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
possibility
Paul Cummins
Poet. Educator. Philanthropist.
Author, poet, and educator Paul F. Cummins is the Executive Director of the New Visions Foundation, which finds innovative ways to educate underserved children. [www.newvisionsfnd.org]
What is most meaningful in my life? Laughing with my daughters, being with my wife, throwing balls for my golden retriever, listening to a river’s susurrus, and trying to answer poet Mary Oliver’s question: “What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”
My answer is to share what I’ve learned with whoever cares to listen or whoever I may inspire to listen. What I have learned by now – I’m in my eighth decade – is that hope, passion, and intelligence are essential if we are to save this beautiful blue planet of ours.
Helen Caldicott wrote, “We were born for one reason … We were born to save the creation.” I believe this to be true and I believe that education is the primary means to that salvation. Furthermore, meaningful education must embrace four values and goals at the core: environmental sustainability, economic and social justice, respect for cultural and racial diversity, and, finally – critically – population control. Lest these issues seem too serious and grim, I hasten to add that the study and celebration of these four values can be accomplished in educational and cultural contexts of joy and creativity. Schools, for example, can and should be magical places to which children and youth are eager to go, places where self-expression, individualized learning, and artistic collaborations are encouraged, and where service to others is built into the curriculum.
How do I keep myself engaged in the process of saving creation? The answer is easy – I look at the beauty of this world, at the grace and dignity and curiosity of so many students, and at the denial of simple decency for so many, and I am eager each day to do what I can to address inequities and expand possibilities. As Emily Dickinson wrote, “I dwell in possibility.”
I take courage from music and literature, and through reading and writing poetry, which show me doors that open to life. Lines like W.B. Yeats’ “O body swayed to music, O brightening glance, how can we know the dancer from the dance?” and W.H. Auden’s “In the prison of his days, teach the free man how to praise” help keep me grounded and inspired.
– Paul Cummins
Explore More Meaning
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self-leadership expert. seeker of meaningful quests. devoted mama.
Jac McNeil is a self-leadership expert for women entrepreneurs. Her work helps women unearth their own powerful truths and create thriving, integrity-based businesses. [www.jacmcneil.com]
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melody maker. musical poet. aspiring artist.
Mason Summit began performing and writing his own songs at an early age. Since then, he's played all over, including playing regularly at the Rapp Saloon in Santa Monica. He recently finished recording his first CD of original songs.
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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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sexpert. ecstasy extender. avid enjoyer.
Over the past 17 years, Erwan Davon has taught thousands of singles and couples how to have exceptional romantic relationships. He's the founder, president, and senior teacher of Erwan Davon Teachings. [www.erwandavon.com]
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high climber. responsible risker. philanthropist.
Alison Levine is a mountaineer, explorer, teacher, and founder of the Climb High Foundation, dedicated to improving the lives of African women by training them to be local guides and porters. [www.alisonlevine.com]
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learning expert. author. mental athlete.
Jim Kwik is the founder of Kwik Learning. He's taught memory improvement, speed-reading, and accelerated learning skills for almost two decades, to learners from more than 60 nations. [www.kwiklearning.com]
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innate wisdom follower. yes welcomer. aperture opener.
Barbara Patterson has a passion for accessing potential and understanding the drivers of transformation. She meets people every day who underestimate their power and potential. [barbarapatterson.com]
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personal relationship developer. life transformer. corporate wunderkind.
Keith Ferrazzi is an author, speaker, activist, and entrepreneur whose expertise in professional relationship development has transformed careers and lives worldwide. [www.keithferrazzi.com]
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