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

inspire

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]

Early independence ensured that I focused on helping just me. As I grew older, I realized that I could help others and get a lot of joy from doing so. As much as I loved coaching and watching my kids play sports, the best part was seeing how all the kids developed emotionally. As young people, they were able to learn to see things a little differently and improve slowly in all areas.

A real turning point for me was when my own kids started coaching younger kids, elevating me to a new sense of worth. It reinforced how much the slightest positive influence can help kids build a much better platform early in life, allowing them to be more prepared to take on the big wide world when the time arrives.

Kids pick up everything they hear and see, and there is little we can do to control it. What matters is that which they retain and how well they use the information at the appropriate time.

I want to encourage young people to use objective reasoning to assess what is logical, to contemplate their best options, and to use common sense to clinch the deal. These are the three key steps to balancing life.

Ignorance, self pity, laziness, greed and short sightedness all wrapped in a blanket of unreasonable expectations are what hold back kids and adults. They can find a million excuses, all good ones, but that never changes the fact that at some point they will have to take full responsibility for themselves. The benefits of starting early are immeasurable.

I believe strongly that if one can make a positive difference in someone’s life, then one absolutely must. I remind myself how fortunate I am and how not everyone will get the same chances that I did in life. With this in mind, there are more than enough people that need help to thrive, and I am sure that a few of them are actually waiting for me.

– Gordon Myers

Go Back

Your Turn

Think of a young person that you are close to.
For today, remember that your actions and words may influence their future decisions.
What will you do differently?

Every answer. Every day. Yep, it's free.

Comments

Every answer. Every day. Yep, it's free.

Explore More Meaning

Alexis Wolfer magazine founder. conversation sparker. inner beauty queen.
Concerned with the media focus on unrealistic body ideals, Alexis Wolfer founded the glamorous site The Beauty Bean, a free online magazine and newsletter focused on health and inner beauty. [www.thebeautybean.com]
Pat Solomon campbell resurrector. storyteller. hero inspirer.
Pat Solomon is the producer and director of Finding Joe, an exploration of famed mythologist Joseph Campbell's studies and how they provide a narrative for living a fully realized life. [www.findingjoethemovie.com]
Danielle Boonstra intuitive. writer. journey sharer.
Danielle is a writer, coach, and intuitive who simply must share her journey with honesty, love, and beautiful words. She's married to her best friend and has two delicious children. [http://danielleboonstra.com]
Allen Klein humor circulator. choice maker. passionate author.
Jerry Lewis has said that Allen Klein is "a noble and vital force watching over the human condition." Klein is an award-winning speaker and author of 18 books including The Art of Living Joyfully. [www.allenklein.com]
Leonie Allan goddess. writer. guide.
Goddess Leonie is the creator of GoddessGuidebook.com, a popular creativity + spirituality website for women. [www.goddessguidebook.com]
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]
Kate Swoboda fear whisperer. life coach. individuality embracer.
Kate Swoboda, a.k.a. Kate Courageous, is a life coach, speaker, and writer who helps clients lead unconventional and revolutionary lives by practicing courage. She created the Courageous Play and Create Stillness retreats. [www.yourcourageouslife.com]
Dennis N. T. Perkins insightful author. curious explorer. obstacle conqueror.
Dennis N.T. Perkins is the author of Into the Storm and Leading at The Edge. He is CEO of The Syncretics Group, a consulting firm dedicated to helping leaders and teams thrive under conditions of adversity, uncertainty, and change. [http://www.syncreticsgroup.com]
More

