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

 

everything

H. Alan Scott H. Alan Scott

H. Alan Scott is a writer and comedian. Featured on Sirius XM Radio, here! TV, Huffington Post, Chicago Tribune, Towleroad, xojane.com and Time Out New York's "Joke of the Week." Oprah said his name.

I was raised Mormon. This is just another way of saying, “Trust me, I have more siblings than you.” Whatever we did as a family had to also be well suited for large groups. Because of this, we often went to the movies.

One October night in 1997, my family set out on yet another movie night. It was my father’s turn to select a movie. Never good at these sorts of things, usually he chose films based on how he felt about the title. This weekend he selected a film that seemed like a musical, possibly a dance film, called “Boogie Nights.”

We took our row in the theater. I sat next to my mother. I had heard things about the film, that there might be nudity, but for Mormons my parents were fairly liberal, so I wasn’t concerned about a butt shot or possibly a boob (maybe two).

Things were fine through out the first half of the film. Sure, it’s totally not a musical (but there is dancing!). The sex is graphic, there’s drug use, but my family seems to be handling it just fine. They might be (bite my Mormon tongue) enjoying it.

Then Julianne Moore tells Mark Wahlberg exactly where (on her) he should, um, you know… finish. This is when I leaned over to my mother and whispered, “We should go.”

“No,” she said. “We paid for this, we’re getting our money’s worth. How much worse can it get?

We all know how much worse it got. (A full nine inches of worse, if you know what I mean).

But my mother likes to frame things in life lessons. As we were exiting the theater, she says to my me and my brothers, “Boys, look at it this way, having a large penis only leads to a life in pornography and drug use. You should be proud of your small penises.”

I am proud, but not for why you’re thinking. Only my Mormon family would actually sit through a film like “Boogie Nights” AND find meaning in it. I mean, it’s totally bonkers. Which is why I’m proud, because it taught me that even the most ridiculous (and don’t forget awkward) situations can be made into something to learn from, or find joy in, or possibly laugh at.

As a writer and comedian, there’s no greater lesson (or source material).

And I am proud of my small penis. Well, metaphorically small, in the context of the story I mean. I’m going to stop now.

– H. Alan Scott

Comments

Explore More Meaning

  • 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]

     
  • Gordon Myers
    Gordon Myers Gordon Myers empowering dad. motivating coach. difference maker.

    Gordon Myers is a Namibian life strategist living in Los Angeles. He teaches teenagers how to create their own luck regardless of their current personal circumstances. [www.streetsmartkids.com]

     
  • Jasmine Aziz
    Jasmine Aziz Jasmine Aziz novelist. vibrator vendor. orgasm promoter.

    Jasmine Aziz is a retired vibrator seller who used to do in-home party presentations. Her novel, Sex & Samosas, helps both men and women navigate the subtle complexities of the modern woman life. [www.jasmineaziz.com]

     
  • Jason Weberman
    Jason Weberman Jason Weberman life coach. inner strength accessor. northern star.

    Using his coaching and corporate background, North Star Coaching founder and president Jason Weberman helps clients access their own inner strengths to take powerful steps towards being effective leaders. [www.northstarcoaching.com]

     
  • Drai
    Drai Drai designer. conscious brand manager. wild redhead.

    Drai is a priestess, song keeper, mother, wife, and artist. As founder of Wild Redhead Design, she loves to partner with folks who are making a difference. [www.myspace.com/wildredheaddesign/blog]

     
  • Steve Robertson
    Steve Robertson Steve Robertson transmedia philanthropist. music enthusiast. peace crusader.

    Steve Robertson is the founder and CEO of Project Peace On Earth, a music, entertainment ,and transmedia company producing inspirational content that benefits a variety of worldwide charitable causes. [www.Project-PeaceOnEarth.org]

     
  • Dr. Jin Robertson
    Dr. Jin Robertson Dr. Jin Robertson joyous author. inspiring speaker. dream accomplisher.

