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
empathy
Lauren Lovett
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]
All of our lives have implicit meaning. Our collective experience as a civilization is not wholly random and therefore carries importance. That is at the core of every day for me.
Because we are here, stamped with inescapable expiration dates, is reason enough to choose a life full of deeds that light your fire and bring you to your own potential. I spend every day doing what I love; helping people see themselves as part of the human story.
Literature has always been a way for us to see ourselves as part of a whole. As F. Scott Fitzgerald said, “That is part of the beauty of all literature. You discover that your longings are universal longings, that you’re not lonely and isolated from anyone. You belong.”
Feeling isolated and alone is one of the deepest hurts we can feel. So many of our fears are rooted in abandonment and rejection and feeling separate and alien. When we can connect to another person or with a group of people, we are stronger and feel more valued.
Empathy is the next step after we recognize our own worth. It is then that we are able to offer compassion to another. This symbiotic relationship is as essential as breathing if we choose to live mindfully and harmoniously within our community.
Without self-worth, we cannot offer true compassion and without compassion we will breed a sociopathic society capable of perpetrating the unfathomable. That this is already happening is cause for a proactive re-evaluation of how we care for one another and for ourselves, and to what we give our attentions.
My life has come to mean that I hold up a small corner of this mission by helping people discover themselves and their capacity for empathy through reading books and sharing insights and feelings with one another. I am constantly humbled by the trust and commitment given by people from all walks of life with whom I am lucky enough to work, and to those that give their support to this endeavor.
– Lauren Lovett
Explore More Meaning
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near-death survivor. critic silencer. natural spirit.
Anita Moorjani is the bestselling author of Dying to be Me, the moving, true story of her near-death experience at the end stage of cancer. [www.anitamoorjani.com]
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composer. bliss follower. phoenix discoverer.
David Ari Leon is an Emmy-nominated composer and music supervisor. He is also music director of the Voice of Life project, whose mission is to elevate wellness with great music. [www.soundmindmusic.com]
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innovative marketer. yogi. whole-picture see’er.
Michelle Vink is a Brand Strategist for her company, VinkMedia. She is a dedicated yogi and lives with her dog, Kazuki where they try to do their part in making the world a better place, appreciating every moment. [www.vinkmedia.com]
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digital guru. buddhist. wonder seeker.
Nova Spivack is a technology futurist, serial Internet entrepreneur, and one of the leading voices on the next generation of searching, social media, and the Web. [www.novaspivack.com]
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creative problem solver. writer. questioneer.
Writer, photographer, and creative problem solver April Larson founded The Questioneers, an organization providing children throughout the world with opportunities to participate in meaningful communication. [www.thequestioneers.com]
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musical trio. hollywood implants. co-creators.
Nate and Ryan flew from Rhode Island. Jack flew from England. They landed in Los Angeles. Had a few laughs, had a few drinks, and hopped on a Cable Car. [wearecablecar.com]
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traveling writer. dream doer. every day creator.
Jacqueline Boone is the creator of the blog and web show, 6 Months to Live. She is an explorer at heart who is passionate about truly living. [6monthstolive.me]
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Author. Success Coach. Happy Guy.
Best-selling author Robert Holden's innovative work on happiness and success has been featured on Oprah, Good Morning America, and in two major BBC TV documentaries. [www.robertholden.org]
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