Gratitude Jars - DIY Project For Kids Of ALL Ages!

Let's Build A Gratitude Jar...TOGETHER!

Learn how to make a simple gratitude jar that you can use to record & collect your happy moments.

 Adding to it each week is an easy way to practice self-care, as it forces you to slow down and reflect on the positive things (big & small) in your everyday life. This also makes a thoughtful DIY gift for friends, family, or anyone who's going through a rough patch (anyone living through 2020 can relate).

What is a Gratitude Jar?

Essentially, a jar (usually a glass mason jar but any vessel works) that helps you practice gratitude by reflecting on the positive things in your life.

There are two main types of gratitude jars:

An Empty Jar That You Fill (with handwritten scraps of paper

 containing things you're grateful for)

A Full Jar That You Pull From (with printed slips of paper that have inspirational quotes on them)

The first is one you typically make yourself (or are gifted by others).

The second is one you buy pre-made that you can draw from and read whenever you want.

 

I'm sharing the first type today. As much as I love quotes,

I think it's more personal & meaningful to fill the jar with your

own thoughts of gratitude and happiness. And physically writing

out those thoughts solidifies them in your mind.

Why Start a Gratitude Jar?

The MAIN REASON?

 It's good for your mental health & GREAT self care to practice gratitude!

And right now, mental health is a BIG issue.

 

We live in a time where we're constantly stimulated

by our phones, laptops & tablets. We become addicted

 to the quick dopamine hits we get when folks "like" or comment

on our social media or forum posts.

But what happens when an algorithm changes and suddenly

 no one is seeing your posts? Or, your feed is filled with pictures

 and videos of everyone else's highly edited & curated "perfect" life?

 

You start to feel less than. You begin to fall into the comparison trap.

Wonder why your life isn't like theirs.

Here's what to do if you fall into the comparison trap:

mute that person's account or unfollow them

if you find yourself mindlessly scrolling in places that make you feel bad, delete the social apps from your phone or clear the cache on your computer so you're logged out of all sites

UNPLUG and take a break from the digital world

And in the meantime, ground yourself in your actual, real-world life.

Interact with your loved ones - as much as safely possible during

these times, spend time outdoors, do something that fills you up,

 & create a home environment that brings you joy.

 

Practicing gratitude helps immensely, too!

 

It forces us to slow down and reflect on the things we're thankful for.

And when we think about said positive things, it makes us feel good.

It also gives a much-needed perspective when we're comparing our

imagined "deficit" to another person's "surplus".

Ideas & Writing Prompts For a Gratitude Jar

 

 

Some folks have a hard time writing when they're sitting in front

of a blank piece of paper. Here are some ideas to get the words flowing:

core needs that are being met (shelter, food, safety, health, transportation, etc.)

people that are making a positive impact on your life & why

activities you're doing right now that make you happy: TV shows, books, movies, games, extracurricular things, etc. (it's fun to record these and look back on them a year later)

new experiences you've had

funny or cute moments from the furry friends in your life

things you've learned recently

things you've purchased, donated, or gifted

any creative outlet you have

good things that happen to others in your life (let it be aspirational for you)

places you've traveled to (even if they're just in your local area)

how you're feeling physically (it could always be worse - LOL)

seasonal things (weather, holidays, etc.)

things you've moved on from or left go in your life

new habits you've started

things you're looking forward to

old memories that affect you deeply & stay with you to this day

quotes or ideas that inspire you & why

Learn how to make a simple gratitude jar that you can use to record & collect your happy moments. Adding to it each day is an easy way to practice self-care, as it forces you to slow down and reflect on the positive things (big & small) in your everyday life. This also makes a thoughtful DIY gift for friends, family, or anyone who's going through a rough patch.

MATERIALS:

1 glass jar with lid - like a mason jar, hermetically sealed jar, etc.

1 pack of index cards or cardstock cut down into your preferred size (you'll need 52 pieces of paper for a weekly jar)

a few good pens in your favorite color

Decorations (optional): a kraft sticker or chalkboard sticker or chalkboard paint for decorating the jar with a "gratitude jar", "happy jar" or "good things jar" label

 

 

STEPS:

Buy the jar, cards, and pens and set them next to each other in a place where you can easily see the jar & remember to add to it weekly (or daily if you prefer).

