Brother David Steindl-Rast says, “In daily life we must see that it is not happiness that makes us grateful, but gratefulness that makes us happy.”

I recently came across a post by author Elizabeth Gilbert and she was talking about this wonderful thing called a Happiness Jar.

I was so intrigued, I began a simple internet search to find out more.

Here’s the basic idea: Write down one happy moment every day of the year and put it in a jar. It’s that simple. The main challenge is remembering to do it.

The practice of paying attention to small moments can ground us into what really matters. We can generate gratitude for things we may otherwise overlook. Similar to keeping a gratitude journal, this practice strengthens our attention toward positives when our minds may more frequently gravitate toward noticing what’s wrong. That being said, simply beginning to notice our habits of mind is an interesting investigation in itself.

Back to the Happiness Jar…As I thought more about it, the teacher in me began brainstorming the possibilities of a Happiness Jar in my classroom. It’s simple enough to implement and can support both teachers and students in shifting our attention toward gratitude. I also like the possibility of creating a collective “bank” of happy moments. I can see this being supportive during times of difficulty. Anyone who needs a little boost (teachers included) can go to the jar, pick up a card, read it and remember a moment of happiness. Such a great way to cultivate connection within the classroom community!

I’m so grateful for learning new ideas!!

xo