Thankfulness Jar

Donna Nichols • November 10, 2023
A mason jar with a tag that says `` thankful '' is sitting on a wooden table.

How about making a thankfulness jar this year? This is an activity for people of all ages. With all the bad things going on in this world, maybe some joy and thankfulness is what we all need. Let’s make a jar we can go back to and remember why we should be happy and grateful.


The Oxford Dictionary states that being ‘thankful’, is being ‘pleased and relieved’. It is a feeling. A warm and pleasing state of mind. Feeling gratitude is an action, like saying, ‘thank you’. It is something we have been conditioned into saying from the moment we learn to talk. It is an automatic response. However, this “automatic” response has been lacking by so many these days. We need to get back to using our manners and saying please and thank you to others.


A thankfulness jar can be made at home, in school, or in an assisted living community. It doesn’t require many tools and the benefits will be plentiful.


First, you will need a jar of any size, some slips of paper, ribbon, a sharpie, fabric, glue or tape, wrapping paper (or whatever you’d like to decorate your jar with), and a pen.


The process is so simple, you decorate your jar and write on the slips of paper what you are thankful for and put them in the jar. Whenever you are feeling blue, or the bad things happening in this world are getting you down, you can go back to your jar and read the slips of paper.


Some of the benefits of a thankfulness jar are:


  1. Gratitude opens the door to more relationships.
  2. Gratitude improves physical health.
  3. Gratitude improves psychological health.
  4. Gratitude enhances empathy and reduces aggression.
  5. Grateful people sleep better.
  6. Gratitude improves self-esteem.
  7. Gratitude increases mental strength.


It’s a no-lose project and you may even have some fun creating your jar.


If you are making your thankfulness jar for only a short period of time, why not write a slip every day and pop it in the jar. If you are doing your jar for a longer period, why not write out a slip at the end of the week. Perhaps make it a family event, where you all take a moment together and sit quietly to write on separate pieces of paper. When the time comes at the end of your thankfulness jar period, open the jar, pour them all out and read them. See which ones are your favorites, or which ones have been said more than once.


If you are up for a challenge, why not start one this Thanksgiving and do it for a whole year? Every couple of weeks write a note out. Then in a years’ time, when you are all together around the table, pour them all out. Reminisce, laugh, cry and be happy together.


If you can’t come up with anything to write, here are some quotes that may help stimulate your imagination or at least give you something to think about.


“If a fellow isn't thankful for what he’s got, he isn't likely to be thankful for what he's going to get.”
—Frank A. Clark


“When you arise in the morning give thanks for the food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies only in yourself.”
—Tecumseh


“When you are grateful, fear disappears, and abundance appears.”
—Anthony Robbins


 “Strive to find things to be thankful for, and just look for the good in who you are.”

—Bethany Hamilton


“I have a lot to be thankful for. I am healthy, happy and I am loved.”
—Reba McEntire


“When eating fruit, remember the one who planted the tree.”
—Vietnamese Proverb


“He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not but rejoices for those which he has.”

—Epictetus


“The deepest craving of human nature is the need to be appreciated.”
—William James



Assisted Living Made Simple hopes you have many things to be thankful and grateful for this holiday season and all year long. Should you decide to make a thankfulness jar, please call us at 386-847-2322 and tell us how it went or post a picture of it to our Facebook page.


 

Protecting Your Skin at Every Age — Especially Under the Florida Sun

By Donna Nichols • May 4, 2026
May is Melanoma and Skin Cancer Awareness Month, an important time to talk about protecting the skin we live in. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, and Florida’s year‑round sunshine makes awareness especially important for seniors. Many older adults grew up in a time before sunscreen was widely used, which means decades of sun exposure may increase risk today. Melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer, can develop quickly — but when caught early, it is highly treatable. Other types of skin cancer, like basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma, are also common in seniors and often appear on areas that have seen the most sun over the years: the face, ears, neck, arms, and hands. What to look for: Early detection saves lives. Seniors should watch for: • New spots or moles • Changes in size, shape, or color • Spots that itch, bleed, or don’t heal • Anything that looks different from the rest Dermatologists often use the ABCDE rule to help identify concerning changes: Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color variation, Diameter larger than a pencil eraser, and Evolving over time. Simple ways to protect your skin: • Wear a wide‑brimmed hat and lightweight long sleeves when outdoors • Use sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher and reapply regularly • Seek shade during peak sun hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) • Avoid tanning beds • Schedule regular skin checks with a dermatologist, especially if you’ve had sunburns in the past Skin cancer awareness isn’t about avoiding the outdoors — it’s about enjoying it safely. Sunshine can lift our spirits, support healthy sleep, and encourage movement, but it’s important to protect ourselves along the way. With a few mindful habits and regular check‑ins, seniors can stay active, confident, and sun‑smart all year long.

Staying Active as the Weather Warms

By Donna Nichols • April 17, 2026
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Allergy Season Is Here: What Seniors Should Know

By Donna Nichols • April 2, 2026
April in Florida means sunshine, flowers, and… pollen. Lots of pollen. For many seniors, allergy season can bring sneezing, itchy eyes, congestion, and fatigue — symptoms that can be frustrating but manageable with awareness and simple habits. Here’s what older adults and caregivers should keep in mind as allergy season peaks. 1. Allergies Can Change Ov er Time Even if someone never had allergies before, they can develop later in life. The immune system shifts with age, and new sensitivities can appear. If symptoms show up suddenly each spring, allergies may be the reason. 2. Pollen Counts Are Highest in the Morning For seniors who enjoy morning walks or porch time, this can be a surprise. On high‑pollen days, shifting outdoor time to later in the afternoon can make a big difference. 3. Staying Hydrated Helps Ease Symptoms Water thins mucus, supports the immune system, and helps the body flush irritants. Seniors often drink less than they realize, so gentle reminders — a water bottle nearby, herbal tea, flavored water — can help. 4. Keep the Indoors as Allergen‑Free as Possible A few simple habits go a long way: • Keep windows closed on high‑pollen days • Change air filters regularly • Remove shoes at the door • Shower or change clothes after being outside These small steps help reduce the amount of pollen that sneaks indoors. 5. Pay Attention to New or Worsening Symptoms If allergy symptoms feel different than usual, last longer than expected, or interfere with daily life, it’s a good time to check in with a healthcare provider. Sometimes what looks like allergies can be something else entirely. A Breath of Fresh (and Cleaner) Air Allergies may be part of spring, but they don’t have to steal the joy of the season. With a little awareness and a few simple habits, seniors can stay comfortable, active, and able to enjoy everything April has to offer.