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
conscious
Izabella Miko
actress. singer. sexy environmentalist.
Actress, singer and environmentalist, Izabella Miko, founded The EkoMiko Foundation, a non-profit that takes an innovative and super sexy approach in educating about caring for our environment. www.ekomiko.com
Consciousness is about experiencing. It’s about being present, being awake.
Everything we do matters – the actions we take, the things we buy, what we say, what we think. All we do has consequences. We live in an overwhelming world that’s so easy to get lost in. We think we don’t have any power. But we do.
As consumers, we have a huge responsibility. When I consider buying something, I’m conscious about it. I wonder where it came from, who touched it before me, what path it’s going to take, and whether I really need it.
Sometimes, when I’ve been working really hard, I become a zombie. The day goes by and I’m just not present. I catch what’s happening though and focus on whatever task I’m doing to give it all of my energy and attention. This practice of consciousness relaxes my mind and brings me back to the present moment. It centers me.
It’s one of the reasons I love circus training on the trapeze. In order to do it I have to be present in the now – otherwise I’m in danger. I can’t think about anything else, like phone calls or errands. This kind of focused consciousness creates a great mind-body connection.
Being conscious is also about learning that it’s not just about us … that we do affect other lives.
Growing up in Poland, I learned through my mom to be conscious of the world’s pain. She’d say, “You haven’t played with these toys in five days. We’re giving them away.” So we’d take them to a family of eight who had no toys. We’d take them food, clothes, or even soap. We shared what we had more than enough of.
I moved to New York to dance ballet, but I ended up doing a lot of charity work and I found myself becoming passionate about the environment. Without the planet, there’s no us. It’s all about being conscious of little things we do, like saving water by turning it off when we brush our teeth. Spending half the day on ourselves and half on others or the planet teaches us to be humble and understand that we’re here to be of service as part of something bigger.
My belief is that even if our circumstances seem horrible, as we become more conscious and aware and turn the little things around, everything else follows.
- Izabella Miko
lifebyme.com would like to congratulate Izabella on the launch of her deliciously divine eco candle line benefiting her not-for-profit environmental foundation EkoMiko. Recycled wine bottles and rich coconut wax, so much thought and love has gone into making these beauties and you can certainly tell! www.shopekomiko.com
Explore More Meaning
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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
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traveler. day trader. wandering adventurer.
Marcello Arrambide is a day trader turned traveler who’s currently exploring the world. http://wanderingtrader.com
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leadership consultant. author. storm chaser.
Deidre Combs provides leadership and cross-cultural conflict skills as a consultant, coach, author, mediator, and professor. She developed the core foundations course for Montana State University’s Leadership Fellows Certificate Program. www.combsandcompany.com
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cartoonist. creator. funny guy.
Cartoonist Dave Kellett previously worked as a writer and toy designer at Mattel Toys. He founded Sheldon Comics and is the creator of Sheldon cartoons. www.sheldoncomics.com
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author. mama. pleasure pioneer.
Regena Thomashauer (Mama Gena) is a revolution: an icon, teacher, author, mother, and a pioneer in researching the nature of pleasure and dedicating her life to the discipline of pleasure. www.mamagenas.com
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story weaver. mystery buff. bull follower.
Author Kent Nerburn holds a PhD in religion and art. His most recent work completes a trilogy filled with spiritual and inspirational stories. His books have been Minnesota Book Award winners. www.kentnerburn.com
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business expert. arbiter of style. smarty pants.
Small business expert Amy Swift has helped launch thousands of businesses and ideas. She founded Smarty to give entrepreneurs authentic space to partner and grow. www.smartypeople.com
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producer. storyteller. j.k.ster.
Mark Gustawes is president of film and TV production at j.k. livin. www.jklivin.com
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