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
find joy
Melissa Francis
tv host. satisfied customer. car washin' smiler.
Melissa Francis, author of Diary of a Stage Mother's Daughter, hosts two daily business shows on the Fox Business Network, including Money with Melissa Francis. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from Harvard University. [www.melissafrancisofficial.com]
What brings me joy? That’s the question I ask when I’m trying to connect with what’s meaningful. Often I see other people getting hung up on what others around them have. Is another co-worker getting an unfair advantage? Is that person getting ahead of me, in line or in life? If you’re an achiever, a certain amount of comparing may be healthy, but relentless competition robs your life of joy and meaning. In today’s society it happens too much and breeds misery. Ask yourself, if that other person didn’t exist, would I be satisfied with what I have and who I am?
I take it one step further and ask myself, what would bring me real joy right now? It’s usually about hugging my sons or spending time with my husband. Last weekend, we piled everyone in the car and went to the car wash. My sons cheered as the bubbles tumbled onto my filthy car. They jumped up and down when the hoses sprayed my car with water, liberating a month’s worth of crusty gunk. Their squeals of delight brought a smile to every face in line.
With small kids, joy can be a layup. But this approach works at the office, too. If I can make my audience think and laugh, I’ve found meaning and joy. In a way, it’s a shame that I have to remind myself to by joyful and find meaning, but that’s why God invented post-its!
– Melissa Francis
Explore More Meaning
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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.
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strategist. apple expert. simplifier.
Rob Wensing co-founded Strategy Day, a one-day strategy process for leaders and their core teams that produces team alignment. He's appeared in various media outlets as an expert on Apple. [http://about.me/robwensing]
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honesty seeker. brilliance infuser. really great mom.
A go-getter in all endeavors, motivational speaker January L'Angelle likes to stir up trouble. She writes and directs films and co-founded Stay Brilliant, an organization working to better the lives of people living with mental anomalies. [www.staybrilliant.com]
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inner connector. country hopper. boredom fighter.
Stephen Light lives to serve. He loves who he is, and this has allowed him to love others. He serves people finding their inner love and letting it shine out. [www.peopleactiv.com]
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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]
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jet-setting exec. family guy. man of god.
Wrenwyck Williams has been a highly sought-after corporate executive for the past 27 years and has served as president and CEO of multi-million dollar corporations. He is a devoted husband and father to two beautiful daughters. [www.babyfoodbook.net/book]
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military daughter. spontaneous adventurer. student of life.
College freshman Maurina Scott is the daughter of an active duty military member. She has moved frequently, lived overseas, and embraced a life of exploration. Her dad recently returned from a seven-month deployment in Afghanistan. [www.twitter.com/Maurina_Scott]
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storyteller. question asker. catalyst.
Antonio Neves is an award-winning broadcast journalist and the founder of THINQACTION, where he coaches young professionals to transform potential into performance. [www.thinqaction.com]
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