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
presence
Leigh Taylor Young
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
What’s most meaningful to me is what I call simply loving God. I also call it the presence. The moment I say to myself, “I’m loving,” “I’m in tune,” or “I’m present with the presence,” I immediately focus on what I love the most, which is feeling a connection with the divine. There’s a warmth in that, a sense of safety, a sense of “I’m okay” that has nothing to do with who I am in this world, who I am in any relationship, or who I am on my to do list.
I’m a perfectionist, so I can set myself up very nicely for procrastination if I romantically idealize what spirit is for me. If I find myself going into shoulds, thinking, for instance, that my practice should look like sitting down and meditating, then I can get judgmental because I may not be doing that. But God isn’t judging me, I’m judging myself. What I’ve been learning to do instead is give myself permission to very quickly make contact by moving my consciousness.
When I practice moving my consciousness, there’s an immediate effect. In an instant, faster than an intake of breath, I shift into a deep honoring in the moment of who I am in the spirit – even if I do it through just a quick, “Hello, God. I’m here. I’m yours. I love you. Be with me as I travel through this.”
This is practical spirituality – if it doesn’t serve me, I’m not going there. I may think I’ll have time to sit down and meditate, but then all of a sudden I’m preparing lunch instead. So I just bring God in as I’m making lunch. Practicing the presence of God can look like chopping the carrots, making a salad, and having my consciousness there as I do it. It doesn’t even matter if the TV’s on. The conditions don’t matter. Part of what I’m practicing is that the presence of God is not conditional. I can practice by thinking things like, “Wow, this is a noisy room right now, but I know you’re with me, God.”
This way of practicing the presence is about not making it so special that I make it separate. I practice being creative with how I can tap into the presence as much as possible, no matter where I am or what I’m doing in this fast-paced world. And the truth of the matter is that God’s presence is never going anywhere. It’s with us every single minute.
- Leigh Taylor Young
Explore More Meaning
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belly dancer. nature lover. authenticity excavator.
Author Jacqui Lalita travels the world teaching and performing the ancient art of belly dancing. The moon, plants, and furry creatures of our world have been her greatest teachers. www.danceofthedivine.org
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neurotransmitter. sound innovator. yummy hummer.
Sound visionary and author Alex Theory draws upon extensive training in psychology, integrative medicine, and psychoacoustic music production to innovate new styles of music and media. www.unifyearth.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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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
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Editor-in-Chief. Power Woman. Proponent of Fun.
Cynthia Leive is the editor-in-chief of Glamour magazine. She was named the "Most Powerful U.S. Fashion Magazine Editor" by Forbes. www.glamour.com
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manager. student. joy infuser.
As a business manager, Nicholas Brown frees artists from the daily responsibility of handling their money, demonstrating trust, integrity, and service as the platform of his business foundation. www.gsogroup.com
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mentor. author. destiny fulfiller.
A teacher in the fulfillment of personal and professional destinies, Peggy McColl is a best-selling author, a mentor for authors and entrepreneurs, and the founder of Dynamic Destinies Inc. http://destinies.com
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Producer. Entrepreneur. Idea Generator.
Donray Von is the CEO of Ready Set Go!, a producer of original content for film, television and online.
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