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
live now
Ruth Grodek
team builder. motivator. creator.
Ruth Grodek founded Creation, a company that coaches senior management teams and individual leaders to be authentic, powerful, inspiring, and compassionate. [www.creation-uk.com]
It’s simple really – when I remember to live HERE NOW, I am peaceful.
My dogs remind me of this – they don’t dwell in past or future. They don’t remember whether I’ve been away a minute or a week. They live in this moment – happy to see me, accepting me exactly as I am – NOW.
When I walk with my dogs, I learn to be fully present – alert to tiny signals: a small frown, head a little up, ears slightly cocked, nose twitching, sniffing … maybe something to chase? I then have the opportunity to give a gentle correction and return us to a relaxed pace, moving easily and rhythmically in the direction of my choice.
My dogs are three beautiful, powerful Rhodesian Ridgebacks. If I allow them to follow a primal instinct at full throttle, they’re strong enough to pull me off my feet and drag me along the ground while I hang on to the other end of the leads. There’s trouble when I’m not in charge. I prefer to notice baby cues and make corrections early. The dogs prefer this, too.
If I drift into daydream, worry, memory, or future fantasy – anything that is not NOW – I miss the small signals and that results in much bigger issues for me to deal with, like a scuffle with another dog or a bolt towards a rabbit or even a human being who, in my dog’s eyes, may be dangerous to me. With a balanced, focused leader, the dogs are happy and calm. They like clear direction and a vision to move towards, just like I do. You probably like that, too.
Living with my dogs is a master class in practicing the power of creating in the present, moment by moment. The feedback is instantaneous. I know immediately whether the message I send out is clear – or not! This helps me master my “inner pack” of distractions, concerns, doubts, fears, addictions, and preoccupations, which can take me off track – and to respond to them early. When I notice the small signs early, I gently and easily re-direct.
My “inner pack” needs a compassionate authority, one who understands the frailties and limited intelligence of my human condition; one who recognises and responds to the tiny shifts in my energy as soon as they happen; one who embraces, forgives, and educates lovingly; one who provides a positive vision and who chooses wisely (and ruthlessly); one who is unafraid to stand up and speak truth; and, especially, one who is forgetful of the past, who steps fully into each new HERE and NOW.
– Ruth Grodek
Explore More Meaning
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friends alumna. folk singer. harmonic connector.
Maggie Wheeler is a mother, actress, voice-over artist, and co-director of the Golden Bridge Community Choir. Through her vocal workshop, Singing In The Stream, she invites people to step into to the joy of singing in community. [www.maggiewheeler.net]
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journalist. advocate. godfather of slow.
Journalist Carl Honoré has written for The Economist, The Observer, and National Post, but he is best known for his advocacy of the Slow Movement. [www.carlhonore.com]
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actress. author. re-creation guide.
Dee Wallace has worked as an author, teacher, and actress (she played the mother in the film E.T.) in film, television, and stage for over 30 years while being devoted to the art of self-healing and to her daughter. [www.iamdeewallace.com]
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singer. songwriter. sonic pioneer.
During nearly four decades as a singer-songwriter, Kenny Loggins has established himself as many things to many music lovers, with his enduring hit songs and genre-defining children's albums. [www.kennyloggins.com]
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body healer. fear overcomer. joy indulger.
Mary Beth LaRue is a yoga instructor and writer whose mission is to inspire others to live their best life, and to fully inhabit, enjoy, and heal their bodies and minds through yoga and intention-setting. [www.mblarue.com]
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artist. designer. heart threader.
Artist, designer, and manufacturer Scott Wilson is the founder and CEO of HeartThreads, a clothing line designed to inspire from the inside out. [http://heartthreadsclothing.com]
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jewelry artist. yogini. goddess.
Author, teacher, jewelry artist, and Yogini Laura Amazzone teaches goddess classes and workshops and is adjunct faculty at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. [www.lauraamazzone.com]
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Songwriter. Painter. Dreamer.
Songwriter, novelist, and painter Pol Serge Kakon was born in Mogador (now Essaouira). He founded The Drunken Boat, in Paris, which became a mecca for poetry and song. [www.polsergekakon.com]
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