Jack Canfield 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

 

failure

Cheryl Bigus Cheryl Bigus truth seeker. voice attendant. nurturing teacher.

Cheryl Bigus works with women who've neglected their well-being. She helps women regain vitality and hotness in their lives without punishing themselves through diets of deprivation or extreme workouts. [www.naturalvore.com]

Women give and nurture, so much so that we often lose ourselves. I came dangerously close to that serious loss. I always took care of everyone, putting others’ needs ahead of my own. During a personal crisis, I lost trust in someone through a heartbreaking betrayal. I paused then, and for the first time stopped nurturing outward and started nurturing inward. In deference to others, I’d failed by stifling my own voice. I hadn’t been asking for what I needed to thrive. But if I don’t care for myself, I can’t care for others in a meaningful way.

Failure is good. Failure sparks ingenuity, spiritual awakening, survival, inner strength, and rebirth. Without failure, we tend to get lazy, never reassessing the patterns we live by or the rules that guide our actions.

I allowed my perceived failures to bury me and what I have to offer the world. I let others’ opinions hold me back from my truth. Sometimes, listening and speaking our truth doesn’t go over well with others. It can upset the status quo. My truth may be contrary, quirky, opinionated, outside the box … but it’s mine. My truth and your truth don’t have to be the same. How boring would that be?

I teach women to stop and listen to their inner voice, the intuitive whisper or scream from inside. It’s the key to true freedom. If ignored, that inner voice will fester and manifest in negative ways. If spoken and lived, we’re set free.

Now I look at my path with pride. I own it. I’m guided by what I want and where I want to go. Failure is still here, and I still visit it, hopefully with courage and humility. I’m learning to befriend failure because unimaginable gifts come from it and from letting go, from stepping out of comfort and into the unfamiliar.

I love stories about people’s successes, because when we look closely at them we see that successes always follow failures. Failure in itself is success, because it means we’ve put effort out into the Universe. The Universe will give us what we need in the moment, even if it’s failing a few times in order to get to our success.

I fail. A lot. But now I try to ask questions instead of shaming, blaming, or beating myself up. I ask myself what the experience of each failure has to teach me. What did I learn?

Cheryl Bigus

Comments

Explore More Meaning

  • Kelly Lewis
    Kelly Lewis Kelly Lewis inner discoverer. gentle challenger. growth inspirer.

    Co-creator of The Bounce Collective, Kelly Lewis inspires her clients to ask their own questions and find their own answers, developing a more compassionate understanding of themselves, others, and the world they impact. [www.wecanbounce.com]

     
  • Keith Ferrazzi
    Keith Ferrazzi Keith Ferrazzi personal relationship developer. life transformer. corporate wunderkind.

    Keith Ferrazzi is an author, speaker, activist, and entrepreneur whose expertise in professional relationship development has transformed careers and lives worldwide. [www.keithferrazzi.com]

     
  • Tara Igoe
    Tara Igoe 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]

     
  • George Meeker
    George Meeker George Meeker filmmaker. connection cultivator. creative architect.

    George Meeker pursues his passion by cultivating deeper connections between humans through filmmaking, which he considers the most influential art form of the 21st Century. [www.interrogate.com]

     
  • Brooke Burke and Lisa Rosenblatt
    Brooke Burke and Lisa Rosenblatt 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]

     
  • Brian Hilliard
    Brian Hilliard Brian Hilliard avid meditator. awareness expander. soulmate.

    Brian Hilliard has developed, managed, and invested in commercial real estate, telecommunications, publishing, and entertainment. Currently, his primary focus is on humanitarian projects and assisting non-profits with fundraising and hands-on participation.

     
  • Jennifer Pastiloff
    Jennifer Pastiloff Jennifer Pastiloff inspiration seeker. laughing yogini. true listener.

    Jennifer Pastiloff is a lover of life, laughter, poetry, yoga, and a really good glass of wine. She created Manifestation Yoga, which is all about causing serious breakthroughs in life without being too serious. [www.manifestationyoga.com]

     
  • Mudimo and Jane Okondo
    Mudimo and Jane Okondo Mudimo and Jane Okondo therapists. body developers. naked communicators.

    Mudimo and Jane Okondo have been exploring well-being for over 20 years and are passionate about supporting people and communities, using a diverse toolkit that includes somatic and psychotherapeutic therapies, coaching, and creativity. [www.okwellbeing.com]

     
  • More

Contributors

  • Wallace J. Nichols
    Wallace J. Nichols Wallace J. Nichols ocean lover. conservation advocate. thoughtful dad.

