Sandy Jessop
On Jan. 24 of this year, the Cancer Support Group welcomed our new year with a united resolution: to make gratitude a part of our daily lives.
When life is going well, it’s relatively easy to think of something to be grateful for every day. But when you and/or loved ones are faced with cancer, or any other uncommon and scary event, it affects your entire life!
Making yourself accountable to identify one thing to be thankful for every day will impact both mental and physical well-being. Of course, this makes a huge difference in the lives of your loved ones, too. Studies and research show that gratitude can lead to positive effects in many areas of life, including stress reduction, sleep, energy, and mental health.
For this meeting, each attendee was asked to bring an empty jar. They had no idea how these jars would be used (although a few people had some very creative guesses!). After a few fun and meaningful activities, attendees were provided with materials to decorate their own personal or household gratitude jar.
Try Making and Using Your Own Gratitude Jar!
Imagine starting and ending your day with a heart full of gratitude. By incorporating daily notes of thanks and regularly reviewing your gratitude notes, you will notice a profoundly positive effect through this simple habit.
Creating a new habit requires consistency and a bit of motivation. Here are some helpful tips:
* Choose a time of day that works best for you to write down your gratitude notes.
* Commit to writing one note each day.
* Celebrate the little things! You don’t have to wait for big moments to feel grateful. Sometimes, the smallest things can bring the most joy.
* Reflect on acts of kindness, whether you were the giver or the receiver.
* Acknowledge moments of personal growth or self-discovery.
Finally, dedicate time at the end of each month (or even each week!) to read through your gratitude notes. Doing this consistently can give you a broader perspective on the positive trends in your life. Consider sharing this time with a partner or close friend.
Would you like to join the Cancer Support Group? If you…
* are a cancer survivor; OR
* are now or have ever been a caregiver; OR
* have family or friends living with cancer
… this club is for you!
To join the Cancer Support Group, please contact Sandy Jessop at [email protected]. You can also join our group on the TeamReach app using the code SBR-CSG24.