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

 

small change

Jennifer Sall Jennifer Sall interactive marketer. pr strategist. awareness harnesser.

Interactive marketing and online PR strategist Jennifer Sall works with companies of all sizes to leverage the immediacy of the Web to build brand awareness and revenue. [www.unionxunion.com]

I’ve learned to appreciate all I have every day – on bad days and good days. I grew up outside Washington, DC, in an affluent neighborhood focused on displaying what you have. I later worked at a high-paying corporate job that enabled me to have material wealth. But I didn’t feel fulfilled. Sure, I could have this great dinner and that great handbag and travel to all those places, but I still had an empty feeling inside.

As I’ve aged and evolved, so have my attitudes. Of course I like nice things. Everyone does. But at the end of the day, even if I have the latest and greatest of everything, what’s most important is what’s inside, and things like the people I surround myself with and how I feel in my body.

What’s helped me get on track and stay on track is recognizing little successes. Sometimes, small actual changes are more successful than big decisions. For instance, deciding to go on a diet of no sugar, no flour, no this, no that might be something I’d stick to for a week, but I’d be unhappy and it wouldn’t last. But if I say I’ll have dessert only when I’m eating out, that’s something I can more easily adapt to. That small hurdle is much easier, so I succeed. Then I feel good about myself.

There are lots of ways I make small changes that make a difference. If I’m feeling soft because I haven’t gotten any exercise lately, I’ll walk instead of driving to do an errand. Sometimes I wake up in the morning and try to stay in bed and meditate for just one minute. Even that one minute helps shift things and starts the day on a different note. Rather than saying I’m not going to use plastic anymore , I keep the grocery bags in the car so they’re already there when we need them. Then being more environmentally conscious becomes a habit. It’s one less thing to think about.

Small changes help us get to the next thing. When we make little changes, they become habitual, part of our daily routines. They build on each other and add up to larger changes. They help us appreciate what we can actually accomplish.

– Jennifer Sall

Comments

Explore More Meaning

  • Heather Day
    Heather Day 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]

     
  • Jennifer Peek
    Jennifer Peek Jennifer Peek thrill seeker. mud pie maker. groover.

    Jennifer Peek is the founder of Find Your New Groove, mentoring women entrepreneurs to design and build businesses that reflect their purpose, passion, and priorities while embracing a sense of adventure. [http://findyournewgroove.com]

     
  • Anita Moorjani
    Anita Moorjani Anita Moorjani near-death survivor. critic silencer. natural spirit.

    Anita Moorjani is the bestselling author of Dying to be Me, the moving, true story of her near-death experience at the end stage of cancer. [www.anitamoorjani.com]

     
  • Gabe Morgan
    Gabe Morgan Gabe Morgan melody maker. peanuts appreciator. energy seeker.

    Gabe Morgan, music and business student at CSU Northridge, is a musician, songwriter, lyricist, and producer. He is a 2004 graduate of Teen Insight and our featured contributor for Giving Tuesday. [www.givingtuesday.org/partner-detail/insight-university]

     
  • Leah Miller
    Leah Miller Leah Miller artist. blogger. superfreak.

    Leah Miller is an 18-year old unschooler following her dreams in LA, NY, Chicago, and Paris. Right now, her passion is the entertainment business and she is following that passion as far and as fast as she can. [leahmiller.typepad.com]

     
  • John March
    John March John March musician. activist. artistic mentor.

    John March is a musician, teacher, producer, writer, activist, Buddhist facilitator in training, and single dad. He mentors artists and develops modern rites of passage for fathers and sons. [www.zenguitarguy.com]

     
  • Stacey Antine
    Stacey Antine Stacey Antine kid energizer. intake educator. action taker.

    Stacey Antine, M.S., R.D. is the founder of HealthBarn USA, a leader in hands-on healthy-lifestyle education. She is also the author of Appetite for Life: The Thumbs-Up, No-Yucks Guide to Getting Your Kid to Be a Great Eater. [www.healthbarnusa.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]

     
  • More

Contributors

  • Eric Handler
    Eric Handler Eric Handler truth distinguisher. moment enjoyer. blessed dad.

    Eric Handler is the co-founder of Positively Positive, an online multimedia platform known for its creative content designed to inspire readers to live fully and connected and to ignite the fire inside of them. [www.positivelypositive.com]

     
  • Adele Uddo
    Adele Uddo 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]

     
  • Steve Chandler
    Steve Chandler Steve Chandler coach. trainer. time warrior.

    Steve Chandler is a corporate trainer, business coach, and co-founder of the World Mastermind network, Club Fearless. He is the best-selling author of Time Warrior. [www.stevechandler.com]

     
  • Danea Horn
    Danea Horn Danea Horn life coach. health strategist. affirmationist.

    Life Coach and speaker Danea Horn is an expert at helping people design and implement strategies for a fulfilling life when facing health challenges. She developed the website Creative Affirmations: Redefining Positive for Real Life. [www.DaneaHorn.com]

     
  • Lama Tenzin
    Lama Tenzin Lama Tenzin balancer. humanity embracer. women protector.

    Buddhist Monk Lama Tenzin founded Children's Education and Development International, providing homes, education, and health care for destitute Himalayan children.

     
  • Judith Orloff
    Judith Orloff Judith Orloff author. professor. emotional liberator.

    Dr. Judith Orloff, assistant clinical professor of psychiatry and best-selling author, passionately asserts that we have the power to transform negative emotions and achieve inner peace. [www.drjudithorloff.com]

     
  • Jane Heller
    Jane Heller Jane Heller bestselling writer. comedic caregiver. ambulette driver.

