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
blowtorch
Sarah Seidelmann
life coach. physician. light source.
Author and life coach Sarah Seidelmann, MD, is a Board-Certified physician who left her practice to live out her destiny. In her work, she loves to ask, “How good are you willing to let it get?” http://whatthewalrusknows.com
At the age of 19 I was diagnosed with malignant melanoma. It dawned on me that if I might die very soon I should definitely enjoy what was left of my life. It was a lucky break. I realized that life was meant for living. The timing could not have been more perfect.
I extracted myself from the pre-med madness of the college library and re-focused on people again: being with people, socializing, connecting, goofing off, and playing. It was a wondrous time.
When I entered medical school, my new way of living was challenged. But something inside had shifted. I knew on an atomic level that it was my purpose to live my life like a torch, burning brightly.
I managed to go through medical school and residency without too much of my light being snuffed out. Slowly, as my own family grew (to include four amazing children) and as my practice grew, I became disconnected again. My life became complicated and I became less illuminated.
Having had one fortuitous shift at 19, I was able to catch myself at 43, take a sabbatical, and realign my focus. Now, after much internal seeking, I’m back to living my life as a torch. In fact, my torchlight feels stronger and brighter than ever before. Some days, I even feel like a blowtorch.
In my daily experience, I see a lot of people seeking light. Some are starving for it. But thinking we lack light is an illusion. We can always choose light. Connection. Hugs. A call to a friend. Music. Petting a dog. We’re all potential blowtorches. That potential is not only in some of us – it’s in everyone.
One of the fastest ways to recharge my blowtorch and feel connected is by spending time in nature. While it might appear that I’m alone there, I’m actually in the wonderful company of stars, squirrels, trees, Great Lakes, and much more – all rippling and swelling together.
I’m moving toward a place of even greater ease, of burning courageously as that blowtorch, moving along my path, doing what I came here to do. This next internal shift might just look like spectacular northern lights – strange, wondrous, and magical.
- Sarah Seidelmann
Explore More Meaning
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lifestyle coach. psychotherapist. balancer.
Stacy Kaiser is a psychotherapist, lifestyle coach, author, and media personality with a reputation for bringing thoughtful and provocative insights to a wide range of topics. www.stacykaiser.com
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musician. activist. artistic mentor.
John March is a musician, teacher, producer, writer, activist, Buddhist facilitator in training, and single dad. He mentors artists and develops modern rites of passage for fathers and sons. www.zenguitarguy.com
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education advocate. author. innovator.
Author Lisa Nielsen is an outspoken advocate of learning innovatively. She works to help schools and districts educate in real and innovative ways that prepare students for success. http://theinnovativeeducator.blogspot.com
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painter. philanthropist. wonder enthusiast.
Chaz Guest creates inspiring paintings, drawings, and sculptures. Over the past 20 years his work has been acquired by a growing number of private and public collectors, including U.S. President Barack Obama. www.chazguest.com
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Writer. Linguist. Belly Laugher.
Sarah Samuel lives in a mouse-infested apartment in New York City with three best friends. She likes to draw comics, write, and talk about linguistics. Whatever the future has in store, she hopes it includes an exterminator.
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silent protesters. photographers. NOH8ers.
Celebrity photographer Adam Bouska and his partner Jeff Parshley founded the NOH8 Campaign, a photographic silent protest in direct response to the passage of Proposition 8 in California. www.noh8campaign.com
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etsy seller education manager. artist support system. independent motivator.
Danielle Maveal, Etsy’s Seller Education Manager, works to help artists, crafters, and makers make a creative living selling their work. Her focus is to encourage, motivate, and educate. www.etsy.com
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event producer. interior designer. ambiance maker.
Shay Watson is the founder of Aesthetica Events, which designs and produces events all over the world. His acute aesthetic sense has also led him into the world of home design and décor. www.aestheticaevents.com
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