I have heard people talk about dream jars or vision jars.  A vessel in which you place thoughts, ideas and hopes for the future.  While it is great to have those and to aspire for more than you are right now I don’t have that kind of jar.  I have a gratitude jar.

My jar is large and it sits on my kitchen counter in full view and most importantly accessible.  In it I place on a regular basis a note which I date and write one thing I am grateful for that day.  So each note starts the same and is written in the present tense: “Today I am grateful for …..” and it could be any number of things.

I promise you on some days I do dig deep to find something to appreciate or give thanks for.  Most days I have no trouble.  You see, I place as much of the importance of gratitude on the simple things as I do the bigger, complex things.  Some days I am grateful for the sun that shines others I might be grateful for a conversation with a friend or the beautiful city in which I live.

Here’s the trick.  At the end of the year I read all the bits of paper, not before, and it is incredible to tally all the things I am grateful every day.  I pick up themes and patterns and take time to reflect on how fortunate I really am and to have noted all the things in my life that make me feel grateful.  Some days are better than others but there is good in every day.

I encourage you to start your own gratitude jar.  After all, gratitude brings you happiness.  Some may argue the opposite.  I don’t buy that.  Either way I don’t know anyone who doesn’t want more of happiness in their life.