At the end of last year, I saw a post from my friend Jan Norris about her “Gratitude Jar.”  When I read the post I was moved by the unique simplicity of concentrating on the good and making those special memories the focus of my day.

While we all deal with crap on a daily basis, we often overlook the blessings.  After reading the post, I started my own Gratitude Jar tradition.

All year the nondescript jar has sat in the middle of my table.  As the seasons changed,  colorful slips of paper have created a tapestry of wonderful memories contained within the glass.

Today, to begin a new year, in anticipation, I sat and opened each slip of paper.

I read the papers, I reflected and my heart filled with joy.  2013, while it had its junk, was a pretty awesome year filled with simple blessings and memories that I will hold tight forever.

I placed that mound of memories in an envelope and sealed it, placing it in my treasure box.  Someday I may relive those memories again, or the envelope may never be reopened; but the wonder of 2013 will be contained there forever.

Today, with my jar empty, I began to refill with 2014 gratitude.  It’s going to be a wonderful year, there will be challenges, disappointments and crap….  but I know if I let it happen there will be more Gratitude than anything else.

Happy 2014!

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