
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 is the co-founder and Editor in Chief of the Huffington Post and the author of twelve books. [www.huffingtonpost.com]

Seth Godin is a prominent author, blogger and speaker. [www.squidoo.com/linchpin]

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 has enjoyed a long career in television and film. He is also a political and social activist and philanthropist. [www.normanlear.com]

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]

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, 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]

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 is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. [www.lizphair.com]

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 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]

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 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 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 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]

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]

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
support

Pushing the elevator button with my elbow, I balanced bags of groceries in my arms while fishing for my keys. A man who saw me struggling asked politely if he could be of assistance. “No thank you, I’ve got it,” I started to say. But just then one of my paper bags started to rip. “Actually, I think I could use a little help!” I laughed. He carried two bags for me to my front door, and the entire way we had a lively conversation about how we all need a helping hand but are often afraid to ask for it or too shy to accept it when it’s offered.
Why is it so hard for us to ask for or accept help, even when we know we need it? Some people think that asking for help is a sign of failure or weakness. Others feel embarrassed about needing things from people, while some think they are imposing on others. And still some people think that they should just tough things out and go it alone. No matter what the reason is, the reality is that we can’t do it all on our own. And even if we could, why would we? We need partners, teammates, and allies to help us achieve the things we want.
There is no way I could be doing what I am doing today without the support of many people —my husband Bob, my students, colleagues, co-voyagers, friends, and even acquaintances. They have held a vision for me beyond what I could see for myself, held me accountable, supported and encouraged me, celebrated my victories, and offered me solace in my defeats.
Readers who have emailed me after reading my articles and books have all been sources of inspiration as well! They may not realize it, but the emails sent and the stories shared inspire me and keep me excited about where my journey will take me. And I’m continually surprised to discover that the bigger my life becomes, the more support I need. And the more support I get, the more fun I have, because I have the opportunity to connect with so many people who are doing such cool things with their lives!
It really does take a village to turn our hopes and dreams into realities. We all need—and deserve—support, from the smallest daily tasks to our largest dreams.
– Judith Wright


Explore More Meaning
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devout writer. outdoor meditator. lover of life.
As an adopted person, Susan Chapman believes anyone can be her family. She explores and communicates this dynamic philosophy through her personal relationships and her work as a writer and Primordial Sound Meditation instructor. [www.themagicproject.com]
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actress. book dweller. literature cheerleader.
Lauren is the Founder and Program Director of Reading Opens Minds (ROM), an organization that brings the Book Club experience across Los Angeles. A graduate of Juilliard, Lauren has appeared on numerous stages and television shows. [www.ReadingOpensMinds.org]
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