    Bestselling author Jane Heller's romantic comedy novels entertain readers around the world. Her latest book is nonfiction. You'd Better Not Die or I'll Kill You: A Caregiver's Survival Guide to Keeping You in Good Health and Good Spirits. [www.janeheller.com]

     
  • Mike Riera
    Mike Riera Mike Riera speaker. author. parental philosopher.

    Mike Riera, PhD, speaks and writes on the topic of understanding teenagers and children. [www.mikeriera.com]

     
  • Christine Stevens
    Christine Stevens Christine Stevens music therapist. speaker. drum healer.

    Christine Stevens is an internationally acclaimed author, music therapist, and speaker. She founded UpBeat Drum Circles, offering personal growth seminars and programs for corporate teambuilding and diversity training. [www.ubdrumcircles.com]

     
  • Kyle Rutkin
    Kyle Rutkin Kyle Rutkin authentic novelist. uncertainty embracer. dream includer.

    Kyle Rutkin was put on this world to write romantic comedies and inspire people to chase their dreams. His second novel is due for release in the winter of 2012. [www.kylerutkin.com]

     
  • Noch Noch
    Noch Noch Noch Noch moment savorer. recoverer. brave heart.

    Once an overachieving executive, Noch Noch's life was turned upside down by depression. Recovering, she writes about living with depression and self-awareness, and is also developing Bearapy, a creative therapy project. [www.nochnoch.com]

     
  • Bob Walter
    Bob Walter Bob Walter early riser. mystic identifier. self opener.

    Bob Walter is an editor and executive with several not-for-profit organizations, including the Joseph Campbell Foundation, an organization that preserves, protects, and perpetuates the work of influential American mythologist Joseph Campbell. [www.jcf.org]

     
  • Omer Vaughn
    Omer Vaughn Omer Vaughn writer. storyteller. spiritual psychologist.

    Omer Vaughn is a writer and storyteller. Read more at [www.amomentofawareness.com]

     
  • Sarah Jones
    Sarah Jones 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]

     
  • Michael Neill
    Michael Neill Michael Neill bestselling author. childhood reconnector. messy laugher.

    Michael Neill is an internationally renowned transformative coach and creative sparkplug to CEOs, celebrities, and royalty. His books have been translated into thirteen languages around the world. [www.insideoutrevolution.com]

     
  • Byron Katie
    Byron Katie Byron Katie author. worker. inquirer.

    Bestselling author, Byron Katie, has one job: to teach people how to stop suffering. When Katie appears, lives change. [www.thework.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]

     
  • Mary Anne Radmacher
    Mary Anne Radmacher Mary Anne Radmacher author. artist. gifter.

    Author Mary Anne Radmacher has been writing to make sense of life since she was a child. She's written in the gift industry for 30 years and her licensed work is distributed around the world. [www.maryanneradmacher.net]

     
  • Heather Day
    Heather Day 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]

     
  • Justin Oswald
    Justin Oswald Justin Oswald art supporter. real dreamer. voice finder.

    Justin Oswald is on the board of directors at p:ear, an organization serving disadvantaged youth in Portland, Oregon. He knows how to make big dreams a reality. [www.pearmentor.org]

     
  • Maggie Wheeler
    Maggie Wheeler Maggie Wheeler friends alumna. folk singer. harmonic connector.

    Maggie Wheeler is a mother, actress, voice-over artist, and co-director of the Golden Bridge Community Choir. Through her vocal workshop, Singing In The Stream, she invites people to step into to the joy of singing in community. [www.maggiewheeler.net]

     
  • Richard Rosenblatt
    Richard Rosenblatt Richard Rosenblatt entrepreneur. visionary. media man.

    As a serial entrepreneur and Internet visionary, Richard Rosenblatt co-founded Demand Media and is redefining the next generation of new media companies. [www.demandmedia.com]

     
  • Tracey Trottenberg
    Tracey Trottenberg Tracey Trottenberg strategist. speaker. catalyst for change.

    Tracey Trottenberg is a business and leadership coach and an international speaker. She founded Amazing Women International, which connects and educates women leaders throughout the world. [www.traceytrottenberg.net]

     
  • Robert Dirksen
    Robert Dirksen Robert Dirksen doctor of optometry. life coach. holistic balancer.

    Robert Dirksen is a life coach and doctor of optometry who specializes in holistic care. His passion is helping people balance all aspects of life – mind, body, and soul. [www.DrRobWellness.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]

     
  • Life By Me
    Life By Me Life By Me meaning sharers. next-step seekers. creative scribblers.

    We’re a diverse group of coaches, journalists, idea-developers, artists, bloggers, strategists, moms, and dads. We love the idea of being in a world where you are living a meaningful life. Your way. Every day.

     
  • John Morton
    John Morton John Morton counselor. spiritual director. do-gooder.

    John Morton is a minister, author, counselor, coach, and the Spiritual Director of several non-profit organizations, including the Movement of Spiritual Inner Awareness. [www.theblessings.org]

     
  • Pat Thomas
    Pat Thomas Pat Thomas writer. activist. asker of questions.

    Pat Thomas is a journalist, campaigner, and author specializing in health and environment. She's the author of dozens of books for adults and children and creator of the interactive game Infrequently Asked Questions. [www.iaqs.org.uk]

     
  • John Schindler
    John Schindler John Schindler fisherman. tree surgeon. renaissance man.

    John Schindler is a renaissance man. He served in the Army and he owned a natural foods grocery. He's a master butcher, tree surgeon, chef, baker, ?sherman, loving husband, and father.

     
  • More

Connection


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