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
being myself
Frank Gjata
armor penetrator. tattoo trendsetter. bliss follower.
Frank Gjata is a writer, coach, and bliss activist dedicated to creating fun, unique, and effective tools that guide people toward a world of bliss. [www.blississippi.com]
Living my personal bliss is my main focus these days. It’s not only blissful, but practical. This is when I feel most alive, connected and grateful. My bliss really just comes from being my true self, full-time. Still working on the “full-time” part.
I schedule in what I call the ingredients for my bliss day. I look at what brings me the most bliss for the buck. I invite others to do the same…to really look at what brings them the most joy and to schedule those things into their day as they would any other essentials, like brushing their teeth. I feel blessed because my “work” is very much part of my bliss day. In fact, if I notice I need a bliss boost, I actually look to schedule in more clients!
Connecting is also a big part of my bliss. Whether it’s connecting to myself, others or spirit, it’s really all the same. I call it the “connection three-fer”. When I connect to one, I connect to all. It’s quite a bargain!
I’ve also found the simple act of acknowledgment to very powerful. When we acknowledge whatever we’re feeling in the moment (no matter what it is “good” or “bad”), we’re actually practicing unconditional love and acceptance. Isn’t that what we all want?
One of the simplest ways I believe I impact others is by expressing my enthusiasm for whatever it is they’re feeling in the moment. This is often a very foreign experience for most…to actually hear enthusiasm about something they’ve perhaps been hiding their entire lives or have felt shame about.
Why am I enthusiastic? Because what they’re voicing is their true, authentic experience. What could be better than that? It would actually be insane to voice or believe anything other. Plus, this exercise is pretty much guaranteed to invoke laughter. You can imagine a person who was just previously terrified to even acknowledge their truth to themselves, a few minutes later, is expressing it out loud with full acceptance and sheer enthusiasm. The truth really does set us free.
I also remind people to have compassion for themselves. Facing old wounds can feel terrifying, even like death. Because often, at the onset of those wounds, it actually felt like death. So we put on armor to stay safe. Of course, now the paradox is that it’s our armor that’s causing our deepest wounds. Not to mention just how cumbersome it is to walk around in that heavy armor all the time!
True safety comes from dropping our armor. True strength comes from exposing our vulnerabilities. And to truly become “somebody” in this world, we must truly be ourselves.
Explore More Meaning
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expresser. body attender. dream catcher.
Dyana Valentine works closely and intensely with people and companies truly ready to make something happen. Through a platform of community psychology, she helps high-performing creatives move and shake. [www.dyanavalentine.com]
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father. papa. daddy.
After enduring an incredible tragedy, architectural photographer Scott Sandler started Rachel's Registry to help cancer patients more easily find current and pertinent clinical trials. [www.rachelsregistry.com]
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fitness and wellness advisor. yoga instructor. body lover.
Mandy Ingber is a fitness and wellness advisor, celebrity yoga instructor, author, and DVD star who motivates people with her light-hearted approach and unique teaching style. [www.mandyingber.com]
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education pioneer. classroom collaborator. inspired perspirer.
Joel Pelcyger, a nationally respected educator, has served as Head of PS1 Pluralistic School since 1971 when he co-founded the independent elementary school in Santa Monica, CA. [www.psone.org]
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word-wise fundraiser. worldwide contributor. butterfly embracer.
Keidi Keating is an editor, ghostwriter, and publisher. She is currently living between Spain and the United States. Along with The Light, she writes books that spread Loving and Light to the world. [thelightnetwork.com/thelight]
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higher self guide. spiritual integrator. dolphin whisperer.
Matthew Joyce is a spirit guide. He founded Higher Self Guides to remind people that divine spirituality isn't just for mystics. It's for you, too. [www.higherselfguides.com]
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happy mama. adoring wife. golden girl.
Designer Lana Bramlette is known as the "Queen of Hoops." Her fine gold line, Lana Jewelry, is an unmistakable collection of sexy, streamlined, architectural pieces that stand alone in the contemporary fine jewelry world. [www.lanajewelry.com]
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avid meditator. awareness expander. soulmate.
Brian Hilliard has developed, managed, and invested in commercial real estate, telecommunications, publishing, and entertainment. Currently, his primary focus is on humanitarian projects and assisting non-profits with fundraising and hands-on participation.
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