Jack Canfield 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]

Arianna Huffington

Arianna Huffington 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]

Seth Godin

Seth Godin author. speaker. linchpin.

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

Krishna Kaur

Krishna Kaur 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]

Norman Lear

Norman Lear 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]

Leilani Münter

Leilani Münter 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]

Kevin Bales

Kevin Bales 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]

Sophie Chiche

Sophie Chiche 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]

Mastin Kipp

Mastin Kipp 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]

Liz Phair

Liz Phair singer. musician. crier.

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

Desmond Tutu

Desmond Tutu 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]

Zainab Salbi

Zainab Salbi 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]

Sean Stephenson

Sean Stephenson 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]

Kia Miller

Kia Miller 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]

Simon Mainwaring

Simon Mainwaring 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]

Shannon Bindler

Shannon Bindler 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]

Mathieu Bitton

Mathieu Bitton 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]

Jorge Perez

Jorge Perez 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

self-love

Aly Scott stylist extraordinaire. growth seeker. light beamer.

Aly Scott is the founder of StyleChic, a global VIP shopping and styling company catering to all body types, lifestyles and budgets. She then launched JILRO, a clothing line breaking all sizes barriers. [www.stylechicla.com]

Throughout my life, I was told, “If you love yourself, everything will fall into place.” For years and years, my brain understood this to be true. Then my heart followed suit. Yet it still didn’t completely click.

I yearned for this concept of self-love to move through me, to my core, the way other awareness had. Finally, while working with a deeply connected soul healer, Kirstin, I understood.

Deep down in my soul, it clicked and began to form. Speaking from my truth, from my heart – I’m ok. I’m showing up for me. I love me. It’s a realization that gets more powerful each day. If I don’t have self-love, I have nothing.

In the past, I always felt a need to give, give, give, but I didn’t know how to receive. I thought I could help others while brushing my own needs aside. Now I realize that I’m part of the equation.

Balance is the key, and to balance the see-saw of life, I have to take care of me first. I have to give to myself, to my heart, to my confidence, and spirit.

Kirstin taught me that I’m the only version of me that will ever exist on this planet, and I am perfect as I am. I need to live, breathe, and exist from my heart. When I cherish and love that heart more than anything else in this world, everything else follows.

Just a few weeks ago, one of my teacher’s said, “Take that radiant light you project outward and put it back on yourself.” And I got it! To stay out of the darkness and give unconditionally, I have to light from within, and be my truth. For the better of everyone else, I must love myself in such a way that I come first.

When you feel off your path, sit with yourself and meditate, or take a walk and look at the beauty in nature. Breathe in deeply and come back to you.

Put your hands on your heart and feel your love, your truth, your radiant light. The light starts from you. The light is yours and only yours, a gift from the universe to you. Appreciate it. Inspire from it. Let it be your guide.

Love from the inside, out. To love yourself, just as you are, flaws included, is to be at peace.

– Aly Scott

Go Back

Your Turn

When was the last time you helped out a friend or family member?
Now when is the last time you let a friend or family member really help you?
When the opportunity arises, let someone help you. Pay attention to see if how it helps your relationship.

Comments

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Melissa Bradley grateful mom. connector. flexible traveler.
Melissa Bradley is the founder of Indagare, a member-based online community for sophisticated travelers, providing access to curated online archives, printed guides, and custom advisory and booking services. [www.indagare.com]
Terry Tillman mentor. adventurer. neural-linguist.
Terry Tillman's mission is to support and mentor people in producing results, discovering their value, and realizing their dreams. He's living proof that it is possible to do it all. [www.227company.com]
Leah Matalon 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]
Mathieu Bitton 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]
Abby Seixas psychotherapist. author. life balancer.
Abby Seixas is a psychotherapist, author, speaker, mother, calligrapher, gardener, life-long spiritual seeker, and work-in-progress. [www.deepriverwithin.com]
Mastin Kipp 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]
Jeannine Parker strategist. cultivator. interactive media pioneer.
Jeannine Parker founded Infinite Solutions Institute, to educate and advocate for solutions that already exist, and co-founded The Wealth Garden, a global collaborative platform for social entrepreneurs. [www.infinitesolutions.org]
Chip Conley hotelier. author. inner seer.
Bestselling author Chip Conley is the founder and executive chairman of Joie de Vivre, America's second largest boutique hotel company. He writes about his company's techniques and transformational leadership practices. [www.chipconley.com]
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Contributors

