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
family
Yvonne Mariko Martin
matriarch. compromise advocate. wise daughter.
Yvonne Mariko Martin is an accomplished educator in the field of adult education and special needs. She advocates for and gives voice to those who have yet to learn to speak for themselves.
My family has our ups and downs, but we stay connected. We support each other. If there were more connection and support among families all over the world maybe we’d have less conflict. Maybe we’d try to understand each other more and compromise instead of wanting to have our way all the time. Compromise is not defeat. Compromise is both sides giving in a little to have something good you can both live with.
Holding my family dear, being engaged and involved with my family is a tradition my mother passed on to me and I’ll pass on to my children. My mother moved in with me ten years ago, after my father died. She was rather healthy for a 73- year-old, but has gradually become more disabled. She has a rare form of muscle deterioration. I see her transforming, and I see extreme bravery and courage in the face of her rare disease.
I can’t recall one particular incident where I’ve witnessed my mother’s bravery. It’s a progression over time. It’s in the constancy of her emotions. Sure, there are times when she feels depressed or angry, but I see so much more of the positive stuff, of determination and not giving up. It’s pretty inspiring to see that every day.
Of course, I have tough days, too. Everyone does. I do the best I can in those situations. To get through, I write in my journal and reflect on what I’ve done during the day and how I’ve affected people.
First, I write down what I received on this particular day. Maybe it was a “Hi” or a hug or a handshake. It could be good or bad. Then I write down what I gave. Hopefully, it’s something good. Maybe it was a smile, or a pat on the back, or sharing a laugh with someone. Then I write down what trouble I caused. Did I make someone angry? Maybe I had a fight with my mom or said something I regret to a friend or co-worker. Writing those things down makes me aware. Finally, I write down what I’m grateful for. It’s usually the same things: my family, my job, my home, my cat, my friends. I’m grateful that I’m grateful.
Keeping track of such things is like self-therapy. I do it at night, going through my whole day. It’s a way of boosting myself, of making me feel like I’m an okay person. I always feel that there’s room for improvement, but I also see how nice today was.
– Yvonne Mariko Martin
Your Turn
Explore More Meaning
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spiritual alarm clock. soul purpose hunter. visionary.
Sahra Renata is a mystic, artist, writer and poet, with an M.A in spiritual Philosophy and a Ph.D in metaphysics. Sahra has taught advanced metaphysics and mastery of the healing arts throughout Europe, the U.S., Australia and Mexico. [www.bookofsahra.com]
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writer. actor. life enthusiast.
Matt Schweppe is an enthusiast of life. He writes, coaches, and acts. He founded Taking-A-Stand and he co-founded The Authentic Family Experience and The Inspired Leadership Institute. [www.mattschweppe.com]
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poet. editor. observer.
Pearl Adler Saban says, "I'm not a writer. I simply write." She shares her life in Toronto, Canada, with her husband, three children, and a dog. When not writing, she does freelance editing. [wwwpearliesofwisdom.blogspot.com]
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architectural designer. philanthropist. soul spacer.
Xorin Balbes is an author, philanthropist, and an award-winning architectural conservator and designer. He founded and co-owns the interior and architectural design firm TempleHome. [www.SoulSpaceHome.com]
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technology reductionist. jungle adventurer. nutrition connoisseur.
A catalyst for nourishment epiphanies, Tamara is a holistic nutrition coach and the inspiration behind the Tailwind Jungle Lodge & Yoga Retreat Center. She's passionate about guiding others on unique journeys of body and mind. [www.junglegirlhealth.com]
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awareness seeker. conscious music maker. helpful exaggerator.
Singer, songwriter, and producer Eric Lumiere is a Lover of Life and all things, and lives for the upliftment of consciousness everywhere. He is also graduate of Teen Insight. This piece is part of the Insight University and Life By Me week of giving back. [www.givingtuesday.org/insight-university]
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phd candidate. lecturer. flyer.
PhD candidate and lecturer Magdalena Gilewicz is currently training to be a certified transformative coach. She's also conquering her fear of heights by becoming a helicopter pilot. [www.maggiegilewicz.com]
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musician. producer. curious quester.
Max Lugavere is a co-founding host and producer of Al Gore's TV network. He's also a celebrity ambassador for Causecast.org, a singer-songwriter, and founder of the non-profit concert series Rockdrive. [http://twitter.com/#!/maxlugavere]
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