Jack Canfield 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 Kevin Bales 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]

 
Sophie Chiche 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

 

purpose

Deborah Barron Deborah Barron dream midwife. contributor. possibility example.

Deborah Barron is a life coach, writer and curious explorer, passionate about expanding feminine consciousness on the planet, one courageous woman at a time. [www.deborahbarron.net]

What if the thing that lights you up when you talk about it (yes! THAT thing!), is actually the reason you are here?  What if the pursuit of your deepest desires is the essential purpose of your life?

Most of us learned as young children to disregard the messages of our in-born internal compass, in favor of the path the well-intentioned elders insisted would be safer for us. Considering this fact in light of the current state of the planet, I see a direct correlation. Getting clear about our life purpose is actually a moral imperative.

Testing this theory with my clients, I found that when encouraged to explore our deepest desires for fulfillment, it always comes back to contribution. Of course, there are exceptions, but the argument that following the inner guidance of our deeply held desires means neglecting our responsibilities or depriving others, simply doesn’t hold up. In fact, the opposite is true.

At the end of my 49th year, having accomplished what I thought I was supposed to: marriage, family, children, and a successful career, I began asking questions like, “What else?” “What matters?” “What is significant?”

This led me to my work as a life coach to serve as midwife to the dreams and aspirations of my clients. So on my 50th birthday I packed only what fit in two suitcases and bought a one-way ticket to Central America to explore other cultures and other ways of living and to test my theory: living the life of my dreams and serving as an example of what is possible is the very reason I am here.

What is your essential purpose? It is vital to the rest of us that you discover and pursue it. What do you secretly dream of doing with your life? What if you were assured that you were meant to do it? How important would it be then to pursue? What assumptions do you make about why it’s not possible now? What if those assumptions are false?  What is possible for your life then?

Here’s the tricky part: stay out of the HOW. Any focus on “how is this going to work?” at this early stage, will derail you. Once you are clear on why you are here, the next steps become apparent. But it is essential to start with the dream.

– Deborah Barron

Comments

Explore More Meaning

  • Yulady Saluti
    Yulady Saluti Yulady Saluti courageous survivor. unstoppable mom. playful joker.

    Certified yoga instructor, Yulady Saluti, never stops moving, even in the midst of battling a serious colon rectal medical condition and Stage 2 breast cancer. She documents her journey on her blog. [www.yuladysaluti.com]

     
  • Keith Ferrazzi
    Keith Ferrazzi Keith Ferrazzi personal relationship developer. life transformer. corporate wunderkind.

    Keith Ferrazzi is an author, speaker, activist, and entrepreneur whose expertise in professional relationship development has transformed careers and lives worldwide. [www.keithferrazzi.com]

     
  • Alexis Shepperd
    Alexis Shepperd Alexis Shepperd Life Coach. Authentic Relationship Builder.

    Alexis Shepperd, Ph.D., is a life coach and co-founder of the Authentic Woman Experience, dedicated to passionate romantic relationships, sisterhood, and every woman's birthright to adore her life. [www.authenticwomanexperience.com]

     
  • Nick Abson
    Nick Abson Nick Abson hydrogen fuel cell pioneer. transformational radical.

    1960s radical Nick Abson ran an iconic recording studio and film company in London. His subsequent work as a director led him to become a pioneer in hydrogen fuel cells.

     
  • Kristen Wolf
    Kristen Wolf Kristen Wolf curious author. filmmaker. imagineer.

    Kristen Wolf is a mother, writer, and filmmaker who lives in the Rocky Mountains. [www.kristenwolf.com]

     
  • Mitch Newman
    Mitch Newman Mitch Newman love doctor. story buster. enoughness spreader.

    Relationship coach Mitch Newman provides individuals and couples with tools for staying in relationships longer than a holiday weekend. Side effects may include joy, gratitude, and an enlarged heart. [www.cardtherapy.com]

     
  • Jamila Dawson
    Jamila Dawson Jamila Dawson erotic coach. sexual submissive. body listener.

    Jamila Dawson works on the front lines of pleasure-based sexuality, through personal coaching and workshops. Her focus is on BDSM, polyamory, and erotic Integrity. [www.jamiladawson.com]

     
  • Mark Simmons
    Mark Simmons Mark Simmons author. entrepreneur. playful brit.

