Joy Abounds: A Birthday Celebration Rooted in the Chair of JOY®

By Erica Kesse MA, LPC, CPQC Founder of Thrive Oasis | Advocate for Radical Well-being

Birthdays are more than just a day for cake and candles. They’re an opportunity to reflect, celebrate, and invite moments of connection. For my recent rooftop birthday photoshoot, I wanted something more intentional—a way to share the experience of joy with my friends and family. That’s why I introduced the Chair of JOY®.

The Chair of JOY® is an experience for all. It is a simple yet powerful technique that allows us to sit, breathe, think and feel joy no matter where we are. And let me tell you, it was a hit—especially with the younger crowd!

One moment in particular stands out: a 6-year-old boy who had never heard of the Chair of JOY® before, effortlessly embraced the experience. 

He sat down, calmed his mind, and as he closed his eyes, he let go of any negative thoughts. When I asked him to share what came to mind during his moment of joy,

He described sitting on a beach in South America with his mom. It was beautiful to witness the simplicity and depth with which children can access joy.

He looked serene while I walked him through the experience and was happy to share his new found place of joy. I informed him that he can teleport there anytime.

And it just gets better! My 13-year-old daughter, Chrys, is already a pro at the Chair of JOY® Experience. She’s been exploring her own “chairs” for a while now, and it’s incredible to watch her tap into different spaces of peace. She told me about another Chair of Joy®, which was her chair with Boots from Dora the Explorer depicted on it. She remembers sitting outside on the porch while reading one of her books and spending time with her favorite tree, “Herbert”. 

As an entrepreneurial spirit in the making, Chrys even took charge at our exhibit, leading adults through their own Chair of JOY® Experiences. Her patience and understanding were inspiring, and she helped others discover their own Chair of JOY and memories to assist in a way that could help navigate their emotions. 

The results? Amazing. 

She offered the Chair of Joy® experience to a lady in her 60s and others in their 30s or 40s. She was very confident, especially seeing how easily they submitted to her request to offer the experience. All of the people gave her high praise and told her to never stop being just like she is or complimented me on raising such a powerful child. 

Chrys has this incredible ability to guide others to their own peaceful spaces, and it’s clear that her journey with joy is just beginning.

The pure essence of every single person is grounded in joy, contentment, and satisfaction.  When you ask them to tap out of their life as it is and into themselves, they can easily find their JOY Intelligence. As a therapist, I ask people to not “do” but to “be”. They are confused. JOYELY® provides easy steps to take to activate a state of being where joy resides. Once people see how easy it is to find their chair then it becomes a powerful tool in their toolbox and maybe even a continuous practice. 

Join Us!

Whether you’re a leader looking to recharge, a parent seeking connection with your children, or someone simply wanting to access more joy, I invite you to join us at Thrive Oasis. Explore the tools that have brought joy and peace to my life and my family’s—tools like the Chair of JOY®.

Together, we can make joy an everyday practice.

“How do pickles celebrate their birthdays? They relish them.”

Screenshot

found on Facebook which is a delightful place to scroll when you are looking for joy sparks.

An all-time favorite book for Joy-Filled imaginings on one’s birthday:

 

🎈 Celebrate the JOY of YOU! 🎈

Birthdays—some of us can’t wait to dive into the party, while others prefer a quiet moment of reflection. But no matter how you choose to mark the day, one thing is for sure: it’s a beautiful chance to celebrate you and all the joy you’ve experienced along the way!

Be on the Lookout for Joy

birthdays are a grand time

to think

about all that I have

all that I’ve done

and all that I may yet

get to do

 

a pause for deep reflection

and joyful anticipation

Where am I headed

and where have I been?

What do I hope for

and what will I celebrate?

 

and more special still

birthdays are amazing

milestones when so much

love comes flooding in

messages and well wishes

thoughtful gifts and cards

 

each chosen just for me

a pause-itively delicious

time for appreciation and gratitude

to fill my life cup and

replenish my very

Being

 

Thinking about it

I’ve decided to keep celebrating

all year long!

 

©2024 Minx Boren. All rights reserved.

Even birthdays get an extra bonus JOY boost when we actually weave a specific experience into the celebration that taps into a participant’s JOY Intelligence.