Joy Based Living

It’s the first day of Passover, 2020. What a strange year to be celebrating escape from slavery. In the midst of self-quarantine. Weird.

Anyhoo, Passover is my favorite Jewish holiday. Like the 4th of July, Independence Day in the USA, Passover represents freedom from tyranny. The enslaved Israelites finally escape the evil Pharaoh. My computer speller wanted to type “pharmaceuticals.” I laughed at the irony. But I digress.

Freedom from tyranny, of course, is necessary in order for joy to grow and thrive. Compare it to removing a small tree from a tight planter. It’s necessary to remove the growing plant from the container. But it’s not sufficient. Then you’ve got to give it a healthy place to grow.

What does this have to do with narcissism? Well… if you’re in quarantine and you’re living with someone who is narcissistic but not physically abusive, it REALLY HELPS to know WTF is going on and how mind-control works. This way, YOU can free yourself from it to the best of your ability.

We can’t control how our minds work. Just like we can’t control how a tree grows. Or the laws of gravity. We have to work with how these things actually work.

Our environments DO affect our minds. Our minds do affect our moods and our thoughts and our ability to see options, opportunities, and possibilities.

The dark cloud of another person’s constant scowl or grimace or disapproval can be disconcerting to even the most sensitive guru of a human being. There’s a reason gurus meditate up in the caves, away from the crowds.

SO – o resilient, strong, capable, perfectionistic one – if you are being affected by a narcissistic person – GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK.

#notyourfailure #notyour fault.

I don’t want you to think you’re so special or so strong that you are immune to the effects of a narcissist’s antics. Even if he/ she isn’t behaving badly on purpose… even if their behavior is due to their own unprocessed traumas… a dark cloud is a dark cloud. A dementor is a dementor.

Stop blinding yourself to your own strengths. Stop judging yourself. And triple down on your strengths. #stopthehypnosis

Charge yourself with my new favorite meme ala Gary Vee:

Here are a couple of good-info videos about how to protect yourself from narcissistic brainwashing and to heal yourself by using your own.

#setyourselffree

If you’ve read this far, be sure to download SANCTUARY: 4 Mantras for Thriving after Emotional Trauma. It’s a gateway to more freedom.

It’s time for you to negotiate for JOY. For YOU.

You deserve it. Your spirit deserves it. #setyourselffreetoday

Much love,

Happy D!

Debbie Happy Cohen, author and coach, is also the founder of Joy-Based Living. Her Master’s Degree is in counseling, specializing in family systems, healing emotional trauma, and practical spirituality. Also affectionately known as Happy D! and Reverend SASSY SHORTS!, she lives on Lookout Mountain in Alabama, near Chattanooga, Tennessee. Her books include Reach Your Stars!, SANCTUARY,It’s All About Kids: Every Child Deserves a Teacher of the Year, and I Don’t Think So!  You can find her blogging at http://www.joybasedliving.com.