The Good News Box

A few weeks ago, I was invited to a networking lunch where I met some wonderful people. As part of our introductions, each of us was asked to share an interesting story. I told them about my love of mountain biking, and how my husband and I used to take annual trips to Whistler, British Columbia. We’d spend 2–3 weeks each summer riding downhill trails as much as we could—while still squeezing in a little work.

One year, I took a bad fall and ended up with a concussion. As the trail patrol checked me for injuries, they asked the usual questions: What’s your name? Where are you? How old are you? I nailed every answer—except my age. Turns out, I had been lying about it for so long that I genuinely believed I was still 29. It’s still one of our favorite stories to tell, and my husband gets even bigger laughs when he tells it.

That little story won me the prize of the day: a Good News Box. The event organizer shared how he keeps a similar box at home. Throughout the year, his family writes down things they’re grateful for—small joys, funny memories, answered prayers—and drops them into the box. On special occasions, they pull out a few notes and read them aloud. I loved the idea, and I was thrilled to take home the beautiful box.

Since the beginning of the year, I’ve been keeping a gratitude journal. As I sat down to write this post, I flipped through my entries and couldn’t stop smiling. Even in just 3½ months, I had already forgotten so many of the blessings I’ve experienced this year. There have been challenges too, of course—but I try not to dwell on what I can’t control. And when I do focus on what I can control, that often leads to a moment of gratitude that gets logged in my journal—or on a notecard for my Good News Box.

Here’s my challenge to you: Start logging 2–3 things you’re grateful for. Every. Single. Day. They don’t need to be big things. My list includes coffee with a friend, working outside on a sunny day, playing pickleball, and getting published.

And write them down. It’s great to reflect on the good parts of your day as you drift off to sleep, but if you don’t write them down, chances are you’ll forget most of those moments by next week—or even tomorrow. You will also experience days when it’s harder to find blessings. Don’t give up. If you had a meal, a warm bed, or a friend you could lean on, you still have something that brought you joy.

If you already keep a gratitude journal, flip through it the next time you’re having a tough day. You might be surprised by how a few old notes can help shift your mindset—enough to get unstuck, ease a heavy heart, or even solve the problem that’s been bothering you all day.