Create a written and/or digital reminder to yourself to add to the jar all year long. This makes it easy to add to your routine!

DECORATING OPTION: If you're gifting this to someone else (or want to decorate it for yourself), wrap some hemp cord (plain or colored) around the top of the jar, then apply a sticker or several layers of chalkboard paint to one side of the jar. Write "gratitude jar", "happy jar", or "good things jar" using your favorite pen, markers, or chalk. You could even get a nice tag to tie onto the cord and write brief instructions for how to use the jar, and pair it with a few good-quality pens. 

Choosing To Stay Booked, Busy & Blessed Despite COVID-19

In recent months - weeks for some, the #1 trending topic has been CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19).
Each time we pick up our mobile devices, turn on the TV, or sign onto a social media platform we have been inundated with life saving information for ourselves and families. Unfortunately, we have also been overwhelmed with doom and gloom, conspiracy theorists, and misinformation from trusted individuals.  My day to day routine, just like yours, has been completely turned upside down.
Thankfully, many have created a good balance between staying informed, and not allowing themselves to become engrossed in the fake news frenzy.

The very first weekend the STAY HOME order was put in place in my area, I had some pretty major professional and personal events that I was really looking forward to:

*The 3rd Annual Middle & High School STEP Show and Competition. CANCELLED!
*My Non Profit  The Lemonade Stand Kidpreneur Workshop. CANCELLED!!
*My VERY off-off-off Broadway Dance Theatre performance at York College. CANCELLED!!!.

I sat at home that weekend, totally bummed at how quickly the events that took me months to plan, were altered, how necessary it is for us all to embrace change and learn how to pivot when times like this arise.
Then the domino effect began; schools across the country closed their doors and implemented remote learning curriculum - what seemed like overnight,  business' started to close, the toilet paper wars began, more and more events were cancelled, news channels all began to look and sound alike...and everyone was fearing the unknown.

People everywhere began to panic and due to me not being a panicky type of person,  I had a decision to make. The decision was exactly how much of my peace, joy, energy, and time was I going to dedicate to this crisis. I chose to be a vessel of information, good cheer, and hope rather than the bad news bone collector.

I figured my personal and professional purpose had always been sharing ideas and options where there would otherwise be none. So my mission now was to share educational activities for children, daily scheduling templates, meal prep ideas, funny, uplifting social media posts, easy at home exercise and entertainment options to keep households engaged and stress free.
It was imperative to convey to my friends, family, social media circle, and readers that this was our new normal- for now; not forever. I had every intention of surviving this and they would too.

It was and still is vital that we keep talking, laughing, planning, sharing, moving and enjoying each other whether there are 50, 10 or 2 of us gathered,  6 feet apart or on Zoom. Especially for those in our families that may have a harder time adjusting to drastic changes in their day to day routines; the children and the elderly. Both of which live with me.

Just as I did before the crisis, I found ways to stay busy and gladly invited others along for the ride.

To my surprise there were more just like me out there hosting parties, attending classes, courses, webinars, podcasts, tours, support groups etc.

My "What I Did During Quarantine" Journal  (so far)

Last weekend, we drove to Washington DC to move my daughter out of her Off Campus Apartment. ROAD TRIP!!!  We found a virtual dance party on Instagram hosted by DJ D-Nice. THE LEGEND.  He got us through about five hours of cleaning cabinets and packing boxes; My husband and I 2-stepping down memory lane, while my daughter was totally mortified and sharing it on SnapChat.
DJ D-Nice even got us back up I-95 for the 4 hour drive back home the next day.

Our family participated in Social Distancing Spirit Week (Pajama Day, Crazy Sock Day, Xmas in March Day, Twin Day, Disney Day)

Entertained the shoppers in Aisles 6, 7, and 8 at STOP N SHOP;  Dance video off-course!

