The genesis of the positivity jar

It started on a quiet New Year’s Eve. My family and I were gathered together watching the festivities on TV and enjoying our annual spread of appetizers. We were reflecting on the year that had passed. I asked everyone to share a few of their favorite memories. Some moments that made them smile, laugh, or feel proud.

To my surprise, my children struggled to recall the joyful parts. Instead, they spoke about the hard days, the challenges, and the disappointments. It struck me how naturally our minds hold onto the tough stuff, while the beautiful moments often slip quietly into the background.

I knew we needed a shift. We needed to purposely acknowledge the positive moments in each day.

So, I tried something simple.

Each week, we started writing down the little sparks of happiness and the everyday wins. We call them Mini Miracles.

Some were big: scoring a touchdown, performing on stage, attending a special event. Others were small but meaningful: a shared laugh, a sunny walk, a bowl of favorite ice cream. Whatever made us smile, we wrote it down on a small card and dropped it into a glass jar. We kept the jar on the desk where everyone passed by it every day.

That jar began to fill with light.

Then, on the next New Year’s Eve, we opened it. One by one, we read through our notes. What unfolded was a beautiful timeline of joy and gratitude. It was a collection of reminders that even in a year that may have felt heavy at times, there had been so many bright moments worth remembering.

That jar became more than just a family project. It became a tradition. A source of healing. A practice in noticing the joys around us.

Today, we call it The Positivity Jar. It’s a simple, powerful way to honor the good in our lives, one memory at a time.

We invite you to create your own Positivity Jar! Visit our products page to begin your journey today!