Earlier in the week I wrote a post about my plan to have a bit of a Soul Detox in 2013. If you're not sure what I'm harping on about, have a looksie here. To kick this thing off, I'm going to start by dragging the whole family along....
Every day I am thankful for the financial position that we are in. Yes, the OH has worked hard at building up a business and inevitably there were sacrifices in the early days, but I can quite honestly say that we have never really struggled. As a parent, I feel it is my responsibility to instill in my children, some form of gratitude for what they have. However, like most kids of their age, mine tend to walk around in a state of oblivion, preferring to concentrate on the fact that their friend at school has the latest gadget and they don't, or that they truly detest the meal that their mother has lovingly prepared for them! The reality is, our children are already onto a winner, merely by being born in the UK.
Every day I am thankful for the financial position that we are in. Yes, the OH has worked hard at building up a business and inevitably there were sacrifices in the early days, but I can quite honestly say that we have never really struggled. As a parent, I feel it is my responsibility to instill in my children, some form of gratitude for what they have. However, like most kids of their age, mine tend to walk around in a state of oblivion, preferring to concentrate on the fact that their friend at school has the latest gadget and they don't, or that they truly detest the meal that their mother has lovingly prepared for them! The reality is, our children are already onto a winner, merely by being born in the UK.
With this in mind, we have set ourselves a new challenge for 2013. A challenge to count our blessings. Quite literally. I cannot take credit for this idea as I spotted it on Facebook some months ago. After 'tweeting' it, 'sharing' it and generally plastering it over every social networking site available, I am aware that one or two friends have also taken up the challenge.
The idea is that every family member is given the opportunity to write something they are thankful for on a slip of paper and place it in the jar - a fun play date, the best birthday present ever, a new account at work, 5 minutes peace and quiet (guess who that was?!).....whatever it is, it doesn't necessarily have to be shared there and then. At the end of 2013, we will open up the jar and read out our little notes, with the aim of focussing on our blessings and all that we have to be thankful for in that year.
Perhaps this sounds a bit 'twee' to you, particularly if the Government's announcement to cap benefits has left you wondering how you will make ends meet over the next 5 years. I am convinced however, that if we all just spend a little more time focussing on the blessings rather than the curses in life, our attitude and outlook will be a more positive one. And if you're sitting there thinking "that's alright for her" just look around you, or on the TV. Consider those parents who are bringing up children in war-torn countries or in villages with no running water or places to lay their heads at night. There is always someone worse off than you and always something to be thankful for, no matter how big or small.
Can I challenge you to do the same?
I am linking this post up with Michelle at Mummy from the Heart's R2BC Linky. Please read some of the other posts by clicking below.
I am linking this post up with Michelle at Mummy from the Heart's R2BC Linky. Please read some of the other posts by clicking below.
Good idea! I suspect if I raised it here I would be laughed at - and not just by the kids! We do bang on about how they should be grateful and think of others, but suspect the message doesn't get through.
ReplyDeleteYes, I am always going on about it and I thought this was a practical way to 'drum' it in! I think you (and I) may be surprised what kids take in.
DeleteWhat a great idea! Somehow I missed it before but think I might find myself a jar :o) xx
ReplyDeleteDo it, do it!
DeleteWhat a lovely idea. We are going to do a kindness pledge next month, just what we need after a Christmas of excess. xx
ReplyDeleteNow that sounds interesting. Keep my posted :)
DeleteI often tell my boys how blessed we are to have what we have ... there's always others a lot worse off :)
ReplyDeleteExactly. I just hope that they take that mentality into later life. I'm sure yours will :)
Deletewhat a fab idea..I am always reminding my son, of how lucky we are to have what we have xx
ReplyDeleteExactly!
DeleteI saw this on Pinterest and thought I must do it but I've not yet got a suitable jar - must sort one!! x
ReplyDeleteOh cool. You saw it too? Or perhaps I posted it on there as well!
DeleteExcellent idea - but I think you're going to need a bigger jar!
ReplyDeleteI hope so. Or we may just have to empty them out after 6 months and start again :)
Deletewhat a lovely idea. I have to be fair, though, my eldest, who is 15, has always been grateful for whatever he has and thankfully never been a 'show off' about what he does have x
ReplyDeleteThat's great Joanna. Must be something to do with the way you have brought him up, I'm sure. Thanks for commenting :)
DeleteBrilliant idea, there is a lot to be said for a positive attitude x
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely idea. It IS really important to be thankful for what we have. I have a spare jar in the kitchen right now. Maybe this is what it was intended for? x
ReplyDeletePerfect. Pretty it up a little bit and hey presto! x
DeleteThis is a fab idea, nice and positive! A great way to remind ourselves (and kids) to be grateful. Fab post.
ReplyDeletewe're doing something similar - best memories of 2013 in a jar :D
There's something different about your blog ... Or have I gone totally bonkers????? Anyway, I think that is a lovely, lovely idea, and such a wonderful thing to instill in your children! X.
ReplyDeleteYes, well spotted! Just had a little 'facelift'. Thanks for stopping by and for commenting :)
DeleteAnything that helps foster a sense of appreciation has to be a very good thing.
ReplyDeleteThat was my thinking exactly!
DeleteThis is a brilliant idea and will be really fun looking back remembering the good things which have happened. I think my boys are a little young this year especially as Pooh Bear has decided to replace every word he previously said (not many) with ROAAAAR! (he is dinosaur obsessed) :D
ReplyDeleteI saw that on Pinterest and have set up our little tub, with a few little notes already in! Such a lovely idea x
ReplyDeleteI think this is such a great practice. We have been through some incredibly difficult and dicey times in the last few years, and I am even thankful for those experiences, since all of the big and little blessings and stabilities are amazing in contrast to those tough times. We appreciate *everything* in our lives, and I hope that the feelings of relief and gratitude do not wear off! I think teaching children gratitude can be tricky, but making it a part of daily life forms an attitude/ heart habit.
ReplyDeletesuch a good idea, I'll have to give it a go. Too often we focus on the bad that we forget the good.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea - we do need to try and take a more positive outlook on life, wherever we are coming from. I am certainly guilty of that - focus on the great. We always talk with the kids, just before they go to sleep, about what they love doing as well. Gives them something nice to think about before they drift off...
ReplyDeletethat is such a lovely idea. We have tried doing little notes to show love / care towards each member of the family each week - but those initiatives haven't been long lived, but this one sounds great as the actual jar will serve as a prompt to remind us. So true about how lucky we all are - I know there are some people who do really struggle even in the UK, but generally speaking, most of us have to make cut backs on things that we probably can manage without, yet in other countries, they may not even though where their next meal is coming from or when it will be. x
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ReplyDeleteThat is a really great idea.
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up to Motivational Monday.
love this idea :)
ReplyDelete