
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
intuition

When I let it, my intuition guides me to loving and remarkable things. I like to think of intuition as the voice of love that only wants to guide us to who we really are. In every moment, we have two choices: love and fear. It’s not a conscious choice every time, but it’s there. Fear would keep me small, desperate, and clinging to what I think I should want, while love allows me to be me. I believe my intuition wants me to be the greatest version of myself.
One of the turning points in my life came about two years ago. Faced with having to return to work after maternity leave with my second child, I had a gut feeling that I wasn’t meant to go back. It was a good job, but my intuition was on high alert: This isn’t right. You need to stay home. My mind raced. Wouldn’t that be a cop-out? Am I lazy and selfish to listen to this? Am I just trying to rationalize wanting to spend time with my children? What about money?
Eventually, my intuition became too painful to ignore. Even though my husband had huge reservations, we decided I would stay home and take care of the children. I was relieved and excited. Acting on my intuition was like having a risk rush. I was unsure how we’d make it work, but I also had a feeling that there was more at play than financial issues. I needed to heal. What has followed in the nearly two years since then has been miraculous.
I’ve discovered I can write and write well. I’m finally healing after suffering with bulimia for 15 years. I pray and meditate daily. I’ve become calmer, more peaceful and open. I’m a better wife, mother, and friend. Listening to my intuition in such a big way has opened me up to trusting on a whole new level. I sense things. I read people’s emotions and am overcome with compassion. I’ve been able to communicate with those who have passed on and have felt their loving guidance.
I see now that any time I’ve experienced pain it’s been because I haven’t listened to my intuition. Life is loud. It can be difficult at times to hear that voice of love, but I urge you to try. Be willing. Let your intuition guide you and carry you. Let yourself live by love. Ease yourself into the truth of who you are. Relax into your own greatness.
– Danielle Boonstra


Explore More Meaning
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actress. book dweller. literature cheerleader.
Lauren is the Founder and Program Director of Reading Opens Minds (ROM), an organization that brings the Book Club experience across Los Angeles. A graduate of Juilliard, Lauren has appeared on numerous stages and television shows. [www.ReadingOpensMinds.org]
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