Good News

The women in the art therapy group enjoy playful times and the beginning of a fresh new year calls for some positive intentions. We want to experience success. Paying attention to the good Stuff leaves us less time to notice the toxic negative Stuff. At the same time, we want to avoid Resolutions. They always seem to end badly after trashing our self-esteem.

A year ago, we made mini Vision boards in the group. With only an hour to find what pictures and words in magazines attracted us personally and to make quick collages we were forced to make fast decisions. I encouraged them to choose from their heart without trying to figure out what they should be choosing. 

As always, the best part was in the discussion of each woman's piece. One woman found a picture of someone swimming and talked about going to aqua fit. Another woman found pictures of clay pots she would love to make. Both of those choices became reality in the months that followed and as a group we celebrated their successes.

Now what to do this year? Deep in my thick folder of Possible Activities I found a picture of a Good News jar. We can enjoy personalizing the jars with tissue paper/ diluted white glue/ words, stickers etc. Then we can add some little notes of good things as they happen throughout the year, collecting them in the jar to be re-read at the end of December. The trick of finding the Good News is noticing the good stuff while it happens and being grateful. This strategy is something we emphasize over and over in group.

Do you by any chance have empty glass jars heading for the blue bin? We could use them in our group… OR maybe you would like to make your own Good News Jar?