For my mother’s 80th birthday, my family members tried to think of a practical gift that she would love but that wouldn’t take up much space in her tiny apartment.
Based on an idea from a magazine, we found a small wooden box with a hinged lid and wrote “Memory Box” on the top.
Then each of us six kids wrote notes on small pieces of paper and put them into the box. Each note described one memory of my mom and then thanked her for that memory.
Some were simple such as “Thanks for comforting me when I skinned my knee as a kid.” Others were more elaborate. “I appreciate how you pushed me to finish my college degree when I was ready to drop out of school.” After working on this for a couple weeks, we ended up with more than 100 notes in the box.
We gift-wrapped the box and gave it to her at her birthday celebration. I still remember how she cried as she read the notes one at a time. It was one of the most meaningful times I can remember with my mom and my siblings. My mom kept that box and read those notes many times until her death five years later.
The weight-loss connection
Your ability to follow your weight-loss plan and stick with your exercise program is connected to your inner spirit. And sometimes that needs a boost. When you send thoughts outward instead of inward, you find back energy and motivation to work on your goals.
There is such power in gratitude. When you write memory box notes, you heal your own spirit by brightening someone else’s day. In fact, sharing my own memory box thoughts today made me feel great! You’ll also give people a gift that never wears out or gets thrown away.
How to make a memory box
Today, I want you to create a memory box by writing notes to people you love. You can use a real box or a virtual one, and your notes can be written to one specific person or to many different people.
Start each note with “I remember…” or “I appreciate…” Then add some details or a specific memory. Finish with a statement of gratitude for that person and the way they contributed to your life.
Write at least ten notes to people you love and appreciate, then share them with the person you wrote them for. If you can’t do this in person, you can also mail the notes or send them by email.
You can even do a memory box for someone who has passed away. Share all the things you loved and appreciated about them, then read the notes aloud in a quiet place. Trust that your loved one will hear you and receive your appreciation. Then keep those memory notes where you can pull them out easily.
After you complete this exercise, I want you to feel the healing and energy from your new virtual memory box. Use that energy to improve your focus and determination to continue on your weight-management path.