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
oneness
Heather Day
unstressing visionary. connected traveller. one of us.
Heather Day spearheads the Unstressed Revolution, inspiring people to choose trust over fear with gentleness and ease. A teacher of simplicity, she crusades for a world free from stress. [www.vitalbeingwellness.com]
The bank line, of all places. Mundane, everyday, cell phones buzzing and impatient children whining. In Spanish. Of which I understood not a word. Alajuela, Costa Rica. Alone. So, so alone.
Having never really envisioned solo travel in Central America, I hadn’t ever bothered to learn Spanish. I knew rudimentary Dutch and conversational French, both of which were rustier than I’d like to admit. And because of a confused but sweet taxi driver who couldn’t find the hostel and, instead, dropped me off at a hole-in-the-wall hotel the next town over, there I stood. In a town not really intended for tourists, especially not ones who don’t speak Spanish. I just wanted to cash a traveler’s check and pay for my run-down room.
Apparently in Alajuela people get to the bank early. They leaned against the cool stone wall, and so did I. They pecked at their cell phones, checked their makeup, chatted with friends. From what I could tell there was a line for seniors, populated by old men with potbellies and deep smile lines who laughed heartily about something. I wanted to be laughing too.
I felt helpless. Out of place. I imagined glowing lights around me that shouted, “One of these things is not like the others!” I could feel myself shrinking despite attempts to act casual, like it was a totally normal Wednesday morning.
As my mind began to race, envisioning the fabled banditos and volleying angry rounds at the cab driver (aren’t cab drivers supposed to know where they’re going?!), the words of one of my teachers rang in my heart:
“I am you, and you are me. Relax into the simplicity of oneness.”
Lifting my gaze from my feet and relaxing my grip on my messenger bag, I openly gazed into the faces of the men and women around me. Men and women living their lives, who have hobbies and struggles and pets and pictures of their kids in their wallets. My pulse slowed. My shoulders softened. And so did my heart. I am you and you are me. We are one energy, not so separate at all.
And suddenly, as if in slow motion, I was absorbed into the rhythm of the morning. The doors opened and we streamed in. Seamless. Unified. Trust replaced fear. Not me and them; we were all in this bank line together.
– Heather Day
Explore More Meaning
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teacher of good. honest marketer. lover of vegan cheesecake.
Corrina Gordon-Barnes is a Certified Professional Coach specializing in supporting women who want to turn their passion into a profitable business. [www.youinspireme.co.uk]
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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]
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infant vocalist. continuous learner. light shiner.
Chandrika Tandon is a Grammy-nominated singer & composer who has received praise from NY Times for her "limpid, serene voice.” Her new album “Soul March” reinterprets “Raghupathi Raghava Raja Ram,” a song sung by Gandhi and his followers during the 1930 Salt March.
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outdoor explorer. diversity accepter. extension of earth.
Jonathan Ellerby, PhD, is a spiritual teacher, healer, author, and the CEO for the Tao Center for Inspired Living in the Mayan Riviera. [www.jonathanellerby.com]
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educator. lifestyles expert. friendly elevator rider.
Dr. Judith Wright has been featured on 20/20, Good Morning America and the Today Show. She is a bestselling author, speaker, coach and consultant. [www.judithwright.com]
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journalist. advocate. godfather of slow.
Journalist Carl Honoré has written for The Economist, The Observer, and National Post, but he is best known for his advocacy of the Slow Movement. [www.carlhonore.com]
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author. actress. health enthusiast.
Mariel Hemingway is an author and the founder of Mariel's Kitchen, a company she created to help people discover health and happiness by treating themselves well. [www.marielhemingway.com]
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culinary artist. gracious foodie. grapefruit huller.
Benjamin Atkinson launched The Dry Gourmet to re-make cooking wines. Along the way, he re-connected with food and grace. It is a journey he recommends for anyone. [www.drygourmet.com/the-story]
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