    Mark Simmons is an author, branding expert, and entrepreneur who believes in the power of ideas to change the world. He founded the social enterprise useless.org. [www.useless.org]

     
  • More

Contributors

  • Kyle Hermans
    Kyle Hermans Kyle Hermans creativity facilitator. inspired dad. theater baby.

    Kyle Hermans runs the West Coast division of Synecticsworld, a global innovation and creativity firm. He's deeply committed to releasing and enriching the creativity of others. [www.synecticsworld.com]

     
  • Sarah Samuel
    Sarah Samuel Sarah Samuel Writer. Linguist. Belly Laugher.

    Sarah Samuel lives in a mouse-infested apartment in New York City with three best friends. She likes to draw comics, write, and talk about linguistics. Whatever the future has in store, she hopes it includes an exterminator.

     
  • Dave Elliott
    Dave Elliott Dave Elliott 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]

     
  • Megan Maione
    Megan Maione Megan Maione tarot card reader. question asker. limit breaker.

    Megan Maione works with clients on clearing points of view, judgments, projections, and conclusions utilizing tarot. Her goal is to identify their targets while helping them be in allowance of the way things show up and integrating intuition. [www.tarotbymegan.com]

     
  • Ken Roth
    Ken Roth Ken Roth human rights activist. writer. justice seeker.

    Kenneth Roth is the Executive Director of Human Rights Watch. He's investigated and written extensively on a wide range of human rights issues. [www.hrw.org]

     
  • Pat Thomas
    Pat Thomas Pat Thomas writer. activist. asker of questions.

    Pat Thomas is a journalist, campaigner, and author specializing in health and environment. She's the author of dozens of books for adults and children and creator of the interactive game Infrequently Asked Questions. [www.iaqs.org.uk]

     
  • Alexandra Franzen
    Alexandra Franzen Alexandra Franzen promotional writer. personal supergirl. secret weapon.

    Alexandra Franzen is a promotional writer and pro-active pimp who wrangles communications for pro-bloggers and helps entrepreneurs expand their empires--without the hassle of cloning. [www.alexandrafranzen.com]

     
  • Gordon Myers
    Gordon Myers Gordon Myers empowering dad. motivating coach. difference maker.

    Gordon Myers is a Namibian life strategist living in Los Angeles. He teaches teenagers how to create their own luck regardless of their current personal circumstances. [www.streetsmartkids.com]

     
  • Susan Pohlman
    Susan Pohlman Susan Pohlman writer. teacher. expert relocator.

    Susan Pohlman is a freelance writer based in Scottsdale, Arizona. She's an award-winning author, published essayist, and short film wordsmith. [www.susanpohlman.com]

     
  • Dave Smiley
    Dave Smiley Dave Smiley 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]

     
  • Kirsten Olson
    Kirsten Olson Kirsten Olson listener. describer. activist.

    Author Kirsten Olson is Chief Listening Officer at Old Sow Consulting. She's a founding board member of IDEA, a national not-for-profit that forwards democratic practices in education. [www.kirstenolson.org]

     
  • Chip Conley
    Chip Conley Chip Conley hotelier. author. inner seer.

    Bestselling author Chip Conley is the founder and executive chairman of Joie de Vivre, America's second largest boutique hotel company. He writes about his company's techniques and transformational leadership practices. [www.chipconley.com]

     
  • Tommy Rosen
    Tommy Rosen Tommy Rosen Yoga Teacher. Storyteller. Recovery Expert.

    Tommy Rosen is an expert in addiction and recovery, a gifted storyteller, and a certified yoga teacher. He helps people live more fulfilling, healthier lives.

     
  • Debra Oakland
    Debra Oakland Debra Oakland writer. joyful experiencer. courage advocate.

    Within six years, Debra Oakland lost her son, her unborn child, two brothers, and her father. Instead of giving up, she chooses to live in courage, joy, and power. [www.livingincourageonline.com]

     
  • Parris Whittingham
    Parris Whittingham Parris Whittingham moment capturer. love admirer. friend of the bride + groom.

    Parris Whittingham is a relationship photographer and creative producer. Based in NYC, he collaborates with a select couples and business clients to unleash their stories. [fromparriswithlove.com]

     
  • Melissa Bradley
    Melissa Bradley Melissa Bradley grateful mom. connector. flexible traveler.

