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
family
Yvonne Mariko Martin
matriarch. compromise advocate. wise daughter.
Yvonne Mariko Martin is an accomplished educator in the field of adult education and special needs. She advocates for and gives voice to those who have yet to learn to speak for themselves.
My family has our ups and downs, but we stay connected. We support each other. If there were more connection and support among families all over the world maybe we’d have less conflict. Maybe we’d try to understand each other more and compromise instead of wanting to have our way all the time. Compromise is not defeat. Compromise is both sides giving in a little to have something good you can both live with.
Holding my family dear, being engaged and involved with my family is a tradition my mother passed on to me and I’ll pass on to my children. My mother moved in with me ten years ago, after my father died. She was rather healthy for a 73- year-old, but has gradually become more disabled. She has a rare form of muscle deterioration. I see her transforming, and I see extreme bravery and courage in the face of her rare disease.
I can’t recall one particular incident where I’ve witnessed my mother’s bravery. It’s a progression over time. It’s in the constancy of her emotions. Sure, there are times when she feels depressed or angry, but I see so much more of the positive stuff, of determination and not giving up. It’s pretty inspiring to see that every day.
Of course, I have tough days, too. Everyone does. I do the best I can in those situations. To get through, I write in my journal and reflect on what I’ve done during the day and how I’ve affected people.
First, I write down what I received on this particular day. Maybe it was a “Hi” or a hug or a handshake. It could be good or bad. Then I write down what I gave. Hopefully, it’s something good. Maybe it was a smile, or a pat on the back, or sharing a laugh with someone. Then I write down what trouble I caused. Did I make someone angry? Maybe I had a fight with my mom or said something I regret to a friend or co-worker. Writing those things down makes me aware. Finally, I write down what I’m grateful for. It’s usually the same things: my family, my job, my home, my cat, my friends. I’m grateful that I’m grateful.
Keeping track of such things is like self-therapy. I do it at night, going through my whole day. It’s a way of boosting myself, of making me feel like I’m an okay person. I always feel that there’s room for improvement, but I also see how nice today was.
– Yvonne Mariko Martin
Your Turn
Explore More Meaning
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writer. single mom. awakened soul.
Dawn Garcia is a writer, screenwriter, editor, single mom, believer of dreams, beauty, truth, and hope. Since the moment she could put pen to paper she knew she had found her purpose. [www.atodmagazine.com]
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polarity balancer. nature telepath. emotion revitalizer.
Visionary Award-winner Kaitlyn Keyt is known as a tree-talking intuitive scientist, spending her time interviewing nature for the answers to life's big questions. She founded VibesUP, a resource for Vibrational Energy education. [www.VibesUP.com]
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unbinder. love giver. greek goddess.
Inspiring teacher and published author Agapi Stassinpoulos conducts seminars worldwide for men and women, empowering them to recognize their individual gifts and create the lives they want. [www.unbindingtheheart.com]
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vegan chef. author. king of yummy.
Tal Ronnen is a chef, cookbook author, and teacher. He started the Veg Advantage program, which helps food-service operators integrate vegetarian options into their daily operations. [www.talronnen.com]
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songwriter. producer. elephant groover.
Miss Kristin is a prolific songwriter/music producer and the CEO of her own music label, Big Fuss Records. Kristin thrives when extending her hands to help others reach their dreams. [http://misskristin.com]
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developmental psychologist. synthesizer. door opener.
Dr. Gordon Neufeld is a Vancouver-based developmental psychologist with 40 years of experience with children and youth and those responsible for them. [www.gordonneufeld.com]
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teacher. natural innovator. clementine artist.
Teacher, natural products innovator, and founder of Clementine Art, Diana Mercer works in pursuit of a world where all children are artists even after they grow up. [www.clementineart.com]
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writer. speaker. empowerer.
Chris Cade is a spiritual author, speaker, impassioned parent, entrepreneur, and professional empowerment artist enabling people to discover their innate joy, peace, and abundance. [www.chriscade.com]
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