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Have you seen affirmation jars? They’re also known as inspiration jars or pick-me-up jars, among other names. The idea is simple: brief affirming or inspiring statements are written on paper, then inserted into envelopes, and gathered in a large container. As the need for affirmation or inspiration hits, an envelope is removed, and the message received.

This is the way I’ve chosen to encourage the women I work with every day, with handmade envelopes and hand-lettered messages. And with a little chocolate nearby, in case the inspirational messages don’t quite cut it.

You could adapt this project into something for your family, your workplace, even for use in your congregation. Invite others to participate and make the job even easier to accomplish.

Offering encouragement to one another has been on my mind lately. In these days with fewer hours of sunlight, when we often retreat to the comfort of our homes, when there are a whole lot of complaints swirling around, consider ways that you can offer encouragement to yourself and others.

As Paul exhorted the Thessalonians (1 Thessalonians 5:11), “encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.”

This message is excerpted from “Create an affirmation jar to encourage friends, colleagues” by Linda Post Bushkofsky from the March 2, 2020, blog of the Women of the ELCA.