
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 is the co-founder and Editor in Chief of the Huffington Post and the author of twelve books. [www.huffingtonpost.com]

Seth Godin is a prominent author, blogger and speaker. [www.squidoo.com/linchpin]

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 has enjoyed a long career in television and film. He is also a political and social activist and philanthropist. [www.normanlear.com]

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]

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, 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]

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 is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. [www.lizphair.com]

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 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]

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 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 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 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]

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]

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
sparkle

What’s most meaningful to me is enjoyment, really taking the time to have the most awesome experiences in life. A few years ago, before my grandfather died, he’d call me up and say, “How are you doing?” I’d say, “I’m good.” He’d always say, “You should try being bad sometimes. It’s a lot more fun.” Every time he said it, I’d laugh. He’s right.
A year ago, I was in a job I hated and on a path that wasn’t me. I was not having fun. It’s been a year since then and things have changed. I’ve come to really appreciate taking the time to luxuriate in life and let things be sparkly, to have and do things I really enjoy.
A turning point for me was when I got fired three weeks into a new job that was just like the old job I’d hated. I was all upset – crying, calling my mom on the phone. Then Mom said to me, “It’s OK. Make this the best thing that ever happened to you.”
For the first time, I really saw the opportunity in front of me. It just clicked. I gave myself a week of down time and it’s been full steam ahead since then, in a million ways, not just with my career. I kept asking myself, “How do I make this the best thing that ever happened to me and not just a new job? What’s going to make me happy? How do I get up every day and feel excited about the adventure that’s in front of me?”
I realized that I didn’t always have to work my process – I could go from wherever I was into acceptance. Right now I could say, “Oh, this is going to be cool. I get to do whatever I want. I’m just going to be happy.” Because, what’s my choice? It’s either to be a cranky, miserable mess – and I’ve done that – or to live in a different way. To be more sparkly.
I was doing a meditation last night and it felt like the question being asked of me was, “What sound does your soul make?” In that moment, someone on the street whistled. It was a catcall. I thought, “That’s it! That’s my sound.” It ruined the meditation because I bust out laughing, but it was the best moment ever. I think laughter and sparkle are my superpowers.
– Jo Anna Rothman
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