
This is a great idea! It took me a long time to get to where I focus on the positive most of the time. Now I’m trying to encourage my grown children in that area. I think we need jars of our own!
Wonderful to hear Lori that you are trying to encourage your children to be more positive. They have a lot to cope with these days and sometimes we forget they might need a little help. Have a wonderful 2017 xx
That is a great idea. I tend to get bogged down in the bad, so I’m taking this idea on board. I’m keeping a diary and I’m going to highlight the good bits so I can reflect on them.
Hi Jan thanks for stopping by! A diary is another great way to keep a record of your positives and you can re-read when you are feeling a bit down. Have a wonderful 2017.
Bev, what a great idea. Thank you. I’m going to try this.
Thanks Shirley it is a novel way to help us look at the good things in life isn’t it? Have a wonderful 2017. x
I love this idea!! Pinning AND doing! Would love to have you share it at the Pleasures of the NW’s DIY Party!
http://www.pleasuresofthenw.com/do-it-your-self-diy-link-party-38/
Thanks for the invite Helen and I’ve linked up at your DIY Party. You are welcome to join our OVer the Moon Link Party each Sunday evening.
I love Over the Moon!! Thanks for coming to the party and I’m starting my jar today!
We used to do a Happiness Jar when my son was little. We need to resurrect it because we’ve got a bunch of cranky little people in my house lately!
Oh I hadn’t thought about that for children Rachel but what a great idea. It helps to teach them that there is good in life and to reflect on this when they aren’t feeling very happy. Have a wonderful 2017. x
What a great idea! Sometimes, I think I need to purposefully NOT watch the news shows on TV if I want to stay positive. This is a great reminder to stay positive. I have so much to be thankful for.
Hi Mimi, I loved this idea when I saw it on Facebook. I agree the News is full of negativity and sensationalism but somehow we are still drawn to watch it. Your idea of purposefully NOT watching sounds like a plan. Have a beautiful day xx
Love this idea and should do it. What a great feeling it must be at the end of the year, to see all the beautiful moments. After all, that’s what life is made of!
This is the first year I’ve tried the jar, Laurie so I’m looking forward to NYE and reflecting on my year. I’m also keeping a photo album on my phone to keep my positive memories as well. Have a beautiful day and a wonderful 2017.
This is wonderful. I keep a prayer journal and I can look back at end of year and see all of the prayers that were answered over the year. I love going back to review older journals. It’s amazing how good I feel when I realize that prayers were answered. I think this is an excellent idea as well. Thank you for sharing with #blogginggrandmothers.
Hi Clearissa! I’ve never heard of a prayer journal but it would be a powerful experience to actually see which prayers were answered. I’m sure more than we realise. It is good to go over older journals. I”m starting a journal this year which I’ve never down before. Thanks for hosting Blogging Grandmothers link up. Have a wonderful weekend! x
I love this, Sue! I try to write down in a journal 3 things I am grateful for every day, but I never go back and read them. I think keeping a positivity jar and going back and reading over all the good things is a wonderful idea!
Hi Cathy, I also thought about taking photos and putting them in a special album on my i-phone so I can look back on NYE at the year. I’ve also just bought a journal and hoping to incorporate it into my evening rituals. Have a very Happy New Year Cathy! xx
That is such a great idea! I’m going to have to get me a jar and turn it into a jar of positivity. Thank you for partying with us at Blogging Grandmothers Link Party. We’ve shared your post on our social media sites.
Good for you Dee! Thanks for the opportunity to link up at Blogging Grandmothers Link Party. Don’t forget to link up at Over the Moon on Sunday evening we would love to have you.
[…] is my personal favorite – and a project I’ve already started – Keeping a Jar of Positivity. Thanks to Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond for this […]
Beautiful blog. I really do like this idea. When I stop and think each day of what I am thankful for there are so many positive things.. Think I will try the jar.
Thank you Pamela and I’m sure your jar will be full! Have a lovely day and thanks for stopping by x
This is a great idea! I posted about utilizing a reward jar at my blog – and this post inspired me to make other uses of the jar 😀 Thanks!
A reward jar is a great idea and I think there are many uses for jars. It all comes back to just thinking about what is good in our lives isn’t it? Thanks for stopping by Edira and have a lovely day.
Thank you for coming to the Blogger’s Pit Stop on Thursday!
Janice, Pit Stop Crew
thanks for hosting Janice and Happy New Year!
I do something similar. My husband and I write down things (big and small) that we are grateful for and then reread them at New Year’s.
That is a lovely tradition for your both to share on New Year’s.
I love this idea. Every year I decide to do this but never quite keep it up till the end of the year. Doesn’t matter though, it is still fun to read the first part of the year’s notes in December.
It is hard to keep things going but as long as we keep trying Margaretha that is all that really matters.
This is a fantastic idea and I love adding this positivity to my life. I need to focus on being happier this year and this is a cool way of doing that
It is a cool way of looking at positivity – something we can see as the jar becomes filled. Thanks Charolotte.
What an absolutely wonderful idea! I think I’ll do this with my kids!
Yes Mandi it would teach them how to be more positive and to seek the positive in their lives.
I love this!
Thank you! Have a lovely day!
Sue, this lovely positive post will be featured on the Blogger’s Pit Stop on Friday. Congratulations on a great post.
Kathleen
Oh what a lovely surprise Kathleen thank you! Have a beautiful day xx
This is a great idea to help us remember the things that are going well. My sister does a similar thing by writing on all of her wine corks- dates, friends, events etc. and then throwing them in a big jar. It is fun to go through and read and remember fun times we had.
Oh what a great idea of your sister’s. I’ve heard so many uses for the jar that I could have them lined up on a shelf! It is good to remind ourselves of the positives that we have experienced during the year as sometimes life can get in the way and blur the lines.
I have a prayer basket and write down prayers of gratitude and supplication on paper and put in the basket. It makes me so happy to go through these notes periodically to recognize answered prayers and written reminders of things I have to be grateful for. Gratitude is a major key to happiness. Thanks for spreading the secret.
A prayer basket sounds a lovely idea. I think you can really do anything that helps to focus on the positive and the good in our lives. You are so right that being grateful is a major key to happiness. xx
I think I will do this too! Love the idea Sue.
Wish a full jar of good things!
I think it is a tangible way of looking at positivity don’t you? Thank you for your kind wishes and the same to you!
I really love this idea. I’ve been meaning to practice gratitude more, maybe this will help me focus!
We all try don’t we Amber but I think we just have to stick at it until it becomes a natural part of our life – just like brushing our teeth. If we put the jar in a prominent place it will always be a reminder. Have a great day!
[…] Keeping a Jar of Positivity by Sue […]
That’s a really nice idea! I find January so depressing – this is a nice positive idea to start the year off!
Well January is hot and sunny where I live so I don’ usually feel depressed. Hopefully setting up the jar will focus on the positives for you and not the gloom of January weather in the UK. Have a beautiful day. x
[…] Keeping a Jar of Positivity by Sue […]
Love this idea. I had a post almost written about an affirmation jar A-Z to start your morning. Maybe next year! Congrats on yours getting most clicked! Thank you for sharing with us at #OverTheMoon!
Oh that sounds a good idea Marilyn. Thanks for the lovely surprise to be most clicked! Thank you also for all you do for us at #OvertheMoon.
Perhaps it is time to replace my Revenge Jar, but I’m not sure I’m quite ready yet…. 🙂
Oh a Revenge jar – that sounds a little ominous! I think I prefer the positivity one – you could have both!