the key to happiness lies not in getting what we want – but in wanting/appreciating what we get. so this year, our family has copied an idea from the internet & begun “the gratitude project.” this is something anyone can do with pen and paper, and a simple jar or box big enough to hold one year of life’s blessings.

how does it work? well, every time something good happens (or you are just feeling happy about life in general), write down the date and a brief description of what it was, and put it into the jar. get the whole family to participate. at the end of the year, tip the jar out and read through all of 2013’s blessings.

it’s a great way to retain perspective during tough times, and to teach your kids to appreciate what they already have; something very lacking in this generation and a skill that will be SO important to their life satisfaction as they grow up.

here’s our jar: already with some notes in the bottom! why don’t you try it too?