Jack Canfield author. speaker. motivator.

Affectionately known as "America's #1 Success Coach," Jack Canfield is the originator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series and a leading authority in the areas of self-esteem, achievement motivation, and peak performance. [www.jackcanfield.com]

Arianna Huffington

Arianna Huffington political powerhouse. media mogul. author.

Arianna Huffington is the co-founder and Editor in Chief of the Huffington Post and the author of twelve books. [www.huffingtonpost.com]

Seth Godin

Seth Godin author. speaker. linchpin.

Seth Godin is a prominent author, blogger and speaker. [www.squidoo.com/linchpin]

Krishna Kaur

Krishna Kaur yogi. philanthropist. dynamic teacher.

Krishna Kaur is the founder of YOGA for Youth, a program that takes yoga, meditation, and stimulating discussions on the philosophy of yoga to urban youth. [www.yogaforyouth.org]

Norman Lear

Norman Lear producer. philanthropist. tv legend.

Norman Lear has enjoyed a long career in television and film. He is also a political and social activist and philanthropist. [www.normanlear.com]

Leilani Münter

Leilani Münter race car driver. activist. carbon free girl.

Leilani Münter is a professional race car driver and an environmental activist who uses her voice in the number one spectator sport in America as a catalyst for change. [www.leilanimunter.com]

Kevin Bales

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By going undercover to meet slaves and slaveholders, Kevin Bales exposed modern slavery's penetration into the global economy. He co-founded Free the Slaves, which has helped to liberate thousands of slaves. [www.freetheslaves.net]

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Sophie Chiche mom. big dreamer. lady in red.

Sophie Chiche, lifebyme.com founder and curator, enjoys asking deep questions and living a life of meaning. Today she's launching Shape House, an urban sweat lodge, a place to melt away fears and fat. [www.shapehousela.com]

Mastin Kipp

Mastin Kipp Writer. Entrepreneur. Daily Lover.

Entrepreneur and writer Mastin Kipp founded TheDailyLove.com, which merges pop culture with inspiration, and co-founded The Love Yourself Company, an apparel company that has started a global self-esteem movement. [www.TheDailyLove.com]

Liz Phair

Liz Phair singer. musician. crier.

Liz Phair is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. [www.lizphair.com]

Desmond Tutu

Desmond Tutu archbishop. author. peaceful leader.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu is Chairman of The Elders, a group of world leaders who address some of the world's most pressing problems. He works energetically for human-rights and in his ministry. [www.tutu.org]

Zainab Salbi

Zainab Salbi author. ceo. humanitarian.

Zainab Salbi is the founder and CEO of Women for Women International, a group dedicated to helping women survivors of war rebuild their lives. [www.womenforwomen.org]

Sean Stephenson

Sean Stephenson speaker. psychotherapist. life embracer.

Despite his physical challenges, Sean Stephenson has taken a stand for a quality of life that has inspired millions of people around the world. He's a professional speaker, psychotherapist, and author. [www.timetostand.com]

Kia Miller

Kia Miller yogi. meditator. teacher.

Kia Miller teaches Yoga at Yoga Works in Los Angeles, leads teacher trainings, and runs retreats and workshops on meditation, chakras, pranayam, and mantras, and other practices. [www.kiamiller.com]

Simon Mainwaring

Simon Mainwaring creator. writer. idea geek.

Simon Mainwaring is an ex-Nike/Wieden creative, former Worldwide Creative Director at Motorola/Ogilvy, branding/advertising writer, author/speaker/blogger, Australian, idea geek. [www.simonmainwaring.com]

Shannon Bindler

Shannon Bindler Strategist. Writer. Life Coach.

Shannon Bindler is a style editor, life coach, and the co-founder of Get Up Girl, an empowerment company that inspires women to shine. [www.getupgirl.com]

Mathieu Bitton

Mathieu Bitton Designer. Art Director. Passionate Creator.

Grammy-nominated art director/designer/photographer Mathieu Bitton has designed over 450 CDs and movie posters. He's a renowned collector of and authority on black films and their soundtracks. [www.candytangerine.com]

Jorge Perez

Jorge Perez Agent. Producer. Photography Enthusiast.

Opus Reps founder and agent-producer Jorge Perez travels the world producing photo shoots with great photographers and celebrities. He's also very involved with Meals on Wheels in Los Angeles. www.opusreps.com

connect

Allison Pescosolido and Andra Brosh Divorce Recovery Specialists. Psychologists.

Allison Pescosolido, M.A., and Andra Brosh, PhD, are divorce recovery specialists at Divorce Detox ,the leader in divorce recovery. [www.divorcedetox.com]

Allison Pescosolido:

Many years ago, I wondered how I could make the world a better place. From that, a daily practice was born. It’s something that helps others on a daily basis, something I can do at any time. It requires little effort or funds, and I help myself at the same time I serve others.

My daily practice is to smile. Simply smiling does wonders. When I pass someone on the street, I smile. No matter who it is, whether it’s a stranger or someone I know, I smile. I feel like I’m spreading happiness when I smile and at the same time I’m remembering my own joy and commitment to living authentically. The more I smile, the happier I am. And smiling is contagious. When I smile, others smile, too.

My smile is a compass that tells me I’m being real and living a meaningful, heart-centered life. Whenever I smile, I trace that smile back to the thinking or experience that started it, then I make a mental note and set my intention to do more of those things. It’s a simple recipe for long-term fulfillment.

Everyone is unique and has their own recipe for what brings a smile to their face. Go on and smile. It’s easy, it’s free, and it makes a big difference in your life and in the lives of others.

Andra Brosh:

I find meaning in my life through connection, to my family, friends, community, and the universe. I live a meaningful life by reaching out to others and making sure I stay active and participate in the world. I do this by practicing kindness and compassion and by being open to everything new and different.

As human beings, we are designed to be in relationship with others for our very survival. Without connection, I feel lonely, complacent, and unmotivated. With a deep feeling of connection to the world, I feel passionate, energetic, and inspired.

I am shy by nature, but I’m also open and curious to new experience. This is a paradox. I stay in my game by pushing myself to do things that challenge my comfort level. I make commitments to myself that require me to stretch, like saying good morning to a passing stranger or attending an event where I don’t know anyone. My goal is always to stay connected to the world, to try new things, and to expose myself to all that life has to offer.

– Allison Pescosolido and Andra Brosh

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Your Turn

Is there a relationship in your life that would benefit from a deeper connection?
What step are you willing to take toward developing a deeper connection?
How do you feel as you take that step?

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