
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]

Arianna Huffington is the co-founder and Editor in Chief of the Huffington Post and the author of twelve books. [www.huffingtonpost.com]

Seth Godin is a prominent author, blogger and speaker. [www.squidoo.com/linchpin]

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]

Norman Lear has enjoyed a long career in television and film. He is also a political and social activist and philanthropist. [www.normanlear.com]

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]

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]

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]

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]

Liz Phair is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. [www.lizphair.com]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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
motherhood

Slowing down. Savoring and enjoying life. That’s what inspires me most these days. Recently I became a Mama Goddess and my family gives me so much love and meaning. There is something almost magical about becoming a Mother. Life changes in ways you could’ve never imagined.
Before I had my sweet baby boy, creativity was where I got most of my juice.
I still love to create, but I see the world differently now. My priorities are very different. Every day I live with the questions: What is really important and what really needs to get done? What can I let go of? How can I slow down and experience more pleasure in the mundane? What am I demonstrating right now for my child? And is this what I want to teach him?
Motherhood is fertile soil for transformation. It can be chaotic, beautiful, challenging, and inspiring. If we’re open to it, motherhood can transform life for the better. I feel like it’s a time to dig deep and let go of the things that no longer serve us. It’s a time to stop trying to do it right, be courageous, not give a crap what others think, and do it our way. To be unapologetic in expressing our authentic selves and all of our beauty, love, joy, and humanness.
Life is dynamic and we must flow with it. I try not to take it too seriously. If I find that I’m off, I breathe deeply, get out my journal and/or meditate, and reconnect to what is most important. I connect to my joy. I simplify. I take some time to be grateful for everything in my life. I breathe again. I do whatever I can to slow down and relax. When I keep it simple, do less, enjoy more, and have fun, I always feel in alignment and on purpose. It’s when I get impatient, fearful, or doubtful that meaning and pleasure seem to slip away.
We all get disconnected from time to time. It’s part of the creative process. We go for our desires, we ask deeper questions, we challenge our beliefs, and we cultivate the courage to change when needed.
Sometimes we just forget how awesome we are. No worries. Just keep coming back to your authentic self over and over and remember: This is your life to live as you choose. Live it! Be you fully with all your original flavor and style!
– Alexandra Jaye Johnson


Explore More Meaning
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17 cents dreamer. adversity ignorer. julie's daddy.
Daniel Milstein recently chronicled his rise from cleaning bathrooms while enduring hunger and relentless bullying to becoming the #1 loan officer in the U.S. and head of one of America's fastest-growing finance companies. [http://danmilstein.com/book/]
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fear whisperer. life coach. individuality embracer.
Kate Swoboda, a.k.a. Kate Courageous, is a life coach, speaker, and writer who helps clients lead unconventional and revolutionary lives by practicing courage. She created the Courageous Play and Create Stillness retreats. [www.yourcourageouslife.com]
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