By Lisa Janusz
The season of giving thanks is here; we start with Thanksgiving and then move into Christmas. While this can be a time of activity (and stress), the basis of the season is to be grateful for what we have and show appreciation to others. I realize it doesn’t always work out that way…
Several years ago I was going through a rough period and I came across an article about gratitude jars. I decided to try it; maybe focusing on the good each day would help lift my chi.
And research supports it. In one Harvard study people were asked to write a few sentences each week about either being grateful, being irritated or just an event in general. The results: “After 10 weeks, those who wrote about gratitude were more optimistic and felt better about their lives. Surprisingly, they also exercised more and had fewer visits to physicians than those who focused on sources of aggravation.”
It helped. A lot. So I’m encouraging you to do the same. You know we’re all about energy with Feng Shui and a gratitude jar is a good way to do some reflection and remind yourself to be grateful.
It’s a simple set up. (And DO set it up so it’s easy to do.)
- Grab any jar (not too small!) and decorate it (simple is fine)
- Cut pieces of paper or buy a small pad
- Add a pen or colored pencils
- Commit to writing either every day, every other day or at a minimum every week
- And those times when you need your chi lifted, write something for – or read something from – the jar
Some days were easy, while others were more of a challenge. But I did it and it made a difference. And I still add to it, just not as regularly.
So if you think you might need a little extra help remembering the reason for the season, think about adding a gratitude jar to your life. Rest assured, you all made it in mine -I’m grateful for YOU and this community.
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