    Dr. Wallace J. Nichols is a scientist, ocean advocate, writer, and dad. He knows that what moves us is connecting with something bigger than ourselves. His most recent endeavor is the Billion Baby Turtle Project. [www.wallacejnichols.org]

     
  • Cynthia Kersey
    Cynthia Kersey Cynthia Kersey author. humanitarian. speaker.

    Cynthia Kersey is the author of best-selling books and is the Chief Humanitarian Officer of the Unstoppable Foundation. [www.unstoppablefoundation.org]

     
  • Marcello Arrambide
    Marcello Arrambide Marcello Arrambide traveler. day trader. wandering adventurer.

    Marcello Arrambide is a day trader turned traveler who's currently exploring the world. [http://wanderingtrader.com]

     
  • Carol Miller
    Carol Miller Carol Miller positivity amplifier. gift uncoverer. best self chooser.

    Carol Miller, a Positivity Catalyst, Positive Focus Founder and Vision Keeper, empowers people to live life with passion and purpose through positive thought leadership and reframing skills. [www.allthingspositivity.com]

     
  • Mike Meeker
    Mike Meeker Mike Meeker musician. dad. digital renaissance man.

    Mike Meeker is a father, musician, yogi, surfer, and digital renaissance man. His mission is to inspire his audience as he finds creative ways to affect the quality of the day. [www.mikemeeker.com]

     
  • Maurina Scott
    Maurina Scott Maurina Scott military daughter. spontaneous adventurer. student of life.

    College freshman Maurina Scott is the daughter of an active duty military member. She has moved frequently, lived overseas, and embraced a life of exploration. Her dad recently returned from a seven-month deployment in Afghanistan. [www.twitter.com/Maurina_Scott]

     
  • Sonia Choquette
    Sonia Choquette Sonia Choquette Author. Teacher. Intuitive.

    Sonia Choquette - spiritual teacher, intuitive guide, and bestselling author - has a powerful ability to instantly liberate people from limitations and fears into a far more effective, spirit-guided life. [www.trustyourvibes.com]

     
  • Michael Bailey
    Michael Bailey Michael Bailey apparel supplier. postive impactor. goal acheiver.

    Michael Bailey is the founder of One Stone Apparel, a clothing company that uses clothing as a means to accomplish greater objectives. [www.onestoneapparel.com]

     
  • Gwyneth Jones
    Gwyneth Jones Gwyneth Jones should exterminator. goal pusher. honesty pioneer.

    Through Skype-based life coaching, Gwyneth Jones helps people get in touch with their true selves, find out what's holding them back, turn limiting beliefs around, and achieve their goals. [www.makelifemagic.blogspot.com]

     
  • Pete Carroll
    Pete Carroll Pete Carroll seahawk leader. sporty spirit. fun seeker.

    Pete Carroll is the head coach of the Seattle Seahawks and inspired Winforever, a system of success for those who compete to maximize their potential in sports, entertainment, philanthropy, business, and life. [www.winforever.com]

     
  • Pamela Beere Briggs
    Pamela Beere Briggs Pamela Beere Briggs innovative home schooler. lifelong learner. possibility seeker.

    Pamela Beere Briggs is a filmmaker, writer, and the mother of a happy teen. Her passions include good food, engaging books, and re-thinking the wisdom of middle school. [www.TwointheMiddle.com]

     
  • Ron and Mary Hulnick
    Ron and Mary Hulnick Ron and Mary Hulnick university founders. innovators. spiritual pioneers.

    Dr. H. Ronald Hulnick and Dr. Mary R. Hulnick are, respectively, President and Chief Academic Officer of the University of Santa Monica. They are pioneers and innovators in the field of Spiritual Psychology. [www.universityofsantamonica.edu]

     
  • Bassam Tarazi
    Bassam Tarazi Bassam Tarazi omnibuilder. nomad. inspirationalist.

    Bassam Tarazi is the Director of Operations of Omnibuild and a co-founder of Nomading Film Festival. He has recently launched Colipera, which focuses on collective inspiration and personal accountability. [www.colipera.com]

     
  • Gabrielle Bernstein
    Gabrielle Bernstein Gabrielle Bernstein life coach. motivational speaker. glass half-fullist.

    Gabrielle Bernstein is a motivational speaker, life coach, and author. In 2008, she launched the social networking site HerFuture.com to help young women find mentors. [http://gabbyb.tv]

     
  • Andy Lipkis
    Andy Lipkis Andy Lipkis environmental healer. practical visionary.

