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
expression
Judy Prescott
author. theatre kid. laughing backpacker.
Poet, actress, and activist Judy Prescott lives in Los Angeles, where she works in film and television. She's the author of a just-released collection of poetry and art. [www.judyprescott.com]
Self-expression is a necessity in my life. I was raised in a culture where if you didn’t have anything nice to say it was best not to say anything at all. Hence, we were a very quiet household. It never felt quite safe to communicate openly. My brothers and I were terribly polite and well-mannered in the presence of taller people.
I must have been in first grade when my teacher asked me to walk across the stage and trade my toy with John Munisteri while uttering the words “Let’s swap,” then exit holding hands with him. I figured any words written by another person – by an adult, no less – must be worth saying, so off I went. The theatre offered that first-grader a voice.
That encounter led me to believe in the power of words. As a kid, I began writing poetry after my longtime best friend Kyle Patricia McCormick died suddenly of heart failure. I learned to express my grief in a safe, silent way, by putting pen to paper. I’d been instructed to keep smiling and not let Kyle’s family see that I was upset. It was Kyle’s mom’s black-gloved hand suddenly clutching mine at the gravesite that helped me realize that my friend wasn’t coming back.
There have been times in my life when I’ve lost the ability to express myself. A particularly oppressive relationship I was in almost silenced me for good. I regained my voice by physically removing myself from the relationship and the country. I joined a friend who was traveling abroad and in need of a companion. The chaos of backpacking for six weeks helped me find the humor in life again and I remembered how to laugh.
When we don’t follow our instincts, when we allow ourselves to be ruled by fear, we’re prevented from living our lives. Artistic expression is a great way to get in touch with what’s important. What moves us emotionally can light a creative fire and lead to more meaningful work and relationships.
It’s imperative that I continue to find new ways to express myself, in order to gain the freedom and peace I welcome into my life. I find that it’s no fun being the quiet kid.
– Judy Prescott
Explore More Meaning
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compassionate producer. loving daughter. wisdom seeker.
Maia Monasterios is an award-winning director, producer, and writer of such projects as PBS History Detectives stories including: Vietnam Diary, Titanic Luxury Liner Picture Frame, Clint Black's Rogue Book and The Beatles Autographs. [http://www.indiegogo.com/Vietnam-Veterans-Forgive-and-Heal]
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bio-physician. pond builder. whole person.
Dr. Chris Johnstone is an author, bio-physician, and coach. He writes and teaches about resilience, happiness, and positive change. [www.chrisjohnstone.info]
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muralist. creativity inspirer. permanent inker.
London native Shelley Cassidy's artwork has been displayed in numerous private homes, offices, upscale retail spaces, and Los Angeles International Airport. She teaches budding painters and knows there's an artist within each of us. [www.shelleycassidy.com]
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kombucha brewer. purity purveyor. devoted son.
GT Dave began bottling Kombucha after his mother successfully drank it during her battle with breast cancer. He's committed to bringing us the purest and most potent Kombucha available. [www.GTSkombucha.com]
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skateboarder. artist. stirrer of the pot.
Mimi Knoop is a professional skateboarder and multi-media artist. She has won five X-Games medals in women's vert and is a co-founder of The Alliance, a non-profit organization of female skateboarders. [www.actionsportalliance.com]
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writer. teacher. intuitive alchemist.
Teacher, writer, and intuitive alchemist, Hiro Boga believes in the power of love and truth to transform the world. [www.hiroboga.com]
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writer. design spotter. brand strategist.
An expat living in Barcelona, Chauncey Zalkin is a writer, brand strategist, and the founder of What Women Make, a female design showcase and blog. [whatwomenmake.com]
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human rights activist. writer. justice seeker.
Kenneth Roth is the Executive Director of Human Rights Watch. He's investigated and written extensively on a wide range of human rights issues. [www.hrw.org]
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