JAR OF GOODNESS

A few weeks ago, I attended a friend’s White Elephant Gift Exchange. There I met an interesting woman who shared a story with me about a particular time in her life when she adopted a daily practice in order to focus on the positives in her life. As soon as I heard her story, I told her, “I’m stealin’ that idea!”

When I reflect back on what and how I was feeling exactly one year ago today, I really wasn’t sure how I, or any of us, was going to get through the coming year. Aside from the anxiety and uncertainty, which was increasing exponentially day by day, I also had not slept well, or some nights not AT ALL, since the prior election in November of 2024. Mother Ship, come get me!!!!

Nevertheless, somehow, we prevailed and here we are. Despite the mierda hitting the fan and most of our fears coming true, we managed to avoid a zombie apocalypse. At least for now. Don’t go too far, Mother Ship. I may still need to jump onboard.

But I digress. Back to my story about stealing ideas.

Before the world as I know it came to an end during the election of 2016, I used to love all those “year-end wrap-up” shows, podcasts, news stories, etc. But NOT ANYMORE! Especially not THIS year. Anytime a podcast automatically downloaded one of those stories onto “my episodes,” I immediately deleted it, shouting, “Nope! Not today, Satan!” However, one of my usual podcasts had an episode called Happy Files 2025, in which the hosts shared the moments that restored something, surprised them, or reminded them of what’s important. And this reminded me of the story that woman at the party told me. For one whole year she decided she would write down one good thing that happened each day on a small piece of paper, which she would place inside a jar. At the end of the year, she would have an entire jar full of goodness! And she could go back and read them and be reminded of how good life truly is despite it appearing that there is only mierda hitting the fan. (For those of you who don’t read/understand/speak Spanish – mierda means SHIT.)

Another little digression: The hosts shared stories from three categories – Best moments personally, professionally, and societally. I found myself getting depressed when I realized I couldn’t think of one day that I could classify as my best day of 2025. Now, intellectually and emotionally I knew that couldn’t possibly be true. A lot of good things did indeed happen for me in 2025, but in my existential end-of-the-year/holiday blues moment, I couldn’t think of anything that really stood out. And then it hit me. Of course! My birthday date with my son, when we spent the day up in San Francisco visiting the Paul McCartney photography exhibit at the De Young Museum, sightseeing, and going out for dinner. That day was wonderful because it reminded me of when he was little. Before he was school age, each morning I would pack a lunch and he and I would set off on an adventure. Most of the time it wasn’t anything fancy, but we made some really great memories (I hope), and some day he'll tell his kids about their super-ultra-cool grandma and how he had the BEST MOM EVERRRR. Here’s an example of one of those adventures. Aaron LOVED bridges, tunnels, and really tall slides. Looking back, this was obviously a precursor to his love of and fascination with rollercoasters and amusement parks. Anyway, one day we made a field trip of finding all the pedestrian bridges that cross the 85 freeway between Almaden and Campbell, parked my car somewhere in the surrounding neighborhood, and we walked across the bridge, peered down at the speeding cars underneath, and walked back to the car. Then, on to find the next bridge. See?! What a cool mom, am I right? This is what I’m talkin’ bout.

So, back to my story.

Despite my best intentions, I don’t write in this blog very often because I’m really bad at the whole Social Media presence/technology/keeping-up-with-the-Jones (or Kardashians) thingy. However, although I do enjoy journaling, I don’t want to just write for the hell of it. I only want to write in my blog and post something when I actually have something interesting to say.

Beginning tomorrow – the first day of 2026, I will share right here on this blog what I write down on a slip of paper and place inside my jar of the best moment from each day. Also, if you do read my blog and either "like" or comment, you will help hold me accountable so that I keeping doing it.

Happy New Year!