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

true power

Gary Zukav spiritual pioneer. author. authentic empowerer.

As a bestselling author and pioneer of the new spirituality, Gary Zukav's gentle presence, humor, and insightful wisdom have inspired millions to realize their soul's greatest potential. [www.seatofthesoul.com]

Contributing to the new humanity gives me meaning beyond anything I could have possibly imagined. I write books, do events, and create programs to teach about creating authentic power – aligning the personality with the soul so we can transform ourselves with our own wills instead of trying to change others.

I’m filled with meaning when I’m giving a gift to Life. Sometimes, when a chapter I’m writing comes to an end or when I reread a chapter I’ve written, I cry without being able to stop because I’m so grateful to be allowed to write these words and share these thoughts.

I’m filled with meaning when I see that only I can change myself for the better, through my own awareness and my own will, and no one else can change my life for me.

I’m filled with meaning when I see how much people suffer, including me, when we need to change others in order to feel worthy and safe, and how futile that is.

I’m especially filled with meaning when I see a part of my personality inside me that I need to change in order to feel safe and worthy, and I strive to change that instead of changing other people. I know I’m changing the world in a permanent, irrevocable way when I do this. I challenge my own anger, greed, jealousy, superiority, inferiority, and need to please instead of judging others when I see those things in them, and I cultivate my own patience, gratitude, contentment, and caring when I recognize those things in myself rather than thinking that only others can give them to me.

I’m filled with meaning when I have the courage and skill to feel the painful physical sensations in my body that lie beneath my need to become angry or jealous, to compete, impress people, overeat, etc., and I choose differently than I have in the past while I am feeling that painful feeling. That is really meaningful to me.

My life is filled with meaning when I see that I’m contributing the most I can to the new humanity by recognizing that every choice I make is very important because the full force of my creative power is behind it, whether or not I recognize it … and I strive to recognize it in every moment.

– Gary Zukav

Go Back

Your Turn

Is there a current situation where you feel weak or powerless?
When do you feel aligned with your authentic power?
How can you bring some of that feeling to your current situation?

Comments

Explore More Meaning

Alexis Shepperd Life Coach. Authentic Relationship Builder.
Alexis Shepperd, Ph.D., is a life coach and co-founder of the Authentic Woman Experience, dedicated to passionate romantic relationships, sisterhood, and every woman's birthright to adore her life. [www.authenticwomanexperience.com]
Scott Sandler father. papa. daddy.
After enduring an incredible tragedy, architectural photographer Scott Sandler started Rachel's Registry to help cancer patients more easily find current and pertinent clinical trials. [www.rachelsregistry.com]
Mary Morrissey Author. Speaker. Empowerer.
Best-selling author Mary Morrissey has been a consultant for over 30 years. Her transformational talks and seminars have made her one of the world's leading teachers in the human potential movement. [www.marymorrissey.com]
Dan Lack people connector. summer camper. born traveller.
Dan Lack created Meeting of the Big Minds, a summer camp for adults, bringing together 15 of the country's biggest dreamers and doers at a time to connect and collaborate at four-day retreats. [www.mbmclassic.com]
Adele Uddo hand model. artistic explorer. inner excavator.
Adele Uddo is a super hand model, but please don't judge a girl from the wrist down. She's also a writer, determined to contribute more to society than nice nail beds. [www.adeleuddo.com]
Don Jose Ruiz author. musician. shaman.
Don Jose Ruiz dedicates his life to combining and sharing new insights and ancient Toltec wisdom. He teaches and lectures around the world. [www.miguelruiz.com]
Valery Satterwhite money demystifier. curious observer. legacy advisor.
Valery Satterwhite is a counselor, author, and speaker who champions those challenged with the paradox of privilege who want to live worthy, wealthy, and wise lives from the inside out. [www.WorthyWealthyWise.com]
Michael Beckwith new thought minister. author. emissary of peace.
Michael Bernard Beckwith is the founder of Agape International Spiritual Center and a celebrated author. [www.agapelive.com]
More

