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]
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]
author. speaker. linchpin.
Seth Godin is a prominent author, blogger and speaker. [www.squidoo.com/linchpin]
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]
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]
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]
Freedom Fighter. Philanthropist. Game Changer.
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]
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]
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]
singer. musician. crier.
Liz Phair is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. [www.lizphair.com]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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
let go
Charley Johnson
forward payer. braceletier. path changer.
Charley Johnson is the president of the Pay it Forward Foundation and founder the PIF Experience, which collects stories from all over the world of people doing good by paying it forward. [www.pifexperience.org]
Ten months ago I walked away from a successful business and a big chunk of change, just to see what would happen.
When I worked in corporate America, I thought I was stronger than I actually was at making tough decisions. I thought I’d be okay with knowing that I was still employing two hundred people if we had to lay off ten. In reality, I wasn’t a fan of asking fewer people to do what more used to do. I wasn’t cut out for that type of lifestyle.
Before that, I’d never known that feeling people have when they aren’t happy with their lives. It seems that most people are waiting for someone to tap them on the shoulder and say, “Hey, I’ve got a better job for you,” or “I’m going to treat you better.” It doesn’t happen that way. The universe doesn’t allow you to become who you’re going to be until you let go of who you are.
I finally understood that feeling of unhappiness, and it sucks! I didn’t want to go to bed at night because I knew I’d have to wake up the next morning and go do something I didn’t want to do. I don’t see how people can continue that way year after year, sometimes even for decades.
When I had that feeling of unhappiness, it ate away at me until I said, “Bam! I’m done.” It’s time for me to grow a pair and try to find some happiness. I decided to change my habits and do different things.
When I did that, when I let go, I saw everything in a different light. Now I view everything as an opportunity for learning. I had to open my mind up to that.
Of course I had an initial fear of “Holy hell! What did I just do and what do I do next?” But an even stronger fear was that I would wake up five or ten years down the road and say, “Shit! I could have changed the world. I could have made a difference. I could have made an impact. … But I didn’t.”
I would much rather do something and fail miserably, piss everyone off, and at least try, than wonder what would have happened if I hadn’t.
– Charley Johnson
Explore More Meaning
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comedian. writer. blond.
Jamie Gaul is a writer, improviser and stand up comedian in Los Angeles, CA. Whether she is on stage or off, she looks to help people find joy in life through laughter. [www.jamie-gaul.com]
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positivity spreader. negativity combater. hoopla-hero.
Rob Hess is the Managing Director & Executive Producer of HooplaHa.com, a website dedicated to spreading smiles and positivity. HooplaHa is focused on only good news and developing inspirational, feel good, positive content. [www.hooplaha.com]
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candid author. passionate speaker. peaceful warrior of change.
Nancy Rosenfeld Daly is a speaker, author, facilitator, and former CFO who merges neuroscience, consciousness, tribal wisdom, and business savvy to ignite discovery and change. [www.nancyrdaly.com]
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motivational speaker. businessman. philanthropist.
James Malinchak has delivered over 2,200 motivational presentations, owns three businesses, has written eight books, and is a Contributing Author and Associate Editor for the Chicken Soup for the Soul books. [www.malinchak.com]
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publicist. author. soulmate attractor.
Arielle Ford has spent 25 years living and promoting consciousness through all forms of media. [www.arielleford.com]
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relationship guru. cupid assister. blessing counter.
Dave Elliott is a relationship expert and coach who founded Legendary Love For Life. He develops content and products, and blogs for a number of relationship websites. [www.legendaryloveforlife.com]
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author. worker. inquirer.
Bestselling author, Byron Katie, has one job: to teach people how to stop suffering. When Katie appears, lives change. [www.thework.com]
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counselor. spiritual director. do-gooder.
John Morton is a minister, author, counselor, coach, and the Spiritual Director of several non-profit organizations, including the Movement of Spiritual Inner Awareness. [www.theblessings.org]
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