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
blowtorch
Sarah Seidelmann
life coach. physician. light source.
Author and life coach Sarah Seidelmann, MD, is a Board-Certified physician who left her practice to live out her destiny. In her work, she loves to ask, "How good are you willing to let it get?" [http://whatthewalrusknows.com]
At the age of 19 I was diagnosed with malignant melanoma. It dawned on me that if I might die very soon I should definitely enjoy what was left of my life. It was a lucky break. I realized that life was meant for living. The timing could not have been more perfect.
I extracted myself from the pre-med madness of the college library and re-focused on people again: being with people, socializing, connecting, goofing off, and playing. It was a wondrous time.
When I entered medical school, my new way of living was challenged. But something inside had shifted. I knew on an atomic level that it was my purpose to live my life like a torch, burning brightly.
I managed to go through medical school and residency without too much of my light being snuffed out. Slowly, as my own family grew (to include four amazing children) and as my practice grew, I became disconnected again. My life became complicated and I became less illuminated.
Having had one fortuitous shift at 19, I was able to catch myself at 43, take a sabbatical, and realign my focus. Now, after much internal seeking, I’m back to living my life as a torch. In fact, my torchlight feels stronger and brighter than ever before. Some days, I even feel like a blowtorch.
In my daily experience, I see a lot of people seeking light. Some are starving for it. But thinking we lack light is an illusion. We can always choose light. Connection. Hugs. A call to a friend. Music. Petting a dog. We’re all potential blowtorches. That potential is not only in some of us – it’s in everyone.
One of the fastest ways to recharge my blowtorch and feel connected is by spending time in nature. While it might appear that I’m alone there, I’m actually in the wonderful company of stars, squirrels, trees, Great Lakes, and much more – all rippling and swelling together.
I’m moving toward a place of even greater ease, of burning courageously as that blowtorch, moving along my path, doing what I came here to do. This next internal shift might just look like spectacular northern lights – strange, wondrous, and magical.
– Sarah Seidelmann
Explore More Meaning
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character enthusiast. rollerblader. applause inducer.
Hayley Holmes has turned her love for entertaining into a dream come true in Hollywood. She's a small-town girl who looks for new adventures every day and is enjoying the ride. [www.hayleyholmes.com]
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author. entrepreneur. playful brit.
Mark Simmons is an author, branding expert, and entrepreneur who believes in the power of ideas to change the world. He founded the social enterprise useless.org. [www.useless.org]
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infant toddler development specialist. educator. educarer.
Elizabeth Memel is an infant toddler development specialist, adult educator, and author who studied for many years with Magda Gerber, founder of Resources for Infant Educarers. [www.authenticbabies.com]
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trainer. leadership networker. dharma journeyer.
Eric Leider is a college senior studying economics at Occidental College and the founder of LeaderLife, a social media company that focuses on mind, body, and soul integration. [www.twitter.com/LeaderLife_1]
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clever collaborator. supportive woman. gender applauder.
Alison Armstrong is a nationally-known educator and expert on understanding men and the CEO and co-founder of PAX Programs Inc. She created the widely acclaimed Celebrating Men, Satisfying Women workshop. [www.understandmen.com]
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learning expert. author. mental athlete.
Jim Kwik is the founder of Kwik Learning. He's taught memory improvement, speed-reading, and accelerated learning skills for almost two decades, to learners from more than 60 nations. [www.kwiklearning.com]
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friends alumna. folk singer. harmonic connector.
Maggie Wheeler is a mother, actress, voice-over artist, and co-director of the Golden Bridge Community Choir. Through her vocal workshop, Singing In The Stream, she invites people to step into to the joy of singing in community. [www.maggiewheeler.net]
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philosopher. author. integral theorist.
Ken Wilber is a philosopher, mystic, author, and the originator of Integral Theory, in which the insights of mysticism, science, and systems theory come together to form a coherent picture of the Kosmos. [www.kenwilber.com]
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