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
knowing
Michael Sandler
author. speaker. barefoot runner.
Through his books, lectures, and worldwide coaching, bestselling co-author Michael Sandler helps people reconnect with the earth, their inner child, and the joy and health of being alive. [www.RunBare.com]
At one point when I was riding my bicycle across the country, I got stuck in the freezing cold, in the middle of nowhere, in the dark, when suddenly the clouds peeled back, the full moon came out, and I felt as if I were wrapped in a warm blanket … that was when I fully knew I’m not alone.
We live in a truly magical world. Countless miracles take place for us every day. Rather than dismissing them, we can simply step back, take the time to witness them, and view them with child-like eyes. They’re huge billboards from the heavens, telling us we’re not alone.
This knowing or remembering that we’re not alone, that we’re here having human experiences as spiritual beings, is what’s most meaningful to me. This connection to my spiritual side has grown more meaningful over time – particularly as I started meditating and spending more time in nature – and my knowing greatly accelerated after I had a near-death experience. Every day my knowing grows stronger, as I make direct contact, plugging back in to the earth.
If I’m pulled away from that contact with my source, by the desire or need to get things done, I begin to lose touch with what’s important. What helps me snap right back is going outside, planting myself on the ground, and focusing on my breath. I take time every day to sit or lay on the earth or to go out in nature barefoot. I get child-like. This reignites my inner flame, bringing me back into connection with the joy of life and what’s really important. Getting grounded, plugging back in to the earth, settles me down, and focusing on my breath helps stop the chatter. Then I laugh, or get embarrassed that I forgot, and instantly find clarity again.
When we’re wrapped up in fear, stressed out, going from task to task, stuck in day-to-day grime, we forget about life’s meaning and how special and precious it is. We lose our child-like wonder for the world around us. We lose our knowing that we’re living through meaningful experiences and that we’re each here to do something special.
We don’t know how long we’ll live, so it’s important to do what we can each day we’re still here. I like to say that I don’t want to die with the music still inside, meaning I want to share while I’m still here. I was given a second chance at life. I want to use it as best I can.
– Michael Sandler
Explore More Meaning
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grief embracer. courageous survivor. midlife midwife.
Jennifer Boykin's vision is to "rebrand a gazillion crones." She speaks, teaches, and writes as the Creative Visionary and Chief Rabble-Rouser of the MidLife Reinvention site Life After Tampons. [www.LifeAfterTampons.com]
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musical multi-tasker. quest seeker. early starter.
Todd Murray uses both sides of his brain. He's a professional singer/songwriter and a businessman. He's a documentarian, real-estate owner/manager, co-owner of gvbradio.com, dog lover ... and he cans pickles. [www.ToddMurray.com]
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kid energizer. intake educator. action taker.
Stacey Antine, M.S., R.D. is the founder of HealthBarn USA, a leader in hands-on healthy-lifestyle education. She is also the author of Appetite for Life: The Thumbs-Up, No-Yucks Guide to Getting Your Kid to Be a Great Eater. [www.healthbarnusa.com]
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art supporter. real dreamer. voice finder.
Justin Oswald is on the board of directors at p:ear, an organization serving disadvantaged youth in Portland, Oregon. He knows how to make big dreams a reality. [www.pearmentor.org]
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artist. poet. spiritual seeker.
Cirelle Raphalian is a mother, poet, artist, and administrator. She holds a Doctor of Spiritual Science degree from Peace Theological Seminary and College of Philosophy.
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social/spiritual activist. forest preserver. bridge builder.
Jes Richardson is a social/spiritual activist whose issues change protesting the Vietnam War, working with Cesar Chavez's Farm Workers, building a bridge of hearts to Iran but who always comes from a place of love. [www.BridgeofHearts.org]
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author. speaker. goddess.
Author and speaker Agapi Stassinopoulos lectures and conducts seminars worldwide, empowering men and women to become more connected to their individual gifts. [www.thesevengoddesses.com]
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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
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