
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
authenticity

When I was pregnant with my third child, I was building my business, and I was very stressed. One night I came home from a busy day. My children were waiting for me, very excited about Mommy being home. All I wanted to do was rest. I felt that night as if I had nothing to give anymore. As we did our bedtime routine, I “lost it” with my children. At one point my daughter prayed to God, asking Him to bring more peace to our family and to make their Mommy happy.
That was a turning point in my life. I went to my room and cried, fell on my knees and asked God for guidance. As I went to bed that night, I swore to myself that I would make a change. I found the answers to my prayers. I heard clearly inside of me that it was time to make some changes and to take my learnings as a Mom into the world. Sharing with mothers all over what to do and what to avoid in service to a more fulfilling and harmonious family life. After all, we mothers are the heart of the family.
I have learned that we can change the negative routines we get into. We all have inner strengths, which are much greater than our outer challenges. They are innately given to us by God to transform.
These challenges lead us to ask ourselves, what would I do if fear or resistance did not exist in my life. What is the song inside of me that wants to be heard? What would it take for me to remove my perceived limitations? Through these questions we can experience an “aha” moment or have an epiphany. We can awaken our heart and our heart’s song. This helps us to move to a harmonious and authentic place in our lives.
Now I remind myself of that night when my little girl prayed to God. This memory is like an anchor in my mother-heart. It is my “why” to share my learnings and express my authentic voice. I have a song inside of me that wants to be shared.
– Barbara Bassill
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