    Dr. Jin Robertson has been a factory laborer, an immigrant housemaid, a battered wife, and a U.S. army major. Jin received her M.A. and Ph.D. from Harvard University. She is an international inspirational speaker and bestselling author. [www.drjinrobertson.com]

     
  • Jon Rose
    Jon Rose Jon Rose clean water champion. pro surfer. global changer.

    Jon Rose founded the non-profit organization Waves for Water, which works with world leaders and strategic partners to provide clean water to communities in need around the world. [www.wavesforwater.org]

     
  • More

Contributors

  • Nick Segal
    Nick Segal Nick Segal home finder. businessman. completer.

    Nick Segal is the president of Partners Trust Real Estate Brokerage & Acquisitions. [www.thepartnerstrust.com]

     
  • Joan Barnes
    Joan Barnes Joan Barnes creator. truth seeker. jourrneyer.

    Joan Barnes was the principal owner of YOGASTUDIO. She also founded and was CEO of Gymboree. She continues to be involved in creative recreation for all age groups.

     
  • Albe Zakes
    Albe Zakes Albe Zakes waste combater. difference maker. minute exerciser.

    Albe Zakes wanted to work for TerraCycle (a pioneer in innovative upcycling and recycling systems) so badly he took an unpaid internship. He's now TerraCycle's VP of Media Relations. [www.terracycle.com]

     
  • Jean Houston
    Jean Houston Jean Houston philosopher. scholar. visionaire.

    Dr. Jean Houston, scholar, philosopher, and researcher in human capacities, is one of the foremost visionary thinkers and doers of our time, and one of the principal founders of the Human Potential Movement. [www.jeanhouston.org]

     
  • Mathieu Bitton
    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]

     
  • Gabi Ury
    Gabi Ury Gabi Ury doodler. filmmaker. globetrotter.

    Gabi Ury, an eighth grader at the Alexander Dawson School, lives in Colorado. She's a world traveler with passports from three countries. She loves dogs and other animals.

     
  • Kiva Leatherman
    Kiva Leatherman Kiva Leatherman entrepreneur. wise woman. success embracer.

    Kiva Leatherman is the founder of the Wise Women Network, inspiring women to stop living vicariously though others and embrace financial, emotional, and physical success on our own terms. [www.wisewomennetwork.com]

     
  • Craig Marshall
    Craig Marshall 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]

     
  • Zara Larsen
    Zara Larsen Zara Larsen leadership consultant. business coach. proud redhead.

    Dr. Zara Larsen is a change leadership consultant and business coach. Her weekly radio show encourages us to create our own path by walking on it. [www.thelarsengroup.com]

     
  • Scott Sandler
    Scott Sandler 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]

     
  • Susan Pohlman
    Susan Pohlman Susan Pohlman writer. teacher. expert relocator.

    Susan Pohlman is a freelance writer based in Scottsdale, Arizona. She's an award-winning author, published essayist, and short film wordsmith. [www.susanpohlman.com]

     
  • Rama Hughes
    Rama Hughes Rama Hughes illustrator. roughhousing dad. unhurried achiever.

    Two truths and a lie about Rama Hughes: He dropped out of school to work on a farm. About 15 years before they met, he described his wife accurately in a letter. He wrestled bear cubs while working as a zookeeper. [www.ramahughes.com]

     
  • Sean Stephenson
    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]

     
  • Dyana Valentine
    Dyana Valentine Dyana Valentine expresser. body attender. dream catcher.

    Dyana Valentine works closely and intensely with people and companies truly ready to make something happen. Through a platform of community psychology, she helps high-performing creatives move and shake. [www.dyanavalentine.com]

     
  • Eric Hiss
    Eric Hiss Eric Hiss writer. explorer. risk-taker.

    Eric Hiss navigates the world in search of unexpected, entertaining, off-the-beaten-path stories. He's written about everything from spas to pop bands. Eric also co-founded wandermelon.com. [www.wandermelon.com]

     
  • Ingrid Vanderveldt
    Ingrid Vanderveldt Ingrid Vanderveldt sustainability advocate. entrepreneur. fosterer.

