“Some people grumble that roses have thorns; I am grateful that thorns have roses.”
― Alphonse Karr, A Tour Round My Garden
I read this novel by Alphonse Karr a very long time ago. I remember I was a shy girl in high school. After lunch, I would go to the library and read books or anything that interest me. Or should I say, anything to kill time?
My mom tended a sari-sari store. And that store helped finance my studies all throughout high school. We weren’t wealthy, so I did not have the same expensive notebooks and shoes my classmates had. I feared family day or school activities the most. That meant we would wear civilian clothes and I did not have many dresses to flaunt.
Despite that, I was still grateful especially to my mom. She wanted me to finish high school in a prestigious school as she always believes that good education is critical to building a solid learning foundation.
The Ungrateful me
Fast forward to 20 years, and I have my family. I used to question myself, “Am I still grateful of the things I have?” Often, I look for more. It seems I am never contented. What happened to the shy poor girl 20 years ago who always feel grateful?
The Gratitude Jar
Then I chanced upon an “I am Grateful” Instagram contest. That time, I was feeling thankful for my new friends. I know they will be my best buddies for life. So I composed a short “thank you” note for them. That earned the nod of The Wonderful Kind who ran the contest. I was able to get hold of my Gratitude Jar in time for the new year.
I am Grateful
Tha package contains enough colorful paper for each day of the year to be grateful for. I just need to write the things what I am thankful for that day. Then there is a jar where I should drop my notes. At the end of the year, I am to open up my jar and read the grateful things I have written for the whole year.
Road to “I am grateful”
The Gratitude Jar I got is just a simple glass jar. But what makes it unique is the act of writing down the things I am thankful for that day until I have done it for a year. Putting on paper what I am thankful for becomes a habit to appreciate even the simple things I’ve got. It reinforces positive thoughts.
I started my Gratitude Jar only this January. It may take 11 more months to complete the task, I am thankful now for one thing it has brought in my life –
Just like Alphonse Karr, I know that roses have thorns. And I would rather look at it positively and rejoice. That despite being perceived as harmful, thorn bushes got roses to make it lovely and desirable.
The grateful jar idea is really nice. There are days that it so easy to write but during bad days, it is hard to write. But still, you will find one thing to be grateful for and realized that your whole day is not really a bad day. 🙂
I guess there are always something to be grateful for in a day. We just do not want to acknowledge it or we are blinded by other emotions like anger or sadness. Yes, I agree, the grateful jar is such a nice idea.
This is a fantastic idea. I suggest not taking so long till the end of the year open it. It would be great to open and read them whenever you feel down or depressed, this would give the necessary boost and positive energy.
I agree. And surely it will greatly boost your morale and you will feel happy again. Perhaps you will not even notice the ugliness of your surroundings but only see the beauty it brings.
Great to know that you have found ways to be more thankful. It’s also part of my New Year’s Resolution. I should get down to my gratitude journal at least once a week. Life is shitty-tough, but I believe it’s still really filled with blessings 🙂
Super agree, Life is filled with blessings. Only that sometimes, we mistook that as problems. Good luck on your gratitude journal. May we live with a grateful heart always.
One of the things to be grateful is to come up with this idea, and make it as a habit, congratulations, there are a let of things to be grateful of, waking up each day, the air that we breath, our hands to write our eyes to see the beauty around us, everyday as we wake up, miracles happen, sometimes we just can’t feel and see it because we have our own standards, I’m truly grateful for the challenge, have a happy and blissful New year
Thank you. May this new year bring new hopes and happiness to you as well. Yes, I hope I continue to do this challenge and may it be a habit. That I would truly be grateful!
That’s a totally great idea. It’s like pandora’s box but this time everything is just positive that’s in it. I know you will be amazed on how much you can fill in on that jar. We may took for granted the little things but if you we’ll tale a good look around us, a lot of positive things are just aroubd the corner. 😉
I agree. Despite the ugliness we thought, the world is.surrounded by beauty and love. We just need to open our eyes and heart.
I think the grateful jar is a helpful idea. I find myself more able to be grateful as I get older. When I was a teenager, I usually just thought about the things I wanted that I did not have. And I think it’s great you expressed your appreciation for your mom!
Thank you. My mom is the most generous person ever. ::
This is such a novel idea. We usually tend to forget the good things happening to us in our busy lives. It is good to pause, ponder and pen down those grateful moments! Loved your idea. 🙂
Loved also the way you described the whole process: pause, ponder and pen down. 🙂
I think people tend not to he contented at times, that’s our nature. However, whatever comes in our way we should be greatful for everything. The greatful jar is a good way to help us through tough times, when we feel discouraged we can just grab one piece of paper there and remind us we wrote something we’re thankful for.
Yes. I hope this grateful jar would.be instrumental for my positive change.
I’ve been thinking of doing this every new year but if not completed, I wasn’t able to start at all. I hope you continue to have the enthusiasm in filling those jars. 🙂
I also pray for the same enthusiasm. Thank you
Oh that was a good idea! I remember the happiness jar challenge which sounds the same. There’s always something to be thankful for.. and im glad you’re pursuing the road to “i am grateful” 🙂
Yes to gratefulness. That happiness jar challenge is equally beautiful as well.
Wow, this is just so timely and I truly need to read an article like this. This reminded me that being grateful is something that reflects who we are inside and this will surely be seen outside naturally. It’s about seeing the good in every bad situation around us. This is just so positive and something that everyone can truly reflect with.
I like how you described it. Seeing the good in every bad situation around us. And may we do that and be positive always.
That’s nice that you have a grateful jar to write everything you are thankful for. I have a Gratitude Jorunal but I keep forgetting to write on it. I should be more religious in writing on it. It really feels good to count your blessings! I’m sure you have plenty to be thankful for 🙂
I am only on my third week and I am seeing that there are indeed many things to be grateful for. We just do not want to acknowledge them as something pleasant. I hope we be able to keep up with- my gratitude jar and your gratitude journal. Ihihi.
Hi Momi Berlin! Again, thank you for sharing the attitude of gratitude. I love that this post is so candid. I really can relate. There are times that sometimes I feel “entitled” which makes me forget to be grateful tsktsk. So, last year, I personally made it a “grateful” year. Since I went back to blogging, I thought I could share the habit too. It makes me feel more alive, mindful, and happy too. 🙂 Glad you are using the gratefuljar 🙂
For the nth time, thank you for the jar. May my 2017 and beyond be a year of gratefulness. And may I never forget to drop my little notes inside that jar. Ihihi.