Contributors

Kirk Nielsen author. connection agent. change adventurer.
Author, speaker, and coach Kirk Nielsen founded OnenessOfUs.com to help women and especially men become aware and understand how we're all connected to each other and our world. [www.onenessofus.com]
Diana Mercer teacher. natural innovator. clementine artist.
Teacher, natural products innovator, and founder of Clementine Art, Diana Mercer works in pursuit of a world where all children are artists even after they grow up. [www.clementineart.com]
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]
Randy Peyser book coach. peace truster. journey enjoyer.
Randy Peyser helps people get book deals with publishers. She is CEO of Author One Stop, a national publishing consulting firm. She is the author of Crappy to Happy as featured in the movie Eat, Pray, Love. [www.AuthorOneStop.com]
Anthony Capobianco martial artist. manifestor. stuff relinquisher.
Anthony Capobianco is the founder of Zen Tea Traders where he shares his passion for tea with others through his company. [www.zenteatraders.com]
Elizabeth Zirk cultural exchanger. storyteller. connector.
Elizabeth Zerk founded Upon Return, an organization dedicated to supporting the alumni of high school exchange programs and promoting cultural exchange. She's also dedicated to the art of storytelling. [http://uponreturn.org]
Kate Northrup grounded flyer. northrup team member. self-truster.
Kate Northrup created early financial freedom and spent 2011 exploring and teaching financial, emotional, and spiritual freedom. She co-created Team Northrup, a league of wellness entrepreneurs aligned with the work of her mother, Dr. Christiane Northrup. [www.teamnorthrup.com]
Daniel Pink author. business provocateur. right-brainer.
Daniel H. Pink is the best-selling author of four provocative books about the changing world of work. His books have been translated into 32 languages. [www.danpink.com]
Karin McDermott movement specialist. passion cultivator. soultree planter.
Karin McDermott is the founder and owner of Soultree Motion, Inc., a movement and lifestyle company. She teaches movement as a method for unearthing the passionate human soul. [www.KarinMcDermott.com]
Kenneth Vogt mindful entrepreneur. present appreciator. business transformer.
Kenneth champions life-sustaining entrepreneurism. As The Clarity Guy he brings focus and simplicity to the grand notion that businesses big and small can and must transform the world. [www.veraclaritas.com]
Maggie Gilewicz phd candidate. lecturer. flyer.
PhD candidate and lecturer Magdalena Gilewicz is currently training to be a certified transformative coach. She's also conquering her fear of heights by becoming a helicopter pilot. [www.maggiegilewicz.com]
Nick Abson hydrogen fuel cell pioneer. transformational radical.
1960s radical Nick Abson ran an iconic recording studio and film company in London. His subsequent work as a director led him to become a pioneer in hydrogen fuel cells.
Mark Simmons author. entrepreneur. playful brit.
Mark Simmons is an author, branding expert, and entrepreneur who believes in the power of ideas to change the world. He founded the social enterprise useless.org. [www.useless.org]
Wilma Melville pilot. search dog handler. grandmother.
A retired PE instructor, grandmother of four, and passionate flyer, Wilma Melville founded the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation to address a gap in our nation's disaster response network. [www.searchdogfoundation.org]
Jeff Youngs business consultant. coach. effective team creator.
Jeff Youngs is a business coach, author, and consultant. His rich experience and intuitive gifts are brought to every engagement in service to transforming his clients' businesses and lives. [www.youngscom.com]
Jac McNeil self-leadership expert. seeker of meaningful quests. devoted mama.
Jac McNeil is a self-leadership expert for women entrepreneurs. Her work helps women unearth their own powerful truths and create thriving, integrity-based businesses. [www.jacmcneil.com]
Chris Cade writer. speaker. empowerer.
Chris Cade is a spiritual author, speaker, impassioned parent, entrepreneur, and professional empowerment artist enabling people to discover their innate joy, peace, and abundance. [www.chriscade.com]
Laurie Gerber life coach. radio show host. truthteller.
Life coach Laurie Gerber, President of Handel Group Life Coaching, is passionate about personal development. She leads large groups, blogs regularly, and hosts a radio show. [www.handelgroup.com]
Angela Dunning horse partner. contentment holder. inner critic silencer.
Angela Dunning founded Equine Reflections in 2007 to share her passion for learning life skills through interactions with horses. In addition she writes and dances the Argentine Tango. [www.equinereflections.co.uk]
James Malinchak motivational speaker. businessman. philanthropist.
James Malinchak has delivered over 2,200 motivational presentations, owns three businesses, has written eight books, and is a Contributing Author and Associate Editor for the Chicken Soup for the Soul books. [www.malinchak.com]
Sarah Jones good girl. light footed leader. experience owner.
Sarah Jones sees Life Itself as her lead in an epic, ongoing partner dance. She teaches women how to go from feeling uptight and invisible around men to beautiful and free. [www.sarahamandajones.com]
Jack Bower wanderer. goofball. inflexible yogi.
Jack Bower is a nurse, salesman, veteran, father, yogi, and searcher. If he finds what he's looking for, he'll let you know. [www.facebook.com/jack.e.bower]
Jo Anna Rothman counselor. healer. sparkler.
Counselor, intuitive, and healer Jo Anna Rothman assists people in releasing the blocks that hold them back from consciously creating and receiving all they desire. [www.BigSparklyLife.com]
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]
Craig Marshall clarity inspirer. core explorer. fear-facing dude.
Craig Marshall was a yoga monk for 35 years. His visionary work has awakened thousands worldwide, teaching them how to face fears and draw on intuition to realize their full identity and deepest dreams. [www.gapzip.com]
Elizabeth Jayne Liu writer. list maker. self challenger.
Elizabeth Jayne Liu gives herself a weekly challenge every Monday. She fails a lot, but has a great time doing it. [www.flourishinprogress.com]
Nic Askew filmmaker. musician. poet.
Nic Askew makes films. Short, black and white. Far beyond simple. Films that shake the soul. Made for those who have set out to consciously seek a meaningful life. [www.soulbiographies.com]
Miss Kristin songwriter. producer. elephant groover.
Miss Kristin is a prolific songwriter/music producer and the CEO of her own music label, Big Fuss Records. Kristin thrives when extending her hands to help others reach their dreams. [http://misskristin.com]
Tim Gallwey author. speaker. inner gamer.
Tim Gallwey is the author of The Inner Game series of books. His teachings, built on a foundation of Zen thinking and humanistic psychology, heighten learning, performance, and enjoyment. [www.theinnergame.com]
More

true power

Your Turn

Comments

Explore More Meaning

Contributors

Connection