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]
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]
author. speaker. linchpin.
Seth Godin is a prominent author, blogger and speaker. [www.squidoo.com/linchpin]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
singer. musician. crier.
Liz Phair is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. [www.lizphair.com]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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
joy
Gloria Kellett
television writer. playwright. comedienne.
Gloria Calderón Kellett is an author, playwright, television comedy writer and producer, sketch comedy group member, stand-up comedian, and Alma award winner. [www.everythinggloria.com]
The pursuit of joy is most meaningful to me because it encompasses everything. Balancing work or family doesn’t quite encompass enough, but the pursuit of joy means feeling connected to my loved ones, laughing, seeing the humor in life, walking around feeling good, and doing the best I can to be my best self.
I was a model as a kid, in Portland, and took my looks very seriously. Then, when I was 12, I broke my jaw, my two front teeth fell out, and I had to have braces. It was the first time I didn’t feel like the most attractive person in the room. That became character-defining for me because I realized that if I wanted people to look at me, I’d better say something interesting. And if I say something not only interesting, but funny, then people will really notice me.
Then, when I was 14, I moved from Oregon to San Diego. I walked into school and all the girls were gorgeous beach blondes. There I was with my braces and crooked face. But once I found myself by working with my brain and trying to be interesting and funny, I knew I could walk into any room and it didn’t matter what I looked like.
At the time of the accident I was devastated. But it turned out to be a blessing. I owe that defining moment my life.
Now I always try to find the blessing in the disappointment. When I have a difficult day, it’s often because I’m spending too much energy on something that’s not currently happening – anxiety about the future or stress from the past. One day, I tell myself, I’m going to learn something so important because of this.
Meditation and humor help me get back on track. If I sit quietly for a moment and breathe, focusing on being present in this moment and doing the best I can in this moment, it pulls me out of worry. I also do what the British call “taking the piss,” which means making fun of something. If I’m stressing about something silly, I’ll make fun of myself. The truth of the matter is that nobody except me cares about my zit. But if I show up in joy anyway, not only do they not care about the zit, they only see the joy.
Obviously, I don’t walk around joy-filled all the time, but that’s certainly my goal. It’s what I hope for. I aspire to being filled with joy.
– Gloria Kellett
Explore More Meaning
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depression overcomer. potential pusher. scoutie girl.
Tara Gentile is a business strategist for entrepreneurs making a difference through commerce. She specializes in guiding businesses towards people-focused development and service. [www.taragentile.com]
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artist. story-teller. bohemian soul.
Val White has done it all, from Christian singing groups to teaching children's theater. He's thrilled to be part of the lifebyme.com family. [www.valwhiteonline.com]
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honesty seeker. brilliance infuser. really great mom.
A go-getter in all endeavors, motivational speaker January L'Angelle likes to stir up trouble. She writes and directs films and co-founded Stay Brilliant, an organization working to better the lives of people living with mental anomalies. [www.staybrilliant.com]
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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]
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astrologist. psychologist. joyicist.
Phyllis Mitz has enjoyed a flourishing astrology practice for over 20 years. She uses a unique blend of astrology, psychology, and spirituality to help people find success in life, love, and work. [www.AstrologerPhyllis.com]
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psychologist. facilitator. relationship alchemist.
Melvin Allen is a relationship alchemist with a PhD in Depth Psychology the study of the unconscious, and an MA in Spiritual Psychology. He has appeared on television and radio shows around the world. [www.melvinandsherrie.com]
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business and success coach. designer. expansionist.
Anney Smith is fueled by creativity, invention, and intuition. She's an executive and entrepreneur coach, designer, wife, and mom who blends left- and right-brained tools to ignite major transformations. [www.thesmithconnection.com]
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awareness seeker. conscious music maker. helpful exaggerator.
Singer, songwriter, and producer Eric Lumiere is a Lover of Life and all things, and lives for the upliftment of consciousness everywhere. He is also graduate of Teen Insight. This piece is part of the Insight University and Life By Me week of giving back. [www.givingtuesday.org/insight-university]
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