Toured The Orchid Show at the Botanical Gardens

Danced with The Alvin Ailey Dancers (they were so kind and patient)

Attended a Dance Class taught by Debbie Allen & another by Brukwine Aerobics

Accepted a few Tik Tok Dance Challenges

Raised my glass for a good friend at her 50th Birthday Party via ZOOM

Movie Nights (Tiger King, 21 Bridges, Richard Jewell, Uncorked, Family, Madam CJ Walker)

Journaling / Blogging / Reading

Cooking; Mr. & Mrs. Cook-off (Coming Soon)

Was even able to get some really good "couch seats" for friends to see Elton John & Backstreet Boys

A few Virtual Vacations (Europe & Central America were drastically discounted)

Preparing to be interviewed on a Podcast this week

Tonight my AMAZING Wedding DJ is hosting a Virtual Birthday party with Old School Tunes

....more planning......more planning........MORE PLANNING!!

Can you imagine turning down a Quarantine invitation because you've already made "other plans"????

We can all agree that this adjustment of staying home, not being able to spend time with friends and family the way we were accustomed, remembering to run at top speed  if someone looks like  they want to embrace you or release a cough, and putting on battle armor just to purchase milk is a very hard pill to swallow.

Please keep in mind though, that we determine how we come out of this crisis. We either allow time to pass us by while sitting at home on the couch, or we can choose to feed our mind, body, spirit and soul by getting up, getting dressed and LIVING LIFE! .

What will you choose??? 

Our hearts and prayers go out to every man, woman and child that has been affected by this Pandemic. We acknowledge the people that have lost loved ones, colleagues, jobs, business opportunities, and those that have had their education journey interrupted.
We extend our utmost gratitude to all of  the essential professionals that are still getting up each and everyday, to make physical, mental and emotional sacrifices for the safety of their communities.

Please continue to adhere to the health and safety recommendations by the CDC and local elected officials.

Be Safe. Stay Home. Be Well.

6 Important Lessons Our Kids Can Learn From Kobe Bryant

On Sunday, January 26th, Hall-of-Fame basketball player and iconic leader Kobe Bryant died at 41. The tragic helicopter crash that took his and eight other lives shows just how fragile life really is — one moment we’re here, and the next we’re gone. Here are six valuable lessons We’ve learned from him over the years:

1. Relentless work ethic

Kobe was famous for his relentless work ethic and his intolerance of those who did not share it. He once said, "I have nothing in common with lazy people who blame others for their lack of success. Great things come from hard work and perseverance. No excuses." 

He was always willing to put in the hours because he didn’t want to get beat by the competition and never made excuses. He played a game left-handed when an injured shoulder kept him from shooting with his right. He played a game with a 102-degree fever and famously stayed in the game to make his free throws after tearing his Achilles.

That’s the type of work ethic that begins separating you from the rest of the crowd. When you’re willing to work on your craft or business and put in the hours when everyone else is sleeping, you start pulling away from the pack.

2. Becoming obsessive

Kobe didn't just invest his time and sweat into basketball — he dedicated himself in every way to becoming one of the best. "If you want to be great in a particular area," he once said, "you have to obsess over it. A lot of people say they want to be great, but they're not willing to make the sacrifices necessary to achieve greatness. They have other concerns, whether important or not, and they spread themselves out."

There was no hiding Kobe's deep love for basketball, and that’s exactly the mentality you must have if you want to become the best in your niche. Embrace your passion, your obsession, and use it to reach heights others can't.

Fall in love with the process of what you do. If you’re only in it for the money, fame or accolades, you’re not going to make it very far. 

3. Leaders create leaders

“I liked challenging people and making them uncomfortable," Kobe once said. "That’s what leads to introspection and that’s what leads to improvement. You could say I dared people to be their best selves.” 

On the court, Kobe was a powerful-if-controversial leader for his team. He always aggressively pushed his teammates to be their best, and while some have called Kobe a bully, the former Laker explained his strategy in his book, Mamba Mentality: “I varied my approach from player to player. I still challenged everyone and made them uncomfortable, I just did it in a way that was tailored to them. To learn what would work and for who, I started doing homework and watched how they behaved. I learned their histories and listened to what their goals were. I learned what made them feel secure and where their greatest doubts lay. Once I understood them, I could help bring the best out of them by touching the right nerve at the right time.”

