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
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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author. columnist. creative strategist.
Ayn Carrillo Gailey is a published author and creative strategist who uses words to power ideas, companies, and movements. www.ayngailey.com
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clean water champion. pro surfer. global changer.
Jon Rose founded the non-profit organization Waves for Water, which works with world leaders and strategic partners to provide clean water to communities in need around the world. www.wavesforwater.org
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author. speaker. goddess.
Author and speaker Agapi Stassinopoulos lectures and conducts seminars worldwide, empowering men and women to become more connected to their individual gifts. www.thesevengoddesses.com
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balancer. humanity embracer. women protector.
Buddhist Monk Lama Tenzin founded Children’s Education and Development International, providing homes, education, and health care for destitute Himalayan children.
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Author. Speaker. Professional Thinker.
Mary Jane Ryan is one of the creators of the bestselling Random Acts of Kindness series. She specializes in coaching high-performance entrepreneurs and leadership teams around the world. www.mj-ryan.com
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entrepreneur. coach. congruency connoisseur.
Scott Dinsmore is an entrepreneur and coach who helps people discover passion and purpose through his coaching company, Live Your Legend, and his investment partnership, Cumbre Capital Partners. http://liveyourlegend.net
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intuitive. writer. journey sharer.
Danielle is a writer, coach, and intuitive who simply must share her journey with honesty, love, and beautiful words. She’s married to her best friend and has two delicious children. http://danielleboonstra.com
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brothers. entrepreneurs. healthy philanthropists.
Brothers Jeff and Jason Baietto founded Complete Balance, an online community of individuals dedicated to improving their own health and the health of the planet. www.completebalance.com
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