Today marked one year since I created this blog! When I created this blog, I wanted to showcase my project, but I wanted to make it a bit different than my old blog that was a mixture of everything. At first I was just going to display the box and lessons from the box.
However, since I was undergoing a health scare and went totally gluten-free a year ago in a few weeks time, I decided that I needed to fill my life with more joy. I took a day trip to Washington D.C. for the Cherry Blossom Festival and the concept of blogging about my joy and spreading joy to others was born. I created the Happiness Box Initiative to help others, and I’ve shared my adventures because I have learned that sharing my joys in the stories I tell, spreads joy to others – more so than anything I can buy them. In fact, most of my friends told me, “don’t buy us things, Jess. We just love hearing your travel stories and the joy in your voice. It makes us happy too!”
I’m going to continue the Happiness Box Initiative this year because I do love random acts of kindness, but I am going to do more service than gifts. I think helping and being there for people is the best gift you can give. I am also going to focus on self-care more because being selfish in certain ways makes us healthier and creates selflessness. I know that might sound weird: selfishness can lead to selflessness, but I know when I feel burned out, I am not a very nice Jess. Sometimes resting and taking care of yourself will allow yourself to heal and better care for others.
Here’s a video of me transferring March’s entries from the makeshift box to the Happiness Box. March isn’t even in order! Oh well, it doesn’t remain in order when I open it on 1-1.
Thank you for all of the support for the past year! I can’t wait to celebrate for many more years to come!
The Happiness Box Project 
Hi, Jessica Marie!
Congratulations on reaching this special milestone, the one year anniversary of your Happiness Box Project Initiative blog! I think your friends got it right. Giving service to others, sharing yourself in a genuine way, spreading love and goodwill are more powerful than the giving of gifts. At this stage of your life it is important for you to save your money, and this new policy will help with that to some extent. I also applaud you for wanting to focus more on self care. You can’t be of service to others if you are burned out and ill. Take care of yourself, slow the pace down, rest and recharge your batteries when necessary.
You have a great thing going here, Jessica Marie, and I admire your generous spirit, your activism and your philanthropy. I hope your project continues to give you an abundance of joy and satisfaction throughout this year and the years to come.
Enjoy the rest of your week, dear friend JM!
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