    Melissa Bradley is the founder of Indagare, a member-based online community for sophisticated travelers, providing access to curated online archives, printed guides, and custom advisory and booking services. [www.indagare.com]

     
  • Nancy Sherr
    Nancy Sherr Nancy Sherr reinvention catalyst. white canvas embracer. believer.

    Nancy Sherr is the creator of A Zestful Life, coaching brave hearted women through Big. Life. Change. She is an inspiring reinvention catalyst, supports graceful navigation of life transitions, exuberant living, fully expressed. [www.nancysherr.com]

     
  • Julia Cameron
    Julia Cameron Julia Cameron author. poet. aritistic guide.

    Julia Cameron has been an active artist for more than 30 years. A bestselling novelist, playwright, songwriter, and poet, she has multiple credits in theater, film, and television. [www.theartistsway.com]

     
  • Kelley Raleigh
    Kelley Raleigh Kelley Raleigh leader. education producer. essence expresser.

    Kelley Raleigh founded Leading by Example, a multi-media company that showcases young people who are doing good – through local and international service projects, comedy web series, coaching, and workshops around the country. [www.leadingbyexample.co]

     
  • Mark Harradine
    Mark Harradine Mark Harradine gifts identifier. inner wizard finder. spiritual sunbather.

    Mark Harradine is a strategist who creates flourishing commercial value for entrepreneurs by identifying their natural gifts, promoting clarity of purpose, and encouraging inner and professional development to expand and sustain business. [www.markharradine.com]

     
  • Aly Scott
    Aly Scott Aly Scott stylist extraordinaire. growth seeker. light beamer.

    Aly Scott is the founder of StyleChic, a global VIP shopping and styling company catering to all body types, lifestyles and budgets. She then launched JILRO, a clothing line breaking all sizes barriers. [www.stylechicla.com]

     
  • Tal Ronnen
    Tal Ronnen Tal Ronnen vegan chef. author. king of yummy.

    Tal Ronnen is a chef, cookbook author, and teacher. He started the Veg Advantage program, which helps food-service operators integrate vegetarian options into their daily operations. [www.talronnen.com]

     
  • Hayley Holmes
    Hayley Holmes Hayley Holmes character enthusiast. rollerblader. applause inducer.

    Hayley Holmes has turned her love for entertaining into a dream come true in Hollywood. She's a small-town girl who looks for new adventures every day and is enjoying the ride. [www.hayleyholmes.com]

     
  • Michael Meade
    Michael Meade Michael Meade master storyteller. mythology scholar. mosaicist.

    Michael Meade is a master storyteller, a scholar of mythology, and an author. He founded the Mosaic Multicultural Foundation, a network of artists, teachers, and activists fostering community. [www.mosaicvoices.org]

     
  • Benjamin Salka
    Benjamin Salka Benjamin Salka story pirate. avid learner. people person.

    Benjamin Salka is the co-founder and CEO of Story Pirates, which celebrates the words, ideas, and stories of children, encouraging and empowering young people to invent big ideas for a new generation. [www.storypirates.org]

     
  • Kaleigh Somers
    Kaleigh Somers Kaleigh Somers budding author. life rewriter. scribble lover.

    Kaleigh Somers studies Media Arts & Design and Creative Writing at James Madison University. She wants to publish a young adult novel and work for a non-profit dedicated to empowering young women. [www.kaleighsomers.wordpress.com]

     
  • Tristan Truscott
    Tristan Truscott Tristan Truscott coach. black belt. clarifier.

    Tristan Truscott is a Sensei (martial arts black belt), mindset coach, speaker, entrepreneur, and traveler who loves helping people create vibrant health, abundant wealth, and beautiful relationships. [www.satorimethod.com]

     
  • Lisa Burke
    Lisa Burke Lisa Burke surfer. fashion designer. marine life crusader.

    Lisa Burke is a surfer, marine life activist, and fashion designer who founded the swimwear line Lisa Blue. Lisa Blue donates 25% of its net profits to helping protect whales and dolphins. [www.lisablue.com.au]

     
  • Charles Sophy
    Charles Sophy Charles Sophy doctor. author. sweeper.

    Dr. Charles Sophy has dedicated his life to the physical and mental well-being of children and families from all walks of life. [www.drsophy.com]

     
  • More

Connection


© 2010-2023 lifebyme.com. All rights reserved. (design by nodethirtythree)