While cleaning my home office recently, I stumbled upon a familiar sight tucked in the back corner of my desk; my Grammie’s cookie jar. A pang of nostalgia hit me as I remembered sneaking my favorite peanut butter cookies from it as a child. Nestled inside, instead of sweet treats, were a bunch of folded-up pieces of scrap paper- all from 2022!
My heart sank a little. This jar, you see, wasn’t for cookies, but for joy. The idea was simple: jot down little moments of joy, big or small, and drop them in the cookie jar. The plan was to revisit them on down days for a quick mood boost and to review them at the end of the year. But life with its relentless busyness, had gotten the better of me. This “Joy Jar”, a well-intentioned daily practice, had been neglected for over a year. It sat there every day, within reach, a silent reminder of my good intentions.
As I sifted through the slips of paper, a smile spread across my face. There was a simple joy in making my mom lunch despite the internal scar tissue pain, a reminder of my strength and resilience. Another slip of paper mentioned the soothing purr of my dad’s cat-a testament to the power of purring therapy, even for humans! These were the everyday moments that brought me joy and can be so easily overlooked.
Let’s be honest, life can be overwhelming. Between work, school, caregiving responsibilities, and the constant battle with lifelong injuries from a car accident, it’s easy to lose sight of the good things. Even my nightly gratitude practice, which often devolves into a verbal list of “thank yous” before sleep can feel tedious at times.
But that jar, oh that jar, was a treasure trove of forgotten joys. It served as a powerful reminder that happiness truly does reside in the little things – the birdsong outside, a blooming flower, a friend’s message, and connections with loved ones. It’s a gentle nudge to stop and smell the roses, even when life throws thorns your way. Those little moments often overlooked in the daily grind, are the sunshine that nourishes our souls. This rediscovery of my “Joy Jar” served as a wake-up call. It’s time to bring back the practice of savoring the small things, the things that make my heart sing.
So, I washed out my Grammie’s cookie jar, a symbol of both comfort and a gentle nudge from the past. It’s back on my desk, a beacon of positivity, waiting to be filled with new moments of joy. This time, I won’t let it gather dust.
This experience is a reminder to all of us:
- Stop and smell the roses. Make a conscious effort to notice the little things that bring you joy, big or small.
- Find a gratitude practice that works for you. Whether a written journal, a mental list, or simply a whispered “thank you,” acknowledge the good in your life.
- Don’t be afraid to revisit old practices. Sometimes, a nudge from the past is just what you need to pick something back up and rediscover its power.
Let’s not wait another year to refill our own personal “joy jars.” Life is a precious journey and is up to us to slow down and smell the roses and savor the sweetness along the way. Because after all, a little jar of joy can be a powerful antidote to gloominess, a reminder that even amidst life’s challenges there’s something always to be thankful for and a reason to smile.