    Ingrid Vanderveldt is an entrepreneur, TV personality, and passionate advocate of working with women to foster a more sustainable future. She consults with Fortune 500 companies on their WOMEN + GREEN initiatives. [http://ingridvanderveldt.com]

     
  • David Ari Leon
    David Ari Leon David Ari Leon composer. bliss follower. phoenix discoverer.

    David Ari Leon is an Emmy-nominated composer and music supervisor. He is also music director of the Voice of Life project, whose mission is to elevate wellness with great music. [www.soundmindmusic.com]

     
  • Alison Armstrong
    Alison Armstrong Alison Armstrong clever collaborator. supportive woman. gender applauder.

    Alison Armstrong is a nationally-known educator and expert on understanding men and the CEO and co-founder of PAX Programs Inc. She created the widely acclaimed Celebrating Men, Satisfying Women workshop. [www.understandmen.com]

     
  • Jacqueline Boone
    Jacqueline Boone Jacqueline Boone traveling writer. dream doer. every day creator.

    Jacqueline Boone is the creator of the blog and web show, 6 Months to Live. She is an explorer at heart who is passionate about truly living. [6monthstolive.me]

     
  • Charity Water
    Charity Water Charity Water clean. water. now.

    charity: water is a non-profit organization bringing clean and safe drinking water to people in developing nations. 100% of public donations directly fund water projects. Learn more or donate. [www.charitywater.org]

     
  • Natasha Marvis
    Natasha Marvis Natasha Marvis affirmation inventor. yoga enthusiast. dishwashing meditator.

    Natasha Marvis is Certified Yoga Instructor, standing in her strength, sharing her love, and remaining authentic in the present moment. [www.mindfulconnection.me]

     
  • Mark Griffin
    Mark Griffin Mark Griffin author. artist. awakener.

    Mark Griffin is the founder of the Hard Light Center of Awakening, Fire Mountain Retreat, and the Third Millennium Awakening. He's also a prolific author and artist. [www.markgriffin.info]

     
  • Anna Krajec
    Anna Krajec Anna Krajec educator. youth leadership developer. playshopper.

    Anna Krajec is the visionary behind IWE and the Green Valentines Festivals, which raise awareness about sustainable living and creating a bright future for our children. [www.ImagineWisdomEducation-IWE.org]

     
  • David Hassell
    David Hassell David Hassell entrepreneur. kiteboarder. philosopher.

    David Hassell is a serial entrepreneur presently engaged in launching 15Five, a software company focusing on increasing the relevance and velocity of communication within organizations. [http://about.me/dhassell]

     
  • Todd Murray
    Todd Murray Todd Murray musical multi-tasker. quest seeker. early starter.

    Todd Murray uses both sides of his brain. He's a professional singer/songwriter and a businessman. He's a documentarian, real-estate owner/manager, co-owner of gvbradio.com, dog lover ... and he cans pickles. [www.ToddMurray.com]

     
  • Julia Cameron
    Julia Cameron Julia Cameron author. poet. aritistic guide.

    Julia Cameron has been an active artist for more than 30 years. A bestselling novelist, playwright, songwriter, and poet, she has multiple credits in theater, film, and television. [www.theartistsway.com]

     
  • Kelly Holtzclaw
    Kelly Holtzclaw Kelly Holtzclaw new media publisher. social media strategist. mythic storyteller.

    Kelly Holtzclaw is a writer, racer, and wine lover. He's the founder of Facetious VSS, an interactive agency. He writes about marketing, mythic story, and film. [www.kellyholtzclaw.com]

     
  • Elizabeth Jayne Liu
    Elizabeth Jayne Liu 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]

     
  • Martin Boroson
    Martin Boroson Martin Boroson radical meditator. teacher. portable peacenik.

    By teaching his radical new take on meditation in eclectic venues around the world, author Martin Boroson is emerging as an inventive new voice in the next generation of meditation teachers. [www.onemomentmeditation.com]

     
  • More

Connection


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