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

 

you, not me

Laura Probst Laura Probst philanthropic advisor. consultant. impactor.

Laura Probst is a philanthropic advisor and the owner of Do Good. Make Money., a consulting firm that helps companies do just that.

I feel as though I was put on this earth to serve, to make a contribution that leaves this world better than I found it. Like most people, I love the feel-good stories on the news – from the guy who saves the kid in the burning building to the Oprahs and Gates of the world who contribute millions to great causes. I think we’d all like to be one of them. Who doesn’t want to do good?

For me, for so long, I was torn: I wanted to make an impact and serve others, but felt like I had to sacrifice my own goals and be some kind of martyr to do that. I didn’t see any road in the middle. I only saw two divergent paths and felt confused about which one to be on. I was focused on memy needs, my ambitions, my wants. But in focusing on me, all I could really see was what I didn’t have, what I needed, or what I lacked. And everything I wanted all felt so far away and unattainable.

So I let it go. Instead, I embraced service. Serving you, not me. With every step, I set intentions to be of service. I focused all my energy on everyone in my life – from my best friend to my boss to the guy sitting at the bus stop. Now, every day, multiple times a day, I think about you, what you need, and then I find myself energized, inspired, and excited to help. And my service doesn’t have to be anything big – this is definitely not something I’ve mastered – but I do try … I give  a smile, an article I’ve read, an introduction. I do whatever I can to be of service and in tune with what you need.

It’s amazing to see how much I now have and how much room I’ve created for even more good – good that I couldn’t even see when I was focused on me. I’m now happier, healthier, and wealthier than I’ve ever been. I truly know that when I’m here for others I get more than I could ever have imagined.

So when I start to think about meI don’t have enough money, I’m in a bad mood, I don’t have enough time, I don’t feel good – that’s my trigger. I know then that it’s time to flip the switch and say, instead, “What do YOU need? How can I help YOU?”

I find meaning in service, and focusing on you helps me be my best.

– Laura Probst

Comments

Explore More Meaning

  • Gayle Tzemach Lemmon
    Gayle Tzemach Lemmon Gayle Tzemach Lemmon incredible woman. hard work welcomer. long shot pursuer.

    Bestselling author Gayle Tzemach Lemmon is a fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and has published pieces on entrepreneurs in conflict and post-conflict regions. [www.gaylelemmon.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]

     
  • Susannah Charleson
    Susannah Charleson Susannah Charleson wondering author. canine specialist. student of shirley.

    Susannah Charleson is the author of New York Times bestseller Scent of the Missing and, recently, The Possibility Dogs. She is a flight instructor, canine search-and-rescue specialist, and service dog trainer.

     
  • Mudimo and Jane Okondo
    Mudimo and Jane Okondo Mudimo and Jane Okondo therapists. body developers. naked communicators.

    Mudimo and Jane Okondo have been exploring well-being for over 20 years and are passionate about supporting people and communities, using a diverse toolkit that includes somatic and psychotherapeutic therapies, coaching, and creativity. [www.okwellbeing.com]

     
  • Ashley Josephine
    Ashley Josephine Ashley Josephine yoga infuser. course crafter. status quo shunner.

    Ashley Josephine has been studying yoga for five years. A writer, a traveler and a whole lot of other things, Ashley is passionate about empowering women with yoga and mindfulness based practices. [ashleyjosephine.com]

     
  • Jason Womack
    Jason Womack Jason Womack balance guru. teacher. fortune cookie writer.

    Jason Womack provides practical methods for maximizing tools, systems, and processes to achieve quality work/life balance. He's worked with leaders and executives for over 16 years in the business and education sectors. [www.womackcompany.com]

     
  • Lissa Rankin
    Lissa Rankin Lissa Rankin pink medicine revolutionary. community builder. mojo reconnector.

    Author, artist, motivational speaker, and Pink Medicine Revolutionary Lissa Rankin, MD, founded OwningPink.com, a website and workshops that build authentic community and empower women to get their mojo back. [www.linkedin.com/in/lissarankin]

     
  • David Cohn
    David Cohn David Cohn participitory journalist. community funder. spotter.

