By Barbara Latta
2015 is over now and most of us can’t remember many of the
things we encountered during the year. We may bring to mind major happenings,
traumatic events and happy celebrations, but what about the everyday mundane
incidents that can still affect our lives?
Small tokens of appreciation, a hug from a loved one, a
compliment, or enjoying a sunset are events that bring enjoyment to us but are
often forgotten days later. I read about this idea in a magazine so I can’t
take credit for creating it, but I think it’s a good exercise to do for the
year.
Create a good news jar
Find a jar, empty popcorn or cookie
tin, or maybe a bowl you don’t need and each day
during the year write
something good about that day on a small slip of paper and put into your jar. Date
each remembrance and don’t look at the records until the end of the year. On
New Year’s Eve, while waiting on the midnight ball to fall announcing the turn
of the calendar, the family can have fun reading their slips of paper to each
other.
Did you enjoy baking cookies with the kids today? Write that
down. A special card may have come in the mail, or one of the children may have
conquered a hurdle by bringing home a good grade on a subject they struggle
with. Did the flowers bloom today, was the sun shining or did you hear your
favorite song at church? Don’t consider anything too insignificant. If it made
an impact on you, it is important to your life.
By recording your special memories, whether large or small,
you will find yourself looking for things to be thankful for that otherwise
would have been forgotten. You may even realize you met some of your New Year’s
goals without struggling to do so. Sharing what was important to you about each
day can also spark another family member’s memory about that event and your loved
ones may be able to add to your list.
An old hymn I’ve heard all my life is titled, “Count Your
Blessings” and has a verse that says, “Count your many blessings, name them one
by one, count your many blessings, see what God has done.” Your next New Year’s
Eve can be more special when you remember how blessed the year you just lived
has been.
What would you like to remember about 2015? Share your thoughts.
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