Happy Girl on the Rise Wednesday!

This week's newsletter is a 3-minute read (881 words).

This week’s affirmation is:

I accept joy as my standard of living.

Hey Girl on the Rise,

I believe that one of the most important things, and part of our purpose as human beings living on this planet, is to experience a life of joy.

And one thing I want to clarify right away is the distinction between joy and happiness. Because they’re different in a way that many don’t understand.

Happiness is often circumstantial — it’s what you feel when something good happens, when things are going your way, or when you finally check that box or accomplish that goal. Happiness tends to be “situation dependent” and can fluctuate based on what’s happening around you.

But joy?
Joy runs deeper.

It’s not solely dependent on external situations but is a consistent state of being. Joy often comes from within, rooted in gratitude, purpose, or spiritual contentment, and can be experienced even in difficult times. In other words, joy is something you carry within you.

Joy is Your Birthright

An alarming truth I have observed is that many people tend to think that they don’t deserve joy.

But I want you to know this:
You deserve joy.
Not just once in a while.
Not only after you’ve worked hard or accomplished enough.
Not only when others are happy with you.

You deserve joy every single day, simply because you are alive and human and worthy!

And I know that can be a scary thing to think about.

Not only that, but it may be the case that you believe you deserve joy, you just don’t know how to cultivate it.

What Sparks Your Light?

Getting to the bottom of what brings you joy is one of the best things you could ever do for yourself.

So I want you to take a moment and ask yourself:
What actually brings me joy? What makes me feel alive? What ignites my soul fire and brings me peace?
Is it music? Movement? Creating something? Laughing with someone you love? Time in nature? A quiet cup of coffee in the morning before everyone wakes up?

So often, we get so busy surviving that we forget to live.
We chase goals, deadlines, and expectations, but we forget to pause and ask: What makes me feel alive? What lights me up?

Because at the end of your life, that is what you are going to remember most - the moments of your life that brought you joy!

This week, I challenge you to write down 5-10 things that bring you joy, and then make it your mission to experience at least one of them every single day.

And remember, not all the things you list need to be big and grand. Think small, too, because sometimes the small things bring us the most joy. For example, traveling brings me a lot of joy, but so does a freshly made cup of coffee, going for a run, playing ball with my dog, hugging my wife, and reading. List things that you can make time for every day. 

Your Joy is a Gift

Choosing joy isn’t selfish.

It’s how you fill yourself back up so you can show up for life with energy, love, and purpose.

It’s how you remember that life isn’t just about checking boxes, but about feeling the moments as you live them.

So, let your joy guide you, surprise you, and heal you.
Let it be your compass when the path gets hard.
And most of all, let it remind you that you are allowed to feel good!

Until next time, keep going and keep growing.

Coach Tay

P.S. Ready to Go Deeper? This is exactly the kind of work I do one-on-one with my coaching clients. If you’re ready to stop living on autopilot and start rising into a life that feels aligned and on purpose, let’s talk.

Book your free discovery call here: https://forms.gle/kfnFqrKGBXZhbk1XA

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