KICK OFF THE NEW YEAR WITH GRATITUDE ONE JAR, COUNTLESS SMILES
Prepare the supplies. Cut paper into squares (3-by-3 inches works nicely) and have pens, crayons, or markers nearby. If someone doesn’t love writing, they can draw, circle options, or dictate for an adult to write. Have extras ready so you’re never scrambling.
The start of a new year always feels like a blank page full of possibilities. While many families dive into resolutions and goal-setting, try another tradition just as powerful (and a lot more fun): creating a family gratitude jar. Instead of focusing on what to change, this little project helps you notice and celebrate what’s already good in your life. With nothing more than a jar,
something specific, even if it’s small, like “the puppy barking” or “a funny joke.” Give them space. Then have them write or draw it, slip it into the jar, and (if you like) share aloud. Make it meaningful later. Open the jar together once a month or at the end of the year and read through the notes. You’ll be surprised how small moments you may have forgotten feel powerful all over again. Use them to spark intention for the coming year: “I want more of that,” or “Let’s do more kind acts like this.” Starting a gratitude jar is about building a modest, consistent habit that opens your eyes to abundance. Over time, the jar becomes a treasure chest of your family’s stories, reminders, and unseen miracles. That collective memory anchors your family in kindness, wonder, and connection as each new year unfolds!
Set a daily ritual. Decide together when you’ll pause to think and share. It could be after dinner, tucked into bedtime routines, or first thing in the morning. What matters is consistency. Stick with it long enough that it becomes part of your rhythm. Use a simple prompt. Here’s an easy method: Ask each person, “What was a bright moment today?” Encourage them to name
scraps of paper, and a few minutes daily, you can build a collection of joyful moments your family will treasure all year. Pick a container. It doesn’t have to be fancy. A mason jar, decorated tin, or clear plastic container all work as long as they can sit where you’ll see them daily.
LEGAL RECORDS THAT LINGER ONLINE Cleaning Up Your Digital Past
People often assume their legal troubles are over once the case is resolved, but many are surprised to learn that their arrest and court records still appear when someone searches their name online. That means even if you weren’t convicted, your name could still appear in online databases, news stories, or background check reports long after the incident. Under the Texas Government Code, the public has the right to access information maintained by governmental bodies. That includes criminal case files and court proceedings. Once a record is available to the public, private websites may copy and repost that information. Some of these are mugshot sites. Others are automated watchers or background data brokers that scrape data from government sources. There’s also the search engine factor. Once your name appears online, Google and other search engines can index that page. So, even if the original source updates or deletes the content, the cached version may still appear in search results for some time. This can affect job opportunities, housing, and even social relationships.
charge a fee or ignore requests. And even if one site removes your information,
others may still host it. If the record came from a local law enforcement agency, it may remain accessible through that agency’s own portal or through the Texas Department of Public Safety’s Criminal History Search. That said, you can still do a few things if you’re worried about what shows up under your name. First, search your name regularly. Next, review any court documents for errors or outdated information. You can also try to build positive search results by setting up a LinkedIn profile, building a professional website, or working with a reputation management company to create high-ranking online content. Taking small steps to manage your digital footprint can make a real difference. Legal remedies, such as expunction and nondisclosure, may also be applicable in certain cases. An attorney can confirm if this is an option and help you understand what’s public, what’s private, and what steps you can take to regain some control.
Unfortunately, there is no guaranteed way to make this information disappear. You can request removal from some private sites, but many
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