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
at peace
Elizabeth Jayne Liu
writer. list maker. self challenger.
Elizabeth Jayne Liu gives herself a weekly challenge every Monday. She fails a lot, but has a great time doing it. [www.flourishinprogress.com]
For some people, happiness means doing things that are meaningful, or being surrounded by a lot of children, but for me it’s just waking up in the morning and feeling a deep sense of peace about where I am in my life. I remember many mornings throughout my twenties when I’d wake up and as soon as I gained consciousness, I’d have an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach. It’s debilitating not to feel at peace. Being at peace is most meaningful to me and ultimately leads to my happiness.
I spent my twenties working at a series of low-paying, unsatisfying jobs. I felt very unhappy and thought there was nothing I was good at, nothing I could do to contribute to society or to the people I knew. But then I started writing.
Through my blog, I often get emails from people who feel down-and-out and are seeking their own happiness. I always give them the same answer: Just keep on moving, one step at a time, doing one thing at a time, and eventually you’ll find your purpose. I get emails back all the time saying, “That is the most nebulous, unhelpful answer I’ve ever received.” But, then, months later, I’ll get another email saying, “You know what? You were absolutely right!” When it’s your time to find your calling, it’s going to happen.
If you haven’t found your calling, don’t sit back and wait for the universe to push it in your face. Make a proactive effort. Try things out. Reach out to people you admire or people doing things you’re interested in. Play an active role in who you’re supposed to become.
I like to make lists, so when I’m not feeling at peace, I make a list. It doesn’t need to be long, because usually after listing three or four items I already feel a lot better. I list things that are going right in my life or things that bring me joy or people who’ve been wonderful and loving and supportive. Sometimes I list people who’ve brought me joy that week or things that have happened that made me smile. As I make the list, I come out of the funk and can set my mind right and go on with my day.
When you don’t know where to start, just start with the simplest thing. It builds confidence. Then it’s very easy to feel like you’ve already accomplished something and you’re moving forward.
– Elizabeth Jayne Liu
Explore More Meaning
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healer. author. receiver.
Alexandra Solnado's path as a spiritual healer began in a moment, when her daughter stopped breathing. Since then, she's channeled books, spiritual therapies, and meditations. [www.alexandrasolnado.net]
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awakened director. inner-net listener. real food chooser.
Tom Shadyac is one of Hollywood's most prolific comedy directors. His latest project, the documentary I AM, takes a serious look at what's wrong with our world and examines what we can do about it. [www.iamthedoc.com]
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yoga expert. author. couch yogi.
Tara Stiles is reinventing yoga practice, proving you don't need to call yourself a "yoga person" to make it part of your life. She founded Strala Yoga and is Deepak Chopra's personal yoga instructor. [www.tarastiles.com]
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illustrator. roughhousing dad. unhurried achiever.
Two truths and a lie about Rama Hughes: He dropped out of school to work on a farm. About 15 years before they met, he described his wife accurately in a letter. He wrestled bear cubs while working as a zookeeper. [www.ramahughes.com]
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entrepreneur. wise woman. success embracer.
Kiva Leatherman is the founder of the Wise Women Network, inspiring women to stop living vicariously though others and embrace financial, emotional, and physical success on our own terms. [www.wisewomennetwork.com]
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balance guru. teacher. fortune cookie writer.
Jason Womack provides practical methods for maximizing tools, systems, and processes to achieve quality work/life balance. He's worked with leaders and executives for over 16 years in the business and education sectors. [www.womackcompany.com]
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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]
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writer. actor. life enthusiast.
Matt Schweppe is an enthusiast of life. He writes, coaches, and acts. He founded Taking-A-Stand and he co-founded The Authentic Family Experience and The Inspired Leadership Institute. [www.mattschweppe.com]
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