4. Embracing new skills

One of the questions Kobe often asked himself after retiring in 2016 was, “What do I enjoy doing?” When he found the answer — storytelling — he pushed and founded multimedia production company Granity Studios.

In 2018, Kobe won an Academy Award, a Sports Emmy and an Annie Award for his short animated film Dear Basketball. He was proud of being the first African American to win an award in that category and believed there needed to be more diversity.

Kobe said then, “I remain focused on changing the world in positive ways through diverse stories, characters and leadership in order to inspire the next generation.”

5. The Mamba Mindset

At 13 years old, Kobe decided he was going to be one of the best basketball players who ever played. Everything else had to be pushed to the side.

In an interview, Kobe says he was inspired by great players like Michael Jordan and Magic Jordan. He'd watch their amazing feats and ask himself, "Can I get to that level?"

His answer: "I don't know, but let's find out."

He believed that if others could do something, then he could too. When you follow in the footsteps of successful people, you can get similar or even better results. Whether you're building a business, becoming a great athlete, learning a new skill or adopting a new habit, modeling your actions and habits after someone who’s already successful saves you the most time and money in the long run.

6. How to handle pressure

In both business and life, you’re going to have to make vital decisions when you’re under pressure. Sometimes, the decision you make may not be the right one but that’s where we learn the most. This is what Kobe experienced in his first year in the NBA.

When Kobe was just 18 years old, he attempted a shot in the final seconds of an important playoff game against the Utah Jazz. He took the shot with confidence but instead of making the game-winning basket, he shot an airball. The Lakers eventually lost in overtime. 

But, that apparent failure became a turning point for Kobe, who would spend the entire off-season working on his shot “until the sun came up.” Kobe didn't consider himself a failure, even though he failed. Instead, he used that moment as feedback to work on what he needed to improve. He once said, "Everything negative — pressure, challenges – is all an opportunity for me to rise," and he used that mentality to rebound from an early setback.

Kobe went on to make 36 winning game shots in his 20-year career. His last game-winning shot (in the final game he ever played) came against the Utah Jazz. Even under heavy pressure, Kobe wasn’t afraid to rise to the occasion.

Your Message Is BIGGER Than Your Circumstance

So,  I was just sitting at home, minding my own business when I heard Cynthia Erivo (the Star of the soon to be released film "HARRIET" in theaters this Friday) say,

 "Your message is bigger than your circumstance". 

I immediately jumped up, and grabbed my laptop, because I thought someone else may need to be reminded of that as well. 

Each day, everyone of us young,old, black, white, tall, short, rich, not so rich,  experience lonely, painful, challenges that we assume no-one could possibly understand. Remember those challenges when we are in so deep, prevent us from seeing that many before us have experienced the same or worse and survived. 

It's possible! 

Quite a few of us do not have the family situation we would like to have; some struggle with health issues; many struggle with employment and financial challenges; if you are a student, you may have issues meeting your academic goals;  most if not all of us struggle  with trying to move on from some type of loss that we have endured. I am here to tell you as a person that has been affected and deeply hurt by all of the above, I have survived, and am living proof that my message is way bigger than my circumstance. 

We  often make decisions, some good and some not so good, based on the emotions and perception of our circumstances.  Each of us  have a responsibility  not only to our families and community but most importantly to ourselves, to make choices that will benefit us and help us become better people. Don't use your circumstance - not matter how dark and frustrating, as an excuse  not to  be the best version of yourself; instead try and see how you can use your journey and message to inspire and encourage others to be their best self as well.

Everyday, I CHOOSE to surround myself only with friends and family, that encourage me to share my best message; not my worst circumstance. So no matter what the universe throws our way, let's  always strive to be an example to others. 

 We each have a message, a story, a purpose, and it is very important that we honor that even in the midst of our challenging circmstances. 

Cynthia Erivo was also a cast member in the Broadway version of The Color Purple and she performed a song titled "I'm Here". 

I thought the lyrics were so fitting for this Mindset Moment.  

Please take a moment to listen, hopefully share this message & INSPIRE. 

Copy & Paste the link below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-aAn2u5Pr4#action=share