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
connection
Jonni Gray
acknowledger. modern meditator. tree hugger.
Jonni Gray is a doctor of transpersonal psychology, a modern meditation spiritual teacher, and a past-life regression trainer. She connects deeply through her programs and private sessions. [www.drjonnigray.com]
I believe we’re all wearing invisible signs on our backs that say “Acknowledge me.” We all long for connection, for contact, to be seen, heard, felt, touched. To feel invisible is to be lost, disconnected, without meaning.
When I was a young girl, connection with other people didn’t come readily, and when it didn’t, deep shyness set in. But I was never shy with plants and trees, with water and sunshine. I wrapped my own limbs around the trees as though they were my brothers. I joyfully plunged into the cold lake, trusting it as my best friend. I lay still on snow banks, breathing in their fluidity. They let me know they felt my presence. They received me. Held me. I was acknowledged.
That acknowledgement and connection not only sustained me as I grew up, but allowed me to flourish. Like the deep roots of my favorite trees, my connection with the living nature of the universe found depths within that resonated with nourishment, truth, purpose, and God. I knew even then that the natural world held an ancient vibration of calm, dependable trust. World War III could start, but the tide would still come in, the sun would still rise, the stars would still twinkle. I could tune in to their pulse of wisdom and reawaken my own. We could connect.
When I experience disconnection in someone I’m helping, I ask them to close their eyes and feel the soul vibration deep within. I ask them to be still and remember the feeling of sunshine against their cheek, the smell of spring blossoms, the feeling of their bare feet in cool, mossy grass. I know their re-connection will come – it’s only a matter of starting the process.
Once they find and feel the connection, their light goes on. I see it. They glow. They become lit from within. It shows in their movements, their voice, and their choices in life. That connection infuses them with an undeniable consciousness.
In my practice, I create deep, psychologically sound, spiritually aligned, emotionally intelligent modern meditations to assist people in making that vital connection. I can give no greater gift. And every time someone receives the connection, I swear I feel it, too. And all of life deepens and sighs with pleasure.
– Jonni Gray
Explore More Meaning
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teacher. natural innovator. clementine artist.
Teacher, natural products innovator, and founder of Clementine Art, Diana Mercer works in pursuit of a world where all children are artists even after they grow up. [www.clementineart.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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innovative home schooler. lifelong learner. possibility seeker.
Pamela Beere Briggs is a filmmaker, writer, and the mother of a happy teen. Her passions include good food, engaging books, and re-thinking the wisdom of middle school. [www.TwointheMiddle.com]
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spiritual pioneer. author. authentic empowerer.
As a bestselling author and pioneer of the new spirituality, Gary Zukav's gentle presence, humor, and insightful wisdom have inspired millions to realize their soul's greatest potential. [www.seatofthesoul.com]
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author. teacher. expressionist.
Author, coach, counselor, teacher, and workshop facilitator for Café Gratitude and Challenge Day, Erin Ross has inspired and empowered thousands to take positive action toward living their lives fully expressed. [www.getthatyoumatter.com]
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writer. explorer. risk-taker.
Eric Hiss navigates the world in search of unexpected, entertaining, off-the-beaten-path stories. He's written about everything from spas to pop bands. Eric also co-founded wandermelon.com. [www.wandermelon.com]
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actress. environmental advisor. world peace representative.
Leigh Taylor Young is an Emmy Award-winning actress. She's also been a Special Advisor in Arts and Media for the United Nations Environment Programme. [www.lty.com]
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surfer. survivor. patience practicer.
After a life changing accident left him a quadriplegic, Jesse Billauer founded the non-profit foundation Life Rolls On. Jesse's passion is to inspire people to look at their lives in a more thoughtful and thankful way. [www.jessebillauer.com]
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