    David Cohn is the founder of Spot.Us, a nonprofit organization that fundraises for independent journalists. He's a frequent speaker on topics related to new media and beyond. [www.digidave.org]

     
  • More

Contributors

  • Simon Mainwaring
    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]

     
  • 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]

     
  • Andy Lipkis
    Andy Lipkis Andy Lipkis environmental healer. practical visionary.

    Andy Lipkis is the founder and president of TreePeople. [www.treepeople.org]

     
  • Christine Kloser
    Christine Kloser Christine Kloser herd escaper. spiritual messenger. pantyhose resister.

    Christine Kloser is a spiritual guide, award-winning author, and transformational book coach whose spot-on guidance transforms the lives of visionary entrepreneurs and authors around the world. [www.ChristineKloser.com]

     
  • Richard Wurman
    Richard Wurman Richard Wurman ted inventor. smithonian awardee. brilliant quester.

    Richard Wurman, creator of the TED conferences, wrote over 80 books on subjects he had difficulty understanding. His books come from his desire to know, rather than from already knowing. [www.TED.com]

     
  • Susan Hayden
    Susan Hayden Susan Hayden library girl. love giver. social creator.

    Susan Hayden is a mother, poet, playwright, novelist, essayist, montage artist, community builder, and grief center volunteer. She thrives on long walks and long talks, never-ending friendship, horses, Paris, good coffee, and Americana music.

     
  • Danielle LaPorte
    Danielle LaPorte Danielle LaPorte strategist. innovator. fire starter.

    Inspirational speaker and business strategist Danielle LaPorte is the creator of WhiteHotTruth.com, which helps entrepreneurs rock their careers with integrity, audacity, and their truest strengths. [www.whitehottruth.com]

     
  • Kelly Holtzclaw
    Kelly Holtzclaw Kelly Holtzclaw new media publisher. social media strategist. mythic storyteller.

    Kelly Holtzclaw is a writer, racer, and wine lover. He's the founder of Facetious VSS, an interactive agency. He writes about marketing, mythic story, and film. [www.kellyholtzclaw.com]

     
  • Bridget McManus
    Bridget McManus Bridget McManus laughter inducer. animal lover. good wife.

    Bridget McManus is recognized for her provocative and uninhibited style. She's toured the world as a stand-up comic and appeared in a number of television specials. [www.bridgetmcmanus.com]

     
  • Paul Inman
    Paul Inman Paul Inman music man. multi-platform artist. down hill skier.

    Paul Inman is a singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist, performer, poet, budding photographer and artist born and raised near Detroit, residing in Los Angeles. His performing name is Paul Inman's Delivery. [www.paulinman.net]

     
  • 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.

     
  • James Altucher
    James Altucher James Altucher super blogger. personal freedom seeker. daily assessor.

    James Altucher is a trader, investor, writer, and entrepreneur. He has published numerous books, and every day people tune into The Altucher Confidential for his words on success, happiness, and everything in between. [www.jamesaltucher.com]

     
  • Mark Hanauer
    Mark Hanauer Mark Hanauer life capturer. patience explorer. surprise welcomer.

    Photographer Mark Hanauer moves seamlessly between genres, composing evocative and compelling portraits, otherworldly meditations on flowers, visceral and striking landscapes, and imagery with no traditional description. [www.markhanauer.com]

     
  • Jenny Solar
    Jenny Solar Jenny Solar happy mom. adventure planner. champion of family.

    Jenny Solar is married to Josh and they have three kids, Max, Ava, and Lia. They created The Happy Family Movement to encourage and inspire family togetherness through memorable family experiences and simple ideas for happy family living. [www.thehappyfamilymovement.com]

     
  • Scott Dinsmore
    Scott Dinsmore Scott Dinsmore entrepreneur. coach. congruency connoisseur.

    Scott Dinsmore is an entrepreneur and coach who helps people discover passion and purpose through his coaching company, Live Your Legend, and his investment partnership, Cumbre Capital Partners. [http://liveyourlegend.net]

     
  • Stephanie Hendler
    Stephanie Hendler Stephanie Hendler wellness educator. visionary. in-person communicator.

