A Personal Invitation to Your Full Authentic Self Expression

Dear Friend,

Are you wondering if Joy-Based Living could be a good fit for you? Wouldn’t it be great to feel certainty before trying something new? Well, the fun of living is a healthy balance of safety and risk-taking, so let’s do what we can to stack the odds in your favor!

Here is a list of qualities inspired by our long-time JBL members.

See if you resonate . . . and if you do, you can choose an option below to get started!

You’re kind.

You’re conscious. You are mindful about your thoughts, feelings and actions and care about choosing them wisely, in ways that empower yourself and others.

You’re an outlier. You don’t want to live according to negative cultural conditioning. You’ve taken personal risks to remove yourself from toxic situations or people. You’ve done some personal development, and you’re inspired… but you feel alone.

You love good company. You love the idea of sharing conversations with other people who are responsible about “well-being”!! (One example, they recognize shame and they prune it; in its place, they practice growing honor and empathy. A second example, they don’t buy into cultural portals of aging which activate expectations of illness; instead, they practice agelessness and look ahead with positive expectation and eagerness. A third example, they listen to their bodies to decide if something feels right and true; they practice being present, not mindless.)

You want feel excited about your future. This includes feeling excited about the futures of those around you. Especially the outliers who are choosing to live life authentically, empowered and with joy!

You’re willing to be present to your own emotions. You truly care about self-connection. You understand that this quality makes you more accessible to having authentic connections with others.

You’re willing to admit when you screw up and you do what you can to get back on track. In your relationship with yourself and with others, you don’t punish yourself for your mistakes but you encourage yourself to keep going and do better. This makes you kinder to others.

You value self-care. Self care is essential to you. You do what it takes to nurture and protect your well-being. Healthy boundaries are important to you. You eagerly learn and share creative ways to set them.

You have empathy for suffering, trauma and grief. Trauma might be due to your personal history, or you might be a helper so you’re dealing with the effects of other people’s trauma grief (this is called “trauma by proxy”). You’re willing into look at it and clean it up so that you can be more fully YOU!

You value Full Authentic Self Expression (in yourself AND in others)! Everything we do at Joy-Based Living is with the intent that your F.A.S.E. will shine with the truth of who you are, and you will feel more JOY, more of the time.

You’re not into perfectionism. All of the above is done with an intention to grow more joy in your life.

If you resonate with this list and you want to practice these qualities of well-being, here are a few options. Keep in mind that lasting transformation happens best in community.

To experience Joy-Based Living . . .

  • Dip your toe in with SELF STUDY: Visit the JBL homepage and get the E-Books. Read them and integrate the Practices and the Planner into your daily life. Invite others to discuss the JBL E-books together.
  • Go full steam ahead with a JBL GUIDE: Join one of our groups:
    • Wholehearted Networking – this is a weekly group conversation (for women only). It feels like a turkish bath in the middle of an oasis. You can let your hair down. Currently led by Debbie Happy Cohen.
    • JBL Friendship Circle in Vienna, Austria at Bobal Recording Studio – monthly live gatherings January – December 2023! Contact Heidi Bobal for more information: heidi@heidibobal.com

So much love,

Debbie Happy Cohen
Debbie Happy Cohen

Debbie Happy Cohen, author, coach and artist, is the founder of Joy-Based Living. She loves spending time with magical, kind, thoughtful, inspiring people. Her Master’s Degree is in counseling but her experience comes from 20 years of coaching people to bring out the best in themselves and others. Also affectionately known as Happy D! and Reverend SASSY SHORTS!, she lives on Lookout Mountain in Alabama, near Chattanooga, Tennessee. Her books include The 12 Practices, The JBL Planner for Daily Self-Reflection, Reach Your Stars!, SANCTUARY: 4 Mantras for Thriving After Emotional Trauma, It’s All About Kids: Every Child Deserves a Teacher of the Year, and a children’s book I Don’t Think So!

If you’re still reading… seriously!!!

Scroll back up, click a link and get started!!!


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