    Andy Lipkis is the founder and president of TreePeople. [www.treepeople.org]

     
  • Claire Zammit
    Claire Zammit Claire Zammit educator. co-leader. consciousness evolver.

    Transformative educator, speaker, and writer Claire Zammit co-created The New Feminine Power courses and co-leads a thriving community of thousands of women throughout the world. [www.FemininePower.com]

     
  • Richard Wurman
    Richard Wurman Richard Wurman ted inventor. smithonian awardee. brilliant quester.

    Richard Wurman, creator of the TED conferences, wrote over 80 books on subjects he had difficulty understanding. His books come from his desire to know, rather than from already knowing. [www.TED.com]

     
  • Leslie Carr
    Leslie Carr Leslie Carr self explorer. non-judger. surface scratcher.

    Dr. Leslie Carr is a psychologist who is reluctant to give advice, preferring instead to help people figure out their best course of action – no judgement allowed. [www.lesliecarr.com]

     
  • Alison Levine
    Alison Levine Alison Levine high climber. responsible risker. philanthropist.

    Alison Levine is a mountaineer, explorer, teacher, and founder of the Climb High Foundation, dedicated to improving the lives of African women by training them to be local guides and porters. [www.alisonlevine.com]

     
  • Nikki DiVirgilio
    Nikki DiVirgilio Nikki DiVirgilio writer. mom. soul reporter.

    Nikki Di Virgilio is a writer, mom, and wife who's interested in the soul-exploring journey we're all on. She's working on a memoir of her search for home. [www.nikkisacredspace.com]

     
  • Lilou Mace
    Lilou Mace Lilou Mace juicy liver. youtube star. battle vanquisher.

    Lilou Mace is an author and WebTV Host. Her videos about living and loving with an open heart have garnered over 19 million views on Youtube. [www.liloumace.com]

     
  • William Ury
    William Ury William Ury peace groupie. mediator. life surfer.

    One of the world's best known mediators, William Ury co-founded the Harvard Negotiation Project and has co-authored global bestsellers about negotiation and peacemaking. [www.williamury.com]

     
  • Sharyn Wynters
    Sharyn Wynters Sharyn Wynters worldly healer. nutrition advocate. gifted gardener.

    Sharyn Wynters is a naturopath who spends her time deciphering the fears that other doctors have put into people's heads. She's the author of three books in the fields of health and wellness. [www.wyntersway.com]

     
  • Sandeep Sood
    Sandeep Sood Sandeep Sood software developer. lead writer. badmasher.

    Sandeep Sood is co-founder and lead writer for badmash.tv, an animation studio based in Berkeley, California, and Pune, India. He's also the founder of Monsoon Company, a software development firm. [www.monsoonco.com]

     
  • BJ Panda Bear
    BJ Panda Bear BJ Panda Bear emoter. now chaser. crisis averter.

    BJ Panda Bear is the natural blonde bombshell with the heart of gold entertaining through DJing, hosting events, and producing visual and audio works that shines light on the ups and downs of futurity. [www.BJPandaBear.com]

     
  • Gerda Weissman Klein and Alysa Ullman
    Gerda Weissman Klein and Alysa Ullman Gerda Weissman Klein and Alysa Ullman authors. citizens. peacemakers.

    Gerda Weissman Klein and Alysa Ullman co-founded Citizenship Counts to promote the importance of multigenerational citizen programs. Alysa is an author and the Executive Director of Citizenship Counts. Gerda is an author, Academy Award winner, Holocaust survivor, and human rights activist. [www.citizenshipcounts.org]

     
  • P. Frank Williams
    P. Frank Williams P. Frank Williams people watcher. public connector. everyday life inhaler.

    P. Frank Williams has won Emmy and Image awards. He produces entertaining and inspirational TV, film, and web content, including the BET Awards, NAACP Image Awards, and a music bio series. [www.prophetfromit.com]

     
  • Regina Leeds
    Regina Leeds Regina Leeds zen organizer. author. inward seer.

    Author, speaker, and zen organizer Regina Leeds brings order to home and work environments across the U.S. Her clientele runs the gamut from movie stars to business people and housewives. [www.reginaleeds.com]

     
  • Jason Binn
    Jason Binn Jason Binn chairman. media mogul. nicher.

    Jason Binn is the Founder and Chairman of Niche Media, one of the largest networks of exclusive, city-specific custom publishing companies in the country. [www.nichemediallc.com]

     
  • More

Connection


© 2010-2023 lifebyme.com. All rights reserved. (design by nodethirtythree)