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
grace
Tara Igoe
communications expert. comedian. cool chick.
Tara Igoe is a communications expert, comedian, and speaker who loves to share her insights and experience to help others. www.taraigoe.blogspot.com
I’ve always felt my life to be guided by a benevolent energy that protects me and wants me to succeed. I call it Grace. Grace comes to me in the form of signs – people, songs, “coincidental” happenings – that remind me to have faith, even in the darkest of times.
I went looking for signs of Grace after my father died. I was devastated by the loss and hoped with all my heart that from wherever my father was, he could still see me, that we were still somehow connected. I yearned for a clear sign that would prove this to be true.
To channel my grief into something good, I started working as a volunteer to lend moral support to hospital patients and was assigned a patient at a nursing home near where I live in Los Angeles. The patient was asleep when I arrived, so I waited in the lobby. I spotted two elderly residents of the home sitting and talking. One of them stood out – full make-up, brightly colored blouse and skirt, and lots of jewelry. She emitted the most cheerful energy, which immediately drew me in. I went over to say hello.
“Hi, honey. How ah ya? I’m Gertrude,” she said in a thick Massachusetts accent. I told her I’m originally from Massachusetts and named my hometown. She said, “Honey, my cousin’s the doctor in that town.” Her cousin grew up with my father, was our family’s doctor, and delivered me and my siblings. Now, 3,000 miles from home, here was his cousin, Gertrude Grace Leventhal. Yes, her name is Grace. This was quite literally the sign I’d asked for, courtesy of my father and the Universe.
Gert and I have become great friends. She’s my teacher in so many ways. When she charms people with her bright outfits and brighter personality, it encourages me to shine. When she asks for what she needs boldly and without apology, it strengthens my voice. And when, in the midst of cancer treatment, she asks me to paint her nails pink, I’m reminded that we always have a choice in how we face the day.
Before my father’s death, I was an expert at running from my feelings out of fear. But my love for my dad was stronger than my fear, so I made a different choice about what to do with my grief. I transformed my pain, giving it to the world as love and service. As a result, I found Grace.
Fear blocks Grace. Love lets Grace flow. I get it now.
Thanks dad. Love, Tara
- Tara Igoe
Explore More Meaning
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counselor. healer. sparkler.
Counselor, intuitive, and healer Jo Anna Rothman assists people in releasing the blocks that hold them back from consciously creating and receiving all they desire. www.BigSparklyLife.com
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writer. book editor. daddy.
Danny Miller is a writer and book editor. He’s a contributor to the Huffington Post and regularly writes in his own blog, “Jew Eat Yet?” http://dannymiller.typepad.com.
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business expert. arbiter of style. smarty pants.
Small business expert Amy Swift has helped launch thousands of businesses and ideas. She founded Smarty to give entrepreneurs authentic space to partner and grow. www.smartypeople.com
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yoga instructor. canine comrade. moviemaker.
Edward Vilga is an internationally known yoga instructor and author who has had six books published (many of which involve yoga) and written and directed two feature films. www.EdwardVilga.com
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feminine spiritualist. storyteller. illuminator.
Chameli Ardaugh is a speaker, author, practitioner, teacher, and leading pioneer of feminine awakening and empowerment. She founded The Awakening Women Institute. www.awakeningwomen.com
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public intellectual. social activist. provocative spiritual artist.
Center for World Spirituality co-founder Marc Gafni is a gentle and provocative spiritual artist and teacher, public intellectual, bestselling author, television personality, social activist and lover of people. www.ievolve.org
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practitioner. teacher. constellationista.
Teacher, practitioner, and family constellation facilitator Leah Matalon has practiced Process Acupressure, Craniosacral Therapy, SomatoEmotional Release, and Lymph Drainage Therapy for over 25 years. www.leahmatalon.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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