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
shareasaurus
Katie McClain
unique individual. differences encourager. life magician.
Katie McClain coaches moms and their boys to dispel thought-fueled angst and create radical self-acceptance. She finds home with her family and dogs, by creating magic with clients, and on visits to Paris. [www.katiemcclain.com]
Family closeness is very important to me. It’s something I’ve always wanted, even before my son, who’s now thirteen, was born. In our family, we celebrate each of our unique personalities. We believe this creates a strong family bond.
I was one of the youngest of six children. Each of us was very different, and I learned at an early age that certain differences were not acceptable. Being yourself was not encouraged.
I was a precocious little kid with a ton of energy. Instead of greeting my unique personality with an attitude of “Look at that, it’s so interesting that she’s full of life,” my family made it known that my behavior was completely unacceptable.
For a long time, I was shy about who I really was, but I’ve learned to embrace it more and more. I love to share. When I learn something new I want to share it with my family and my friends, sometimes with anybody who will listen. I’ll often write about it in blog posts. In fact, my good friend refers to me as a shareasaurus. I love that, because it’s really me. I’m becoming who I’ve always been.
Often, the uniqueness of who we are gets squashed in youth. As a culture, we’re conditioned to exclaim when something is a little different or seems strange. I encourage parents to allow and accept individuality, even when it doesn’t resonate with them.
When faced with a new situation, it’s important for us as parents to check in with our own thoughts before jumping into comments, suggestions, or even questions. We can ask ourselves, What kind of thoughts are going through my mind? Are they negative or positive? How we react to a situation is based on how we feel, and how we feel comes from our thinking. If you feel negative about the situation, clear that negativity out of your head before you discuss the situation with your child. Then, in a loving and curious way, be interested in what’s going on.
My husband and I really try to support our son in being himself. There are times when I’m taken aback, but I do my very best to give him a smile and be interested in what he’s sharing with me. In return, our son has become very easygoing and nonjudgmental. My husband and I think he’s pretty extraordinary.
– Katie McClain
Explore More Meaning
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writer. host. manifesting dynamo.
Kate McClafferty is a writer, host, producer, and manifestor who lives in Los Angeles. She loves her job of manifesting her dreams every single day.
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laughter initiator. grateful stylist. empowerment infuser.
Stylist and costume designer Jen Rade has spent the past 20 years working with some of the world's most recognized names and faces to create iconic music videos, commercials, and red carpet moments. [www.twitter.com/stylistjenrade]
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body whisperer. wellness watcher. menstruation embracer.
Christiane Northrup, MD, is a board-certified ob/gyn and a visionary pioneer in the field of women's health and wellness. She is a bestselling author and the host of seven successful public television specials. [www.drnorthrup.com]
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mindfulness coach. author. moment expander.
John Selby, author of more than twenty books, has worked as a therapist and mindfulness coach for two decades. [www.tappingdaily.org]
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meditation leader. author. buddhist.
Bestselling author Sharon Salzberg co-founded the Insight Meditation Society. She's been a student of meditation since 1971 and has guided meditation retreats worldwide since 1974. [www.SharonSalzberg.com]
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hypnotherapist. dad. difference maker.
Colin Chapman is a clinical hypnotherapist. He owns The Joy of Hypnosis, in Richmond, Virginia, where he helps empower clients worldwide change their lives. [www.joyofhypnosis.com]
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depression overcomer. potential pusher. scoutie girl.
Tara Gentile is a business strategist for entrepreneurs making a difference through commerce. She specializes in guiding businesses towards people-focused development and service. [www.taragentile.com]
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Author. Relationship Expert. Upper Limit Eliminator.
Gay Hendricks has served for more than 30 years as one of the major contributors to the fields of relationship transformation and body-mind therapies. [www.hendricks.com]
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