Contributors

Jonathan Parker author. spiritual transformer. teacher.
Jonathan Parker is an author and spiritual counselor with more than 30 years of experience teaching energy healing and enlightenment. He founded Quantum Quests International, Inc. [www.JonathanParker.org]
Marci Shimoff author. consultant. no-reason lover.
Marci Shimoff is the best-selling author of six Chicken Soup for the Soul books. She's one of the nation's leading experts on happiness, success, and the Law of Attraction. [www.happyfornoreason.com]
Jim Moret television journalist. author. chief correspondent.
Jim Moret is a veteran television journalist, author, and attorney who's currently Chief Correspondent for Inside Edition and a CNN contributor. [www.jimmoret.com]
Lisa Cypers Kamen spiritual psychologist. philanthropist. happiness harvester.
Lisa Cypers Kamen is a happiness expert whose blend of positive and spiritual psychology coaching, workshops, and philanthropic projects cultivates well-being in private and public audiences around the world. [www.HarvestingHappiness.com]
Mark Loring poet. literary healer. waker upper.
Mark Loving is a poet and spiritual teacher. His hope and intention is that his writing will encourage others to look at their lives, find their language and understand their story. [www.thesoulscollection.com]
Shareen Mitchell innovative designer. fashion trendy. in-flight companion.
Shareen Mitchell founded Shareen Vintage in 2004 out of a small booth at the Fairfax Flea Market. She has since launched Shareen, Inc., with vintage locations in Downtown Los Angeles and New York City. [www.shareen.com]
Yvonne Mariko Martin matriarch. compromise advocate. wise daughter.
Yvonne Mariko Martin is an accomplished educator in the field of adult education and special needs. She advocates for and gives voice to those who have yet to learn to speak for themselves.
Catherine Chen health coach. happiness rediscoverer. budding jokester.
Catherine Chen, Ph.D. is a health coach who supports busy people to achieve with ease, have time for what they love, and have self-compassion. [catherinechenwellness.com]
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]
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.
Joan Shulman coach. empowered introvert. green thumb.
A coach with a passion for introverts, Joan Shulman supports heart-centered professionals who love what they do but struggle to self-promote. She believes everyone possesses the innate wisdom needed to create fulfillment. [www.fullcirclelifecoach.com]
Robert Chapman ceo. heart-centric leader. human steward.
Robert Chapman, Chairman and CEO of Barry-Wehmiller Companies, is committed to people-centric leadership, continuous improvement, and disciplined growth to realize a vision of "Achieving Principled Results on Purpose." [www.barry-wehmiller.com]
Mike Dooley entrepreneur. author. philosophical adventurer.
Mike Dooley, a former PriceWaterhouseCoopers international tax consultant, is an entrepreneur, inspirational author, and founder of a philosophical Internet Adventurer's Club with more than 350,000 members. [www.tut.com]
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]
Bob Proctor author. living master. attractionist.
Bob Proctor is widely regarded as one of the living masters and teachers of The Law of Attraction. He's worked in the area of mind potential for over 40 years. [www.bobproctor.com]
Stephanie Angel filmmaker. writer. word maker-upper.
Stephanie Angel is the founder and Executive Director of Angelight Films, a non-profit production company that helps children with brain tumors express themselves by creating their own short films. [www.angelightfilms.org]
Brennan Smith hypnotherapist. neurophysioligist. pattern shifter.
Through his study of subconscious behavior patterns, Los Angeles hypnotherapist Brennan Smith realized that none of us is broken we're 100% worthy of having the lives we want. [www.brennansmith.com]
Agapi Stassinopoulos author. speaker. goddess.
Author and speaker Agapi Stassinopoulos lectures and conducts seminars worldwide, empowering men and women to become more connected to their individual gifts. [www.thesevengoddesses.com]
Dee Wallace actress. author. re-creation guide.
Dee Wallace has worked as an author, teacher, and actress (she played the mother in the film E.T.) in film, television, and stage for over 30 years while being devoted to the art of self-healing and to her daughter. [www.iamdeewallace.com]
Madelin Adena Smith dream cartographer. promise keeper. sayer and doer.
Madelin Adena Smith is a novelist, creative shapeshifter, and strategic visionary. She specializes in helping ambitious young women build road maps around their wildest dreams. [www.madelinadenasmith.com]
Lynda Filler poet. photographer. lover.
Lynda Filler is a poet, author, photographer, and would-be public speaker who lives in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. She has two published poetry books and is currently working on two memoir/biographies. [www.thelovefix.com]
Jason Weberman life coach. inner strength accessor. northern star.
Using his coaching and corporate background, North Star Coaching founder and president Jason Weberman helps clients access their own inner strengths to take powerful steps towards being effective leaders. [www.northstarcoaching.com]
Sonia Choquette Author. Teacher. Intuitive.
Sonia Choquette - spiritual teacher, intuitive guide, and bestselling author - has a powerful ability to instantly liberate people from limitations and fears into a far more effective, spirit-guided life. [www.trustyourvibes.com]
Mark Reinfeld chef. entrepreneur. tuning fork.
Mark Reinfeld is an award-winning chef, entrepreneur, and author specializing in vegan and raw food cuisine and recipe development. He offers vegan cuisine workshops, trainings, and retreats internationally. [www.veganfusion.com]
Bob Bates inventor. educator. artist.
Artist, musician, inventor, and educator Bob Bates is the Artistic Director of Inner-City Arts, an art space on Skid Row where at-risk children explore their creativity, learn, and grow. [www.inner-cityarts.org]
Laura Probst philanthropic advisor. consultant. impactor.
Laura Probst is a philanthropic advisor and the owner of Do Good. Make Money., a consulting firm that helps companies do just that.
Aaron Ableman edutainer. musician. balancer.
Aaron Ableman is an acclaimed "edutainer." He grew up under the mentorship of Hopi elders and children's musician Raffi, and has shared stages with K'NAAN and Joan Baez, among others. [www.balanceedutainment.com]
Tessa Williams 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]
Roger Wolfson Writer. Former Political Aide. Identifier.
Roger Wolfson is a television and film writer who's written for four different hit TV series. A former political aide, he was staff to Senators Lieberman, Kerry, Wellstone, and Kennedy. [www.rogerwolfson.com]
More

Connection

Every answer. Every day. Yep, it's free.