KICK OFF THE NEW YEAR WITH GRATITUDE One Jar, Countless Smiles
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, scraps of paper, and a few minutes daily, you can build a collection of joyful moments your family will treasure all year. Getting Started 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. Staying Safe on Dark Wintertime Roads Early Nightfall, Rising Risks Many people see changing their clocks twice a year for daylight saving time as a major inconvenience, leading to fatigue, reduced productivity, and increased mental health problems such as depression and anxiety. The earlier onset of darkness also leads to additional hazards on the highway. While fatal crashes are most likely to occur between 8 p.m. and 11:59 p.m. during the spring and summer months, the deadliest hours from November
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. 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.
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! Also, some people are more likely to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs when it’s dark, in hopes that they won’t be noticed and pulled over by police. To protect yourself and your loved ones from highway hazards, try to avoid trips late in the day, if possible. Make sure your headlights are in good working order, including both high and low beams. Allow more time to complete nighttime trips and errands to reduce the risk of feeling rushed. Drive more slowly in general to allow yourself more time to react to hazards ahead. And if you fall victim to a highway accident because of another driver’s negligence after dark or at any time of day, contact us for a free consultation. We will take all these factors into account to make sure your rights are protected and you are fairly compensated for any injuries or other harm you experience.
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 something specific, even if it’s small, like “the puppy barking” or “a funny joke.” Give them
through March are 4 p.m. to 7:59 p.m., according to the National Safety Council.
Nightfall arrives more than 3 1/2 hours earlier this month, compared with the longest day of the year, June 21. The sun sets in the St. Louis area at 4:50 p.m. on Jan. 1, compared with 8:29 p.m. on June 21. That means several daily periods of increased traffic take place after dark, including rush hour for commuters and after-school activities for children and teens. The highways are more dangerous after dark for several reasons. The body tends to feel more fatigued in darkness, slowing drivers’ reflexes and increasing the possibility of falling asleep behind the wheel. Drivers’ visibility is reduced, making it harder to spot pedestrians, pets, wildlife, or other vehicles crossing in front of them. Darkness also increases the difficulty of spotting hazards approaching an intersection from the side, such as another driver speeding toward a red light without stopping.
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