Dave Towe aquatic healer. youth encourager. fear slayer.
Professional life coach and visionary Dave Towe is the founder and executive director of Wave Academy. He's committed to serving wounded worriers those returning from war diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. [www.waveacademy.org]
Kim MacGregor author. speaker. flash mobber.
Kim MacGregor is a transformational leader, author, speaker, and the founder of the global movement "I Believe She's Amazing." [www.IBelieveShesAmazing.com]
Russell Bishop speaker. consultant. transformer.
Author Russell Bishop is a recognized expert in personal and organization transformation. He possesses an uncommon ability to inspire clarity and provoke transformational change. [www.russellbishop.com]
Kate Sullivan theatre doctor. awakener. soul searcher.
Kate Sullivan is the founder of Over the Moon Productions, whose first theatrical production, Rent, sold out. The company is enjoying a successful run of their current musical, Spring Awakening. [www.overthemoonproductions.virb.com]
Jonathan Parker author. spiritual transformer. teacher.
Jonathan Parker is an author and spiritual counselor with more than 30 years of experience teaching energy healing and enlightenment. He founded Quantum Quests International, Inc. [www.JonathanParker.org]
Julie Simon former dieter. current helper. self acceptance discoverer.
Julie M. Simon, MA, MBA, MFT is a psychotherapist, life coach, personal trainer, speaker and author of The Emotional Eater’s Repair Manual: A Practical Guide for Putting an End to Overeating and Dieting, based on her 12 Week Program. [www.overeatingrecovery.com]
Nicole Krugh loving sister. compassionate nurse. hopeful survivor.
Nicole Krugh is a devoted wife, mother, sister and nurse. She is the founder of a not for profit organization raising awareness on teenage depression and suicide. [www.taylordonnadio.com]
Geneen Roth kindness warrior. food demystifier. vitality spreader.
Geneen Roth wrote pioneering books that were among the first to link compulsive eating and perpetual dieting with deeply personal and spiritual issues that go far beyond food, weight, and body image. [www.geneenroth.com]
Janet Poole non-conformist. courageous author. extraordinary seeker.
Janet Poole is the award-winning author of How to Get Anything You Want Just Like That!, a book that dares people to live an extraordinary life that matters. [www.janetpoole.com]
Michael Meade master storyteller. mythology scholar. mosaicist.
Michael Meade is a master storyteller, a scholar of mythology, and an author. He founded the Mosaic Multicultural Foundation, a network of artists, teachers, and activists fostering community. [www.mosaicvoices.org]
Bevin Lynch Life Coach. Event Mastermind.
Bevin Lynch is a life coach and the creator of The Well-Being Expo, a multi-city event that offers tools and information people can use to enhance their own well-being. [www.bevinlynch.com]
Eric Leider trainer. leadership networker. dharma journeyer.
Eric Leider is a college senior studying economics at Occidental College and the founder of LeaderLife, a social media company that focuses on mind, body, and soul integration. [www.twitter.com/LeaderLife_1]
Jon Love + Satya Narayani dream awakeners. unifiers. evolvers.
Satya Narayani and Jon Love work with the Awakening the Dreamer Symposium of the Pachamama Alliance. They devote their lives to serving the greatest good by unifying home, community, their region, and the world. [www.pachamama.org]
Melissa Francis tv host. satisfied customer. car washin' smiler.
Melissa Francis, author of Diary of a Stage Mother's Daughter, hosts two daily business shows on the Fox Business Network, including Money with Melissa Francis. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from Harvard University. [www.melissafrancisofficial.com]
Don Miguel Ruiz author. nagual. wisdom sharer.
Combining new insights with old wisdom, don Miguel Ruiz has dedicated his life to sharing the ancient Toltec wisdom by translating it into practical concepts that promote transformation through truth and common sense. [www.miguelruiz.com]
Stephanie Parodi Singer. Musician. Soulful Songstress.
Stephanie Parodi is a gifted singer, songwriter, and musician who writes soulful music from the heart. She puts words to feelings that we can all relate to. [www.lifebeyondlimits.com]
Andrew Papageorge innovation guru. supportive dad. heart-filled husband.
Andrew Papageorge has built five businesses, one of which was sold to a Fortune 100 company. He has guided organizations of all sizes through thousands of innovations, and has written about personal transformation and business innovation. [www.gapzip.com]
Terri Schneider triathlete. limit breaker. authenticity chaser.
As an adventure racer, triathlete, ultrarunner, and mountaineer, Terri Schneider has raced and adventured in over 70 countries. She is the author of Triathlon Revolution: Training, Technique, and Inspiration. [www.terrischneider.com]
Kirsten Olson listener. describer. activist.
Author Kirsten Olson is Chief Listening Officer at Old Sow Consulting. She's a founding board member of IDEA, a national not-for-profit that forwards democratic practices in education. [www.kirstenolson.org]
Garret Kramer self-correcter. thought changer. inner explorer.
Garret Kramer is the author of Stillpower and the upcoming The Path of No Resistance. His inside-out paradigm for performance excellence has been featured in various magazines, newspapers, and television programs. [www.garretkramer.com]
Alexandra Solnado healer. author. receiver.
Alexandra Solnado's path as a spiritual healer began in a moment, when her daughter stopped breathing. Since then, she's channeled books, spiritual therapies, and meditations. [www.alexandrasolnado.net]
Madelin Adena Smith dream cartographer. promise keeper. sayer and doer.
Madelin Adena Smith is a novelist, creative shapeshifter, and strategic visionary. She specializes in helping ambitious young women build road maps around their wildest dreams. [www.madelinadenasmith.com]
Brooke Burke and Lisa Rosenblatt female empowerers. entrepreneurs. modern moms.
Lisa Rosenblatt and Brooke Burke are the CEOs of ModernMom.com, creating a community for the woman behind the mom. [www.modernmom.com]
Rich Litvin coach. adventurer. that confidence guy.
Rich Litvin is an expert in developing deep, inner, natural confidence. He founded The Confident Woman's Salon. [www.richlitvin.com]
Kent Nerburn story weaver. mystery buff. bull follower.
Author Kent Nerburn holds a PhD in religion and art. His most recent work completes a trilogy filled with spiritual and inspirational stories. His books have been Minnesota Book Award winners. [www.kentnerburn.com]
Deborah Lloyd design overseer. president and cco. solver.
As President and Chief Creative Officer for Kate Spade New York, Deborah Lloyd oversees all creative aspects of the Kate and Jack Spade brands, from design to public relations. [www.katespade.com]
Jorge Perez 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
Megan Maione tarot card reader. question asker. limit breaker.
Megan Maione works with clients on clearing points of view, judgments, projections, and conclusions utilizing tarot. Her goal is to identify their targets while helping them be in allowance of the way things show up and integrating intuition. [www.tarotbymegan.com]
Howard Martin vice president. dynamic speaker. ticker tracker.
As HeartMath's Executive Vice President, Strategic Development, Howard Martin has been instrumental in developing the business. He's delivered HeartMath's practical, dynamic programs to thousands of participants worldwide. [www.heartmath.org]
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