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. TED-talker. no-bullsh**er.
Sophie Chiche, founder of lifebyme.com, is the single mom of an amazing 16-year-old, Leah, and wicked step-mom of 22-year-old, Sarah. They all live in LA. You can find them boxing, cooking, collaging, hosting brunches, laughing their head off or bickering over who’s washing and who’s drying the dishes.
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
joy
Gloria Kellett
television writer. playwright. comedienne.
Gloria Calderón Kellett is an author, playwright, television comedy writer and producer, sketch comedy group member, stand-up comedian, and Alma award winner. www.everythinggloria.com
The pursuit of joy is most meaningful to me because it encompasses everything. Balancing work or family doesn’t quite encompass enough, but the pursuit of joy means feeling connected to my loved ones, laughing, seeing the humor in life, walking around feeling good, and doing the best I can to be my best self.
I was a model as a kid, in Portland, and took my looks very seriously. Then, when I was 12, I broke my jaw, my two front teeth fell out, and I had to have braces. It was the first time I didn’t feel like the most attractive person in the room. That became character-defining for me because I realized that if I wanted people to look at me, I’d better say something interesting. And if I say something not only interesting, but funny, then people will really notice me.
Then, when I was 14, I moved from Oregon to San Diego. I walked into school and all the girls were gorgeous beach blondes. There I was with my braces and crooked face. But once I found myself by working with my brain and trying to be interesting and funny, I knew I could walk into any room and it didn’t matter what I looked like.
At the time of the accident I was devastated. But it turned out to be a blessing. I owe that defining moment my life.
Now I always try to find the blessing in the disappointment. When I have a difficult day, it’s often because I’m spending too much energy on something that’s not currently happening – anxiety about the future or stress from the past. One day, I tell myself, I’m going to learn something so important because of this.
Meditation and humor help me get back on track. If I sit quietly for a moment and breathe, focusing on being present in this moment and doing the best I can in this moment, it pulls me out of worry. I also do what the British call “taking the piss,” which means making fun of something. If I’m stressing about something silly, I’ll make fun of myself. The truth of the matter is that nobody except me cares about my zit. But if I show up in joy anyway, not only do they not care about the zit, they only see the joy.
Obviously, I don’t walk around joy-filled all the time, but that’s certainly my goal. It’s what I hope for. I aspire to being filled with joy.
- Gloria Kellett
Explore More Meaning
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creator. truth seeker. jourrneyer.
Joan Barnes was the principal owner of YOGASTUDIO. She also founded and was CEO of Gymboree. She continues to be involved in creative recreation for all age groups.
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Producer. Entrepreneur. Idea Generator.
Donray Von is the CEO of Ready Set Go!, a producer of original content for film, television and online.
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radio show host. heart doctor. soul sistah.
Radio show host Cathy Matarazzo is a spiritual heart doctor, soulful surgeon, and celebrity coach who’s spent a lifetime studying the intricate makeup of the heart and its mechanics. www.cathymatarazzo.com
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Narrative Therapist. Question Asker. Listener.
Larry Zucker is a narrative therapist who believes in people's abilities to create – and find support for – many different and wonderful ways of showing up in relationships and community. www.larchmontassociates.com
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Life Coach. Event Mastermind.
Bevin Lynch is a life coach and the creator of The Well-Being Expo, a multi-city event that offers tools and information people can use to enhance their own well-being. www.bevinlynch.com
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manager. student. joy infuser.
As a business manager, Nicholas Brown frees artists from the daily responsibility of handling their money, demonstrating trust, integrity, and service as the platform of his business foundation. www.gsogroup.com
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grief embracer. courageous survivor. midlife midwife.
Jennifer Boykin’s vision is to “rebrand a gazillion crones.” She speaks, teaches, and writes as the Creative Visionary and Chief Rabble-Rouser of the MidLife Reinvention site Life After Tampons. www.LifeAfterTampons.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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