Book Description
Most people consider happiness the most important pursuit in life, yet few seem to find it. Women, in particular, face a constant internal battle between finding their own happiness and ensuring the happiness of others. Debbie Gisonni, aka The Goddess of Happiness, shows that happiness is a choice that anyone can make, anytime and anywhere. In 44 dynamic entries the author shares her stories, insights, humor, and simple suggestions to bring out the radiant Goddess in every woman. Each entry includes affirmations and journaling ideas to help readers transform the pursuit of happiness into a tangible, everyday practice. Gisonni teaches that all women are goddesses — they just need to tap their innate power and reacquaint themselves with their own magic; and that life is meant to be enjoyable — not to be taken so seriously or made too complicated. Each of these chapters ends with five simple ways to have an easier and happier life.

From the Author
If I asked you what you wanted most out of life, chances are you’d say "happiness", although like many women (including me), after juggling work, family and home, and making sure that everyone else in your life is happy, there’s little time left to think of yourself. But what if I told you the real purpose of your life is to BE HAPPY. How would it change the way you think, act, look, live, and work? How would it change your life? If you’re a woman, you must believe that you are not only a goddess, but that it’s your birthright to be a happy goddess! Happy in your life, your relationships, your family, your home, and your work. That’s why I wrote this book—to help you re-acquaint yourself with the powerful goddess you already are. And because life should be simple, I made this book simple too. You can easily read and digest all of it in one sitting. The chapters are short but meaningful, and can be read in any order—each one containing practical suggestions and affirmations for real women living real lives. That’s you and me! The Goddess of Happiness makes your life easier and happier. It’s a great gift to give yourself and all the women in your life. So, if you’re ready to put yourself first and choose happiness in your life, go for it! After all, you are a goddess, and you’re worth it!

About the Author
Debbie Gisonni, aka The Goddess of Happiness™, makes life happier and easier for women by helping them connect their sometimes forgotten inner power with the real life issues they face every day—from the tragic to the trivial. Debbie knows first-hand how to find true happiness, especially during life’s darkest moments. At the height of her executive career, her personal life was derailed by the unexpected loss of four family members in four years. Debbie drew upon her inner strength to embrace her ordeal and, in the process, realized she wasn’t the Queen Bee she once thought, in control of every aspect of her life, but rather an ordinary Goddess with the power to be happy no matter what path life took her on. She later boldly left her 15-year career and started her own company (Real Life Lessons®) to help other women be happy in life, work and at home, with the belief that every woman is a Goddess. Debbie writes "The Goddess of Happiness" column on iVillage.com, and is the author of Vita’s Will: Real Life Lessons about Life, Death & Moving On and The Goddess of Happiness, A Down-to-Earth Guide for Heavenly Balance and Bliss. She is also a contributing author to If Women Ruled the World, How to Create the World We Want to Live In. Her articles have appeared in numerous magazines and newspapers, including The San Francisco Chronicle, Simplycity, Living in Balance, Nonprofit World and elsewhere. Debbie has been a guest on many radio and TV shows across the country, and has been featured in books and periodicals such as How to Sell Yourself Without Selling Your Soul, The San Jose Mercury News, The Dallas Morning News and Better Homes & Gardens. She is an experienced speaker who has addressed audiences of all kinds (corporate, women’s groups, teens) and donates time and resources to selected non-profit organizations. Originally from The Bronx, New York, Debbie now lives on the west coast with her two biggest passions in life—her husband and dogs. Other passions include cooking & entertaining, physical fitness, clothing & shoes, painting, interior design, feng shui, tarot, dancing, all kinds of music, and laughter.

Excerpted from The Goddess of Happiness: A Down-to-Earth Guide for Heavenly Balance and Bliss by Debbie Gisonni. Copyright © 2005. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Are You a Goddess of Happiness? 1. When was the last time you laughed out loud? a. Today! you find something to laugh about every day. b. A couple of weeks ago you giggled at a friend's joke. c. You can't remember laughing in at least a month or more. 2. When you rise and shine every morning, are you: a. Ready to embrace what the day will bring. b. Sometimes wishing you were doing something else. c. Dreading the thought of what lies ahead. 3. A girlfriend has called and invited you to the latest "chick flick" but you have too much to do. Do you: a. Ditch your "to do" list for another day and go to the movie to laugh and cry. b. Take a rain check so you can finish your work. c. Say yes, but frantically try to finish your tasks before you leave. 4. A typical day in the life of _____________(your name here) is: a. The perfect combination of work and play. b. Exhausting, yet you still get a little downtime. c. Like doing the Indy 500 without any pit stops. 5. When you look in the mirror, what do you see? a. A confident and beautiful goddess looking back at you. b. An everyday woman with her good days and bad. c. Nothing: you avoid mirrors at all costs. 6. You're having an operation, and you'll be on crutches for two weeks. Needing some extra help around the house, do you: a. Ask a friend or family member for help or suggestions. b. Hire a crew of professionals to come in. c. Tough it out on your own. 7. When was the last time you pampered yourself? a. You just did! That last massage is still fresh on your mind. b. Not for a few months and only on special occasions. c. Too long ago to remember--who has time for that? 8. You've come down with a mild case of the flu.You immediately think: a. It's a good thing it was just a mild case--I'll be over it in no time. b. I wish I didn't get sick this week. c. I always get sick! 9. What do you think about spending time alone? a. You savor every moment and make it a priority in your life. b. You take the time whenever you can, which isn't often. c. You never have time alone and wouldn't know what to do if you did. 10. What does being a goddess mean to you? a. You! A fun, vivacious, confident, strong, and intuitive woman. b. Definitely not you, but you have some friends who would qualify. c. You're not sure you believe in real-life goddesses. If you chose mostly A's: Congratulations! You are a goddess of happiness! You have a zest for life, and always see the glass half full. You're the woman who lights up a room when you enter and whose attention everyone wants. You genuinely love and respect yourself and others, and don't mind showing it off with your cool confidence and generous heart. Inside and out, you're the goddess you want to be. Pampering yourself with a day off or a soothing massage nurtures your spirit. Goddess, keep shining your light wherever you go and remember to spread your infectious laugh to others as well.When you share your secrets of joy with friends and family, you become the supreme goddess of happiness. If you chose mostly B's: Good going! You are almost ready to pull off that last veil of "serious thinking" for a life filled with daily fun and happy dreams. Yes, it is possible! It's all just waiting for you to say, "Yes, I want it!" You already have a good appreciation of life and positive opinion of who you are; just take it to the next level, goddess. Make yourself and your happiness number one in your life. Sure, you can still keep nurturing those around you, which you love to do, but leave some precious time to feed your own mind, body, and spirit. What is it that you love to do . . . sailing, reading, dancing? Do more of it, and there will be no turning back. You'll become a goddess of happiness before you can say, "Another chocolate? Of course!" If you chose mostly C's: Get started! The goddess of happiness in you is collecting all-tooserious dust. She's yearning to get cleaned up and come out and play. Dig down deep into your inner well of happiness and you'll find her there, waiting for you. Yes, she is there! The inner goddess is like a belly button: everyone has one, although some may not be so obvious as others. Try not to take life so seriously! It's not brain surgery. Play hooky once in awhile from work and daily responsibilities, jump in a rain puddle, take a pottery class, go out with friends. Lighten up and laugh more often. All this fun will help you find and nurture the goddess inside you, and soon you'll be dusting her off and showing the world the new you--A goddess of happiness.

FROM THE PUBLISHER