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
simplicity
Courtney Nichols Gould
miss smartypants. situational editor. grace dweller.
Entrepreneur and advisor Courtney Nichols Gould is the co-founder/co-ceo of SmartyPants Vitamins. Their goal is to simplify health, putting it in the reach of more people more of the time. [www.smartypantsvitamins.com]
The longer I am alive, the more I am drawn to things reduced to their essence, their most simple form. I seek out moments of grace that come when I am immersed in, working on or surrounded by things in their undiluted or uncomplicated state.
For me, editing is a way to get to meaning. If I start to feel burdened or stressed, I watch for things that I can simplify. It’s more like pattern recognition. I started to notice when I felt most in a “flow” state or most productive or creative. Consistently that was when simplicity was present.
There are two great myths that get in the way of our connection to meaning. The first is the false belief that writing something on a board or saying it out loud is going to make it happen. The second is the thought that you must find one passion that makes you feel inspired all the time or your life won’t have meaning. These two together are both intoxicating as they require less work.
So many people think, “Oh, I wait for divine inspiration, and if it’s not perfect, I don’t have to work on it.” That mentality ultimately removes power from our lives. Hard work and character make things happen, and you can make anything meaningful. It’s the meaning you bring to it. Sweeping can have meaning if you approach it as a moment in time.
I have never had an “a-ha” moment, where a bolt of blue tells me I should write books or run a business. Yet, I have had an amazing career filled with extraordinary people, great success and challenge. It doesn’t mean that “a-ha” moment won’t happen for you, but its quite disheartening to think that’s the only way passion can occur for people or the only way to love your job. No job is without its hardship. While the content could be somewhat irrelevant, you are the one that brings the context.
– Courtney Nichols Gould
Explore More Meaning
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author. philosopher. connector.
Marianne Williamson is an internationally acclaimed best-selling author and lecturer. She founded Project Angel Food, a meals-on-wheels program that serves homebound people with AIDS in the Los Angeles area. [www.marianne.com]
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goal accomplisher. finish line crosser. adrenaline junkie.
Jonathan Hippensteel is an Ironman triathlete, adventure traveler, part-time model and full-time banker. His passion is inspiring people primarily by what he does, but also by what he says. [www.linkedin.com/in/jonhipp]
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ivy leaguer. playwright. core friend.
Recent Yale grad Tessa Williams has written numerous award-winning plays. Currently, she's working as a writer's assistant on an ABC television show. [www.facebook.com/tessaleighwilliams]
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filmmaker. former prison psychologist. transformationalist.
Dr. Dave Smiley, a former prison psychologist, had an awakening at age 52. Retiring early, he went on to create the first transformational film about spirituality, the mind, and weight loss. [http://TheInnerWeigh.com]
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author. artist. gifter.
Author Mary Anne Radmacher has been writing to make sense of life since she was a child. She's written in the gift industry for 30 years and her licensed work is distributed around the world. [www.maryanneradmacher.net]
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doctor of optometry. life coach. holistic balancer.
Robert Dirksen is a life coach and doctor of optometry who specializes in holistic care. His passion is helping people balance all aspects of life mind, body, and soul. [www.DrRobWellness.com]
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writer. single mom. awakened soul.
Dawn Garcia is a writer, screenwriter, editor, single mom, believer of dreams, beauty, truth, and hope. Since the moment she could put pen to paper she knew she had found her purpose. [www.atodmagazine.com]
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coaches. consultants. co-creators.
Dr. David Paul and Dr. Bonnie Paul coach people to co-create conscious, loving relationships and meaningful lives. David has a mind-body consulting practice. Bonnie specializes in creativity and self-expression. [www.davidpaulmd.com] and [www.bonniepaul.com]
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