Naked Joy Journey

Firecracker and Firekeeper of Faith, Joy, Authenticity and Wonder. Child of God and Curator of Curiosity, Connection, Courage and Community.

My name is Alison Joy Westphal, and that’s a bit about what makes me, me. I am on a daily journey to strip away all the excess baggage I’ve added to my life over time; physically, emotionally, vocationally, mentally, socially, spiritually....(you get the idea:). Baggage I thought would protect me. This journey is teaching me that much of what I added only ever served to dim my unique light in this world and cover up the authentic radiant joy-full being I was designed to be.

My core values of Authenticity and Faith remind of the importance of this journey. Aspirations of courage and radiant joy unleashed have called me to support others in their journey to throw off all that hinders their joy and build a community of trust and champions of others on their own Naked Joy Journey.

Most of our unhealthy habits and coping mechanisms are born out of our daily struggle to try to be what we think we have to be or hide what we are afraid to be. Naked Joy is about aligning what we do to support what we are created to be. Rather than wasting energy trying to become what you are not, devote your daily energy to becoming a brighter more radiant and joyful version of who you are.

Some of us need extra support as we discover who we are, others need safe spaces to practice our courage and new skills, and still others need help building better habits to keep us strong for the journey. Most of us need all of the above, and none of us were meant to journey alone.

Each of us have unique gifts and purpose that only we were created to fulfill. We need to be healthy, vibrant and authentically ourselves to experience the joy that comes with sharing our unique light and lifting our community up in the way that only we can. Naked Joy is about supporting others in discovering how to align their choices with their purpose and building a community that supports and thrives from the fruits of that collective labor.

In a world exhausted from carrying so many burdens we were ever meant to carry and poised to leave them behind for something better, I can’t think of a better time for us all to do the same. It’s time to start this Naked Joy Journey together.

Photo: Sunset over Lake Malawi, Cape Maclear, Malawi, 2015

You don't have to move to Malawi to start your Naked Joy Journey, but it definitely doesn't hurt to give it a go.