Welcome to Real Life Lessons

The Spectrum
“Get Off the Guilt Trip and Get Out the Chocolate: Redwood City’s Goddess of Happiness”

So, rather than choose to be miserable and let life overcome you, Redwood City’s Debbie Gisonni suggest that you choose to be happy.... To be happier, physical, spiritual, and emotional well-being need to be nurtured.... “We live by the to-do list, “ Debbie responded. “We forget to play. Try to find something outside of your normal routine; find something that’s fun for yourself.”... “I really believe that the purposes of our lives here on earth are to enjoy life and be happy....Stay in the moment, don’t worry.”

Note: The full version of this article is not available electronically. If you would like to obtain a printed copy of the entire article, please send an email request to info@goddessofhappiness.com and include your mailing address. Thank you!

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Oakland Tribune
"For 'starters', she's fab at 40 (something)"

At 45, Gisonni had the curriculum vitae: She looked the part, acted the part and, upon learning more about the contest, wanted the part. One 250-word essay later, along with a batch of interviews, and Gisonni landed it. Her Pond’s commercial is airing during the run of “The Starter Wife,” which began May 31 and ends June 28.

Gisonni, who lives in Redwood City, “I’m all about embodying joy and happiness in my life.”

In fashion and in life, something – for lack of better words – is always the new something. Rehab is new black. Pomegranate is the new blood orange. And 40 is most definitely the new 20.

“I feel so much happier in my 40s than I did in my 20s and 30s, says Gisonni. Now I don’t do things that make other people happy. I’ve learned that life is meant to be injoyed, and I’m meant to be happy.”

But chat with a woman like Gisonni, and it’s no fluffy trend piece. With age, comes beauty. Because with age, comes life lessons—lessons that teach women how to reflect on life with a broader, more clear vision.

It’s these life-changing journeys, Gisonni maintains, that lend us perspective on life, and in turn, lend beauty. They are imperfect, but then , any beauty mark is.

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South Bend Indiana Tribune
"Now's the chance: Resolve to Indulge"

In a world where so many of us are overworked and over-scheduled, perhaps we should forgo our promises to organize the attic and eat our vegetables.

In fact, according to “happiness expert” and best-selling author Debbie Gisonni, the typical New Year’s resolutions can be not-so-good for the soul.

“I don’t really believe in New Year’s resolutions.” Gisonni is the author of “The Goddess of Happiness: A Down-to-Earth Guide to Heavenly Balance and Bliss.” She believes that a little indulgence not only is fun, it’s also good for your mental health, particularly for women.

In her book, she wisely suggests we eat chocolate, laugh when you fall down and sign up for a strip dancing class just for fun.

“If you’re constantly nurturing everyone and constantly trying to make everyone else happy, you’ll have nothing left,” she says.

Taking care of your body, mind and soul will allow you to be there for others, she adds.

“Indulgence,” she says, “is absolutely necessary.”

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American Way Magazine
“From High Tech to High Touch”

There are plenty of reasons why people...are getting out of high-tech and into high-touch occupations—helping, fixing, growing, creating....People often find their joy in unexpected places, and those leaving the corporate world need to keep their eyes and minds open....In 1994 Debbie Gisonni faced family tragedy at the height of her career...To come to terms with her grief, she began to write about life and loss and moving on. That work became a book, Vita’s Will... “This whole thing started around death and dying, “ she says, “but a whole new lighter and happier side of me emerged. I realized that happiness is the one thing people want most out of life.”...Her next book will be Goddess of Happiness.

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Women's World
"Have you ever felt like you needed a big change?"

Do you wish you were doing something else every morning...or even dread what lies ahead for the day? "That's a clear indicator something's not right, " says Debbie Gisonni, author of The Goddess of Happiness...Try doing more of the things you enjoy, and challenge yourself to let go of at least one one thing that doesn't give you pleasure.

Note: The full version of this article is not available electronically. If you would like to obtain a printed copy of the entire article, please send an email request to info@goddessofhappiness.com and include your mailing address. Thank you!

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