
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
relocation

A few years back, I lost my roommate and best friend of fifteen years. He was struggling through a battle with cancer and in the end, he lost the fight. Without my lifelong friend, I felt like I couldn’t deal with the world. Every single day, I was forced to live around constant reminders of the loss. It brought me into a depression. My life was in a rut.
I knew that I was never going to escape the pain of losing somebody so close, but I had to get away from the constant reminders. That’s when I decided to move to New York City and start fresh. Within days, I found myself so preoccupied with my surroundings that my life felt as though it had meaning again. I felt rejuvenated, full, and ready to take on the big city. Once more, I felt independent and strong.
Although it is still commonly believed that we can’t run away from our problems, an increasing number of people are beginning to realize that doing exactly that can be among the healthiest moves that an adult can make. Environment truly does have a significant effect on feelings and well-being. There are times when a change is just what we need to rejuvenate our mental and emotional outlook.
Traditional reasons for moving include marriage and job offers in other locations. But an increasing number of us are relocating for less traditional reasons. Many are finding solace in moving to a new area after a life-changing experience such as the death of a loved one, major job loss, or divorce. Some move to a new environment after their children grow up and leave home.
A change of environment can substantially alleviate depression and cause us to take a renewed interest in our surroundings. Someone who is living in a small community might be enlivened by moving to a place like New York City where there is always something fun and interesting to do.
Relocation Therapy is growing in popularity and could definitely be worth exploring. Depending on the circumstances, you may just find that life drastically improves as feelings of depression subside and rich, lasting relationships are formed.
Moving allowed me to cope with my pain and loss. My dear friend’s memory will always live on in me. However, instead of grieving over his loss, now I cherish the life and time that we spent together.
– Ken Torino
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