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Bex Hall > Memoir in Objects > The gratitude jar

The gratitude jar

May 22, 2022

In late 2015, a year post-transplant, my physical health had improved, but mentally and emotionally, I still struggled with survivor’s guilt and depression.

My counselor suggested I try a 365 grateful project: each night, for a year, write something down about my day I was thankful for. So I did.

On January 1st, 2016, I began the project and used random scraps of paper tossed into a basket. After a few weeks, I put a cube of colorful notes into service and used an old Mason jar for a container.

As the bottom of the jar filled, the weight I felt lessened. I caught glimpses of light through the veil of darkness that seemed to cloak me. There were some days, like on August 9th, all I could write was one word: Nothing.

Fortunately, that was the only day I couldn’t come up with even one thing I was thankful for.

On January 1st, 2017, I opened and sorted the notes and relived the previous year, one day at a time. I found messages from others who had added their notes to the jar; each one a heartwarming hug on that cold winter morning.

Seeing and celebrating the good in my life every day, even in small ways, I experienced firsthand the extraordinary power of gratitude.

I could not ask for more.


This is the 49th story in the Objects as Waypoints Writing Project series.

Gratitude Jar 2016
Gratitude Jar 2016
Gratitude Jar 2016
Gratitude Jar 2016
Gratitude Jar 2016
Gratitude Jar 2016
Gratitude Jar 2016
Gratitude Jar 2016
Gratitude Jar 2016
Gratitude Jar 2016

Filed Under: Memoir in Objects Tagged With: the 100 day project 2022, the objects

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About Bex

 

Bex Hall

Her writing has appeared in various online and print publications, most recently in Kerning, a literary magazine, and in the Stories of Hope Collection in Transplant Living. Her artwork has appeared and sold through the Grayson Gallery. She blogs here about creative life and creates in Studio BE overlooking the Ohio River. Her work in progress is a memoir about the secret life of objects.

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  • Creative practice goals:

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