People who embody the 12 Practices as a lifestyle and who have been reviewing them for a few years are people who…
Anchor before they act. They check in with their own truth before they check the news, the algorithm, or the clock.
Take radical responsibility without shame. They don’t collapse into guilt or blame. They pause, name, and course-correct with love.
Let themselves be seen. Even when it’s raw. Even when it’s messy. They understand that transparency is sacred.
Speak from the body, not just the mind. They honor the nervous system as a holy instrument and choose coherence over performance.
Grapple openly. They know the work isn’t about perfection—it’s about presence. They’re willing to stay in the room, even when it’s hard.
Hold others with reverence. They don’t fix or rescue. They witness. They validate. They see the wholeness inside the storm.
Live inside integrity as a practice, not a rule. It’s not about being right—it’s about being real and relationally clean.
Choose connection over control. They’d rather co-create than dominate. They trust process more than outcome.
Protect their time, energy, and attention like sacred currency. They invest in relationships and projects that nourish their spirit.
Stay devoted to joy, even in grief. Not as bypass—but as a remembering. They know joy isn’t frivolous—it’s fuel.
Recommit instead of retreat. When something is misaligned, they get curious. When something is right, they go deeper.
Practice, not posture. They live what they teach. Quietly. Powerfully. Unshakably.
They want more!
They are dreamers.
They are believers.
And they’re willing to do what it takes.
They love ART that is rich and symbolism and details.
They love clarity.
They love trees.
They love nature.
They love exhales.
Many of them love Sesame Street.
They love the JBL Building Block Village because the playfulness… And my playfulness… softens them.
They love freedom.
They value authenticity. (And they recognize it from 10 miles away. In people. In music. In art. In food.)
Whether in business or an art… They care about their authentic creative expression. And they want it to be lived full out.
They are my playful business coaching clients (think: Montessori).
They adore play.
And they love real results. Even if they resist it with all their might. They want it big time. They know more as possible and they want it. They yearn for it.
These are the lighthouse people.
The culture-carriers.
The ones you can count on when the power flickers.
Some start out as Mossy Rock People (hiding until they feel safe to come out) and become Radiant Lighthouses.
They are becoming the world they once wished existed.
Every one of these amazing humans deserves a purple medal of honor for witnessing, acknowledging and processing inner pain in order to transform it into higher love, making our world a better place.
If there’s someone you feel deserves this purple ribbon and you would like me to mail them one (anywhere in the world)… please let me know!
How?
- Join our Patreon community which funds this effort.
- Once you’re at Patreon, just message me and ask. I will reply to you.
- If I have the time to send it out to them, I will let you know.
Our community lives at Patreon and that’s where my heart is.
This message was brought to you by supporters like you.
Thank you!
Debbie Happy Cohen, M.A.
Founder of Joy-Based Living
