Finding Joy: A Journey Back to Myself
Last weekend, I returned to church.
Since moving to Florida from New Jersey 18 months ago, I hadn’t made finding a new church a priority. But as people often say, God delivers the message you need to hear when you need to hear it. Last Sunday, that message came through loud and clear.
The guest speaker was Pastor Charlotte Gamble from the UK, a dynamic, spunky blonde with a charming English accent. Dressed in a vibrant green suit paired with sneakers, she exuded both wisdom and energy. From the moment she began her sermon, I felt an instant connection. Her message?
A simple yet profound challenge:
What if we strived to be more joyful?
Pastor Charlotte reminded us that while we often work on being more patient, forgiving, or loving, we sometimes forget about joy. What if our happiness was so radiant that it transformed everyone around us? What if joy became the strength that helped us overcome our struggles? She emphasized that joy is not a byproduct of life—it’s a choice.
Her words struck a deep chord in me.
Over the past five years, I’ve worked tirelessly on myself. I’ve reshaped my life, choosing daily to be better than the day before. But what I hadn’t realized was how heavy it all still felt. Inner work is hard—it’s messy, raw, and transformative. And as you grow, not everyone around you will embrace the person you’re becoming. I’ve been on a mission to step into what I call Diana 2.0, but I often find myself holding onto remnants of my past self, forgetting how far I’ve come.
Somewhere during that 40-minute sermon, I rediscovered my joy.
I remembered why I began this journey in the first place. ✨ I’ve built a life I truly love. I live in one of the most beautiful places in the world (seriously, Google the Emerald Coast of Florida). I have two healthy, happy boys, a supportive husband who’s also my best friend, a thriving business with an incredible team, and close relationships with family and friends. My life is blessed beyond measure, yet I wasn’t fully embracing the joy in front of me.
One of my mentors, Gary Vaynerchuk, often talks about perspective. (If you’re not familiar with him, do yourself a favor and follow him on social media.) When my family and I moved to Florida, it deeply disappointed my parents, and the relationship is still healing. I’ve been carrying that pain, allowing it to overshadow my joy. Pastor Charlotte’s message brought clarity: What’s the point of showing up and giving your all if you’re the one sabotaging your own happiness?
I realized I had the power to flip the script. So I chose gratitude. I chose joy.
Later that week, I attended events surrounding Art Basel as part of Vyve by Vayner, an accelerated growth program I’m currently in. On the first day, I met Michelle Crosan-Maria, the CMO of Ulta Beauty. Like Pastor Charlotte, Michelle is another vibrant blonde with a captivating accent (hers is Scottish). Around her neck, she wore a necklace with the word “JOY.”
Michelle spoke about Ulta’s “Joy Council,” a concept rooted in bringing joy to the workplace and beyond. Her words reignited my commitment to making joy a cornerstone of my life. It’s a choice—my choice—and one that can inspire and uplift those around me.
Since embracing joy, I’ve started noticing it everywhere.
It’s in signs, conversations, and even a card I drew during an activation event in Miami that asked, “Who would you recruit to lead your Joy Club?” Joy has shifted my perspective, helping me appreciate not just the highlights but also the challenges that shaped me.
As 2024 draws to a close, I’m declaring JOY as my word for 2025. I want to be so grounded in gratitude that my joy overflows. I want it to guide every decision I make for my family, my business, and myself. My mantra moving forward is simple: Does this bring me joy? If the answer is yes, I’m all in.
Now, I want to leave you with this challenge—
Grab a pen and paper and write down your sources of joy. Don’t stop there—share it. Tell your friends, your family, or even a stranger. Joy isn’t meant to be contained; it’s meant to be celebrated and shared.
So, rich girls, let’s soak up every ounce of joy we can. Let it change your perspective—and your life. Because joy, quite simply, is the strength we all need.
