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
li’l things
Miki Devivo
life author. real mother. unique sparkler.
Miki DeVivo is a mom, story wrangler, still space finder, and bridge builder. She's passionate about building a community of moms who give voice to what's in their hearts. [www.thestillspace.com]
For me, it’s the little things. The way my daughter wraps her whole body around my leg to hug me. The cadence of my son’s voice when he says, “Mama, I love you.” The way my husband whistles when he’s happy, without even noticing. And the way my mom proclaims her love of butter every single time she eats toast.
I’ve long been fascinated by the alchemy that occurs when people come together to share their stories. How each of us is sparklingly unique and, at the same time, all connected as part of the universal story. Those little moments anchor the bonds we share, connecting us ever more closely together.
I was honestly not prepared for the relentless demands of motherhood. Consumed by what I thought I “should” be doing, I couldn’t enjoy the little moments. One day, about six months in, I was taking some pictures of my little one and, in that moment, the fears and doubts melted away. It was as if I was truly seeing her for the first time.
There’s a myth in our culture that motherhood is an amazingly transcendent experience full of rainbows and fluffy bunnies. And there are times when it is indeed heartachingly beautiful. But motherhood is also really hard, and there’s no shame in that.
When I rush, telling myself that I can enjoy something when I’m done with that other thing, I feel disconnected. “Done” never seems to come. But when I slow down and let the meaning of each small moment unfold, I connect with my family in the way I long to.
Let’s give ourselves permission to talk about what it’s really like for us – the ups and the downs. Let’s create our own definitions of what Real Motherhood looks like. Let’s stop living by someone else’s script and start tuning in to our own deep knowing.
By choosing to become the authors of our own life stories, we free up energy to discover what we want and to make our own meaning out of our experiences.
My desire for my own motherhood story is that it be a spiritual practice, a letting go of the false perfection of “getting it right” and an embracing of the deeper perfection of “good enough.”
Along the way, I enjoy the little moments, connecting in small ways.
Again and again and again.
– Miki Devivo
Explore More Meaning
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focused fashionista. go-getter. miracle creator.
Erin Norton is a director at JBrand Jeans, a leading Los Angeles based fashion brand. She is a friend enthusiast, appreciates a good glass of wine, and is slowly learning to love squats. [www.jbrandjeans.com]
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Guitarist. Songwriter. Rhythm Rider.
Kamil Rustam is a French guitarist, composer, arranger, songwriter, producer, and a prolific musician. [www.kamilrustam.com]
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comedian. writer. blond.
Jamie Gaul is a writer, improviser and stand up comedian in Los Angeles, CA. Whether she is on stage or off, she looks to help people find joy in life through laughter. [www.jamie-gaul.com]
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brand innovator. author. thinktopian.
Founder and CEO of THINKTOPIA, Patrick Hanlon is acknowledged as one of the top brand innovation practitioners in the world. [www.thinktopia.com]
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adventurer. guide. life-lover.
Jen Whalen is an enthusiastic life-lover, guide, and the founder of True North Adventures a soul-centered business with an experiential approach to fully engaging in the adventure of life. [www.seektruenorth.com]
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speaker. author. spiritual internist.
Dr. Larry Dossey is a former internist and the author of eleven books on the role of consciousness and spirituality in health. He lectures around the world. [www.dosseydossey.com]
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yoga teacher. humanitarian. voice for social change.
Seane Corn is an internationally celebrated yoga teacher and humanitarian, the National Yoga Ambassador for YouthAIDS, and cofounder of Off The Mat, Into the World, a leadership-training program. [www.seanecorn.com]
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mentor. adventurer. neural-linguist.
Terry Tillman's mission is to support and mentor people in producing results, discovering their value, and realizing their dreams. He's living proof that it is possible to do it all. [www.227company.com]
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