Winner Week 5: Debbie Gisonni
[ READ DEBBIE'S WINNING ESSAY ]Debbie Gisonni, 46, is dedicated to inspiring, motivating and celebrating. She is a bestselling author, happiness expert and speaker. But Debbie wasn't always the optimistic, self-proclaimed "Goddess of Happiness" that she is today. In her 30's, she experienced four family tragedies all within a span of four years. Instead of feeling sorry for herself, she chose to remain strong and face life with a positive outlook. In her 20's and 30's, Debbie learned how to be successful by society's measures. Now in her 40's, Debbie measures success by her own standards, no longer making money or status her motivators. She feels the most important thing in life is to be happy. In her free time, Debbie enjoys spending time with her husband and two Siberian huskies, cooking Italian food, meditating and jumping on her trampoline.
Q&A WITH DEBBIE
What's your favorite pump-yourself-up song?
Any song that makes me want to dance pumps me up! I especially love the 70's funk sound. One of my favorites is "Dance to the Music" by Sly and The Family Stone.
Which well-known person, alive or not, do you most admire? Why?
Oprah Winfrey. I know...I know...not a big surprise to choose her, but I really do admire her! On the one hand, she's this everyday, approachable woman with a huge heart, and on the other hand, she's the most influential woman in the world. She's overcome challenges in her life and has shared her soul with millions of people. I truly believe her personal mission is to help others.
If you could take a trip anywhere in the world, where would you go and why? Who would you go with?
Egypt to see the pyramids. I'm fascinated with Egyptian history. I have Egyptian paintings on papyrus in my house as well as many pyramid-like items. The triangle is my favorite shape! I'd go with my husband, Joe, who's my best friend. We always have lots of fun traveling together.
What is your personal mantra?
"Don't Worry, Be Happy...and Laugh a Lot (even if you don't feel like it)!"
What is your most meaningful physical possession and why?
I don't attach much meaning to things. After losing several close family members, I realized personal possessions don't matter much. Today, what's most meaningful to me are the people in my life-my family and friends.
What is the first thing you'd say people notice about you when they first meet you?
My smile and friendliness which immediately make people feel comfortable, as if they've known me forever.
What are you most proud of?
Everyone says they want to write a book, but most people never get around to it. I've written two so far! My first one, Vita's Will, Real Life Lessons about Life, Death and Moving On, was a cathartic experience. My second, The Goddess of Happiness, A Down-to-Earth Guide for Heavenly Balance and Bliss, was an Amazon.com bestseller.
Complete this sentence: Beauty is a state of mind-a spark from within. If you feel beautiful on the inside, you'll naturally project beauty on the outside.
What is your favorite:
Ice Cream Flavor: Coffee Gelato. Ironic because I rarely drink coffee. Gelato because I'm Italian and one trip to Italy got me hooked!
Musical Artist: Melinda Doolittle. She has an incredible voice; can sing any genre of music; is spirited, humble, and a joy to watch! I can't wait to buy her first CD!
Book/Author: The DaVinci Code by Dan Brown. The historical references about the importance of women, who were considered Goddesses really resonated with me.
Movie: "It's a Wonderful Life" because it really is. I watch it every year.
TV Show: Current: "Ugly Betty" Past: "Bewitched" Two strong women who can make anything happen!
What is your guiltiest pleasure?
I NEVER feel guilty about pleasure! I just enjoy it, especially if it involves food!
What did you do on your 40th birthday?
I threw a party at a Mexican restaurant for 40 of my closest friends and family.
What's the best mistake you ever made?
I once tripped and fell outside a client's building. I was young, ambitious and very serious. Naturally, I was mortified. Then I looked up and saw myself in the building's mirrored glass exterior. There I was laying the ground with a broken heel, ripped hose and gravel stuck to my palms. Suddenly I burst out laughing! That's when I realized work wasn't meant to be taken so seriously, and neither was my life. Once you lighten up, life gets a lot easier.
What's the smartest thing you've ever done?
I eloped. I skipped what could've been "My Big Fat Italian Wedding" and traded it in for an intimate and stress-free celebration for two.
What is the best thing about being in your 40's?
Being able to enter and win the Pond's 40's and Fabulous contest! And of course, being comfortable and confident with who I am inside and out, and not worrying about who or what society says I should be. In my 40's I'm living life on my own terms and enjoying every minute of it!
What have you discovered about yourself now that you are in your 40's that you didn't know about yourself when you were younger?
That I could overcome incredible challenges. That I could be happy inside regardless of what's happening outside of me. That I could please myself without having to please everyone else. That I could laugh at my failures and move on. That I could feel young and beautiful in my 40's. That I could make a difference in other people's lives. That I could be me not matter what the situation.
What is the most important thing anyone has ever said to you? Who said it?
"I LOVE YOU" from my then boyfriend who has been my husband now for 19 years.
What advice would you give to women who are about to turn 40?
Love more. Laugh more. Play more. Forgive more. Judge less (especially yourself).
Fill in the blank: I think everyone should fall in love at least once in their lives.
Are you a mentor to someone?
Yes, my 8-year-old niece, Sydney. She imitates everything I say and do! Need I say more?
What won't you do now that you would have done in your 20's?
Ski down a black diamond run covered with ice on a freezing cold day just because I can. It wasn't fun then and it isn't now! I guess I've gotten smarter about choosing fun over freezing!
DEBBIE'S WINNING ESSAY
[ BACK TO TOP ]"Graduate college. Start a career. Work hard. Work out. Get married. Buy a house. Make more money. Get promoted. That was me in my twenties and thirties. And through it all, I was smart, sexy and beautiful!
OK, now fast forward to my forties…
Learn to paint. Buy a huge trampoline. Write a book. Take a yoga class. Write another book. Belly dance. Join a meditation group. Start my own company. And yes, I’m still smart, sexy and beautiful!
So, what’s different? One thing-JOY!!!! In my forties, I don’t do things because someone else thinks I should or because of the money or status. I do things that make me happy. That means, being myself no matter what the situation, dancing like a wild woman no matter who’s watching, and laughing at my failures no matter what people may think.
And guess what? When I’m that comfortable on the inside, my beauty, confidence and sex appeal is naturally projected on the outside.
In my twenties and thirties I learned how to win and be successful by society’s measures. In my forties, I learned how to win and be successful by my own measures. But the best lesson I learned was that life is meant to be enjoyed. I am here to be happy! It took me forty years to learn that lesson, but it’s a keeper. And I try to live in joy every day…while I’m being smart, sexy and beautiful, of course!"