    As co-founder of Stay Brilliant, Stephanie Hendler works to increase awareness about people living with mental anomalies. She helps create solutions for individuals' recovery through an integrated bio-psycho-social model. [www.staybrilliant.com]

     
  • Frank Ferrante
    Frank Ferrante Frank Ferrante self transformer. former addict. gratitude visitor.

    Frank Ferrante is a fifty-four year old Sicilian from Brooklyn whose journey to reclaim his life and fall in love again was the subject of a recent documentary. [May I Be Frank]

     
  • Ellen Contente
    Ellen Contente Ellen Contente love-faller. gift finder. receiver.

    Ellen Contente is an entrepreneur and a lover of many things. Through her training and coaching company, Heart-Centered Programs, she helps people live from a heart-centered place. [www.heartcenteredprograms.com]

     
  • Krizia
    Krizia Krizia host. interviewer. entrepreneuress.

    Every week, Krizia interviews some of the most successful business women and business coaches from around the world on her online show – Women Entrepreneurs HQ. [www.womenentrepreneurshq.com]

     
  • Cutter Cutshaw
    Cutter Cutshaw Cutter Cutshaw actor. mixed media artist. traveling eye.

    Actor and artist Cutter Cutshaw mixes the profane with the elegant. His mixed media approach combines original photography with digital and organic brushwork, transforming chaos into sensual portrayals. [www.cutterartandphoto.com]

     
  • Mary Jane Ryan
    Mary Jane Ryan Mary Jane Ryan Author. Speaker. Professional Thinker.

    Mary Jane Ryan is one of the creators of the bestselling Random Acts of Kindness series. She specializes in coaching high-performance entrepreneurs and leadership teams around the world. [www.mj-ryan.com]

     
  • Dmitri Leonov
    Dmitri Leonov Dmitri Leonov father. entrepreneur. abc conceptualist.

    Dmitri Leonov is an entrepreneur working to make the world a better place through technology at Sanebox.com. He spends his free time playing music and thinking about how to make the world a better place in general. [www.leonov.org]

     
  • Georgia Gwynne-Gruber
    Georgia Gwynne-Gruber Georgia Gwynne-Gruber rapper. screenwriter. devotee.

    Georgia Gwynne-Gruber was a rapper/singer in the rock band Weapons before arriving in Los Angeles to pursue screenwriting. Her science fiction trilogy Darklight is presently in development.

     
  • Barrie Osborne
    Barrie Osborne Barrie Osborne producer. human studier. tall tale teller.

    Barrie Osborne is an Oscar winning producer whose body of work includes The Matrix and The Lord of the Rings trilogy. He is currently producing the movie, Syrup, and executive producing The Great Gatsby.

     
  • Marc Sachnoff
    Marc Sachnoff Marc Sachnoff strategist. buddhist. light bearer.

    Marc Sachnoff is a television producer, entrepreneur, marketing strategist, and a practicing Buddhist. He brings the Buddha to business, combining timeless wisdom and modern technology. [www.enlightenedent.com]

     
  • Laurie Gerber
    Laurie Gerber Laurie Gerber life coach. radio show host. truthteller.

    Life coach Laurie Gerber, President of Handel Group Life Coaching, is passionate about personal development. She leads large groups, blogs regularly, and hosts a radio show. [www.handelgroup.com]

     
  • Nazim Artist
    Nazim Artist Nazim Artist holistic creator. moment reflector. paint alchemist.

    Nazim is a practicing fine artist making art within the quantum holistic paradigm. He and his wife, Celeste, have formed the Art of Wellness Collection. [www.NazimArtist.com]

     
  • Hollye Jacobs
    Hollye Jacobs Hollye Jacobs medical burrito. practical patient. blogging healer.

    Hollye Jacobs has been on both sides of the hospital bed. Via her blog, she's the girlfriend who tells you what to expect, holds your hand, and helps you find the silver linings of the breast cancer experience. [www.thesilverpen.com]

     
  • Nick Bassill
    Nick Bassill Nick Bassill self acknowledger. dream reviver. bakery investor.

    Nick Bassill is a serial entrepreneur, author, and the founder of Launch America!, a social networking, coaching, and advocacy site for start-ups and small businesses. Nick's passion is helping men and women fulfill their American Dream. [www.LaunchAmerica.org]

     
  • More

Connection


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