Feed Your Soul with Joy.

"Finding joy within and giving joy to everyone around you is the foundation that is needed for ultimate well-being.” ~Sadhguru

They say to appreciate the light, we must know darkness. Perhaps this is why I nurture and savor every opportunity to create & feel joy within myself, and to help others create the emotional, mental, and spiritual conditions to tap into their internal power of joy.

After emerging from a particularly dark & difficult period a few years ago, I created my Joy Model. I then shelved it for a bit as I went through some additional significant transitions and transformations. It is difficult, if not impossible, to construct & create while in the midst of deconstruction.

Fast forward to today, and through tremendous inner and outer work, I have arrived at a place of abundant joy and peace. Through cancer diagnosis (melanoma), the deaths of my parents, the reshaping of my family and the grieving that accompanied it, the launching of my children, the dissolution of my professional identities through company successions and acquisitions, and other life events, I now stand fully & firmly in the light.

Tomorrow is not promised my friends. So when the opportunity to feed your soul and your spirit with joy arises, seize it.

These opportunities don't need to be grand gestures. In fact, the most soul-nourishing opportunities are often the magical moments that are often overlooked.

This past week, as temps reached 70 and the sun's warmth poured into me, I turned a quick work reprieve into a 2.5 hour 7-mile walk. All of those things back at my desk that I "had" to do somehow survived my 2-hour delay.

Am I encouraging a poor work ethic, or to renege on a commitment or deliverable? Of course not. Discernment is always a good idea. I am encouraging, however, to keep your mind and heart open for the opportunities to infuse joy into your busy life.

Joy is a mindset. It is a perspective. It is, most importantly, an Intention.

In the coming issues, I will be sharing how to create a life of Joy - even in the midst of chaos, and even in the darkness. For my leaders, I'll be integrating my 30 years of leadership and entrepreneurial experience with my 30-year spiritual path to inform, educate, and enlighten you how to live your most joyful leadership life, and build your most joyful organization.

My forthcoming book, The Little Book of Big Joy," will be published in 2025, and we will be launching an online course around my Joy Model and it's 6 components:

• Path
• Presence
• Perspective
• Purpose
• People
• Play

I am so excited to lead you down the path of your most joyful life.

In gratitude,

Marissa

About the Author

Marissa is a 5x, 30-year entrepreneur, speaker, best-selling author, mindset expert, and globally recognized growth & spiritual strategist. She was one of Inc. Magazine's most read leadership columnists, and was recognized as one of the Top 200 Biggest Voices of Leadership globally for 2023.

Following the sale of her company Successful Culture International, Marissa launched Marissa International ,?a global speaking, training, and coaching organization to help leaders live their most joyful lives and build their best companies. Marissa is passionate about educating and empowering leaders, teams, organizations, and communities. Reach out if you believe your people, members, and communities would benefit from guidance and wisdom to live a more empowered, conscious, and joyful life.

She is also CEO and co-founder of i5 Conscious Leadership ,?a leadership education, coaching, and consulting firm. Through a robust leadership curriculum that educates leaders at all levels, i5 Conscious Leadership bridges self-consciousness and organizational consciousness for leaders that are committed to creating exceptional employee engagement and business growth. i5 serves the federal, commercial, and nonprofit sectors.