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
do right
Ron McElroy
surfer. heritage explorer. puanani.
Ron McElroy is the CEO of Real Office Centers and the author of Wrong Side of the Tracks, a memoir about coming of age with a loving, hard-working mother's strong connections to her family's Hawaiian heritage. [www.realofficecenters.com]
I strive to make my life a beam of light to shine for others on the road to self-determination. I have spent countless years zig-zagging through life. I have not one ounce of regret having followed such a directionless map. From all of my hard lessons, I have gained unwavering confidence in what is truly right for me and what is damningly wrong. Constantly striving to do what is right is all one can expect. As long as one tries, that is what is important.
Commitment to do right comes in many forms. The first and somehow most important cause in my own life was to raise kids with a reliable map. A map that gave accurate directions with visible landmarks and clearly defined potential perils. With this map, I thought, my offspring would reserve so much genuine strength and resolve that when real challenges arose they would not have spent all their energy deliberating over where to go. A true map instills confidence that you are making the right decisions, you know the right way, and your conviction is proof enough should anyone dare question the path you have chosen.
This is what I have always wished for my kids. To know they fit in. To know their place in the world. To not be the least bit timid when chided or scoffed at by the innumerable naysayers they would surely and continually encounter throughout life’s many stages. Competent, confident and convicted to stand up for yourself, your family and your friends…this strength is something that has to be taught and demonstrated through early, mid, and even late growth years.
If somehow the maps I’ve discovered could assist others with poorly conceived maps or no map at all, then I will have been blessed with a reasonable purpose here on earth.
– Ron McElroy
Explore More Meaning
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artist. blogger. superfreak.
Leah Miller is an 18-year old unschooler following her dreams in LA, NY, Chicago, and Paris. Right now, her passion is the entertainment business and she is following that passion as far and as fast as she can. [leahmiller.typepad.com]
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culinary artist. gracious foodie. grapefruit huller.
Benjamin Atkinson launched The Dry Gourmet to re-make cooking wines. Along the way, he re-connected with food and grace. It is a journey he recommends for anyone. [www.drygourmet.com/the-story]
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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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daddy. faithful entrepreneur. life journey passenger.
Luke Schilling is an entrepreneur, designer, and inventor, and father of three. He is the founder of Schilling Interiors and co-founder of Everitt and Schilling Tile Co., producing tile out of reclaimed and repurposed materials. [www.eandstile.com]
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professor. empowerer. encouragement entrepreneur.
Marcia Alesan Dawkins is an intellectual entrepreneur from New York City. She has written two books, including Eminem: The Real Slim Shady, as well as articles for Huffington Post and Truthdig. [www.marciadawkins.com]
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writer. explorer. risk-taker.
Eric Hiss navigates the world in search of unexpected, entertaining, off-the-beaten-path stories. He's written about everything from spas to pop bands. Eric also co-founded wandermelon.com. [www.wandermelon.com]
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youth activist. spiritual traveller. non-judger.
Human Rights Award recipient Gwen Olsen is a passionate activist for children rights who has published numerous health-related articles exposing the inherent dangers of pharmaceuticals. [www.gwenolsen.com]
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director. supporter. kindness power plug.
Bill Cumming is Director of The Boothby Institute. He supports individuals, children, and teachers in schools; prisoners; and YMCA and corporate staff in discovering the power of loving-kindness. [www.theboothbyinstitute.org]
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