Role Models

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us, it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

Marianne Williamson got us to discover a different way to be spiritual. She re-introduced us to the power of prayer and of surrendering our work. Her approach to work, creativity and wholeness influenced the way we run our business. We highly recommend that you read Illuminata, Everyday Grace and A Return to Love.
Marianne Williamson's webpage

“Health in its essence is a higher state of consciousness….The state of wholeness is the basis of all healing. This is the state of perfect health… and this place is very near where you currently reside.”

Deepak Chopra inspires us to look at life and health from a holistic perspective to integrate body, mind and soul. Deepak’s teachings include the timeless wisdom of meditation, Ayurveda, and conscious communication, combined with the latest findings in Western medicine. On her personal journey towards perfect health - away from years of back pain, Silke got inspired by Deepak’s profound teachings and is now getting certified to practice “Perfect Health/Ayurveda” – a concept that encourages people to review every aspect of their life to transform and heal.
Find out more on: http://www.chopra.com/perfecthealth

“It is our own unwillingness to honor our negative self that keeps the shadow activated in our lives and its armor in place. We must come to terms with the fact that we are both/and, rather than either/or, the shadow and the light. We can learn to love and accept our disowned half. And when we do, the shadow will become an irrelevant concept: we’ll have no need to judge ourselves as “good” or “bad”; we’ll just be here, doing our being, involving fully and passionately in life.”

As one of the leaders in spiritual psychology or transpersonal psychology, Jacqueline Small teaches through her books, her institute and through group processes such as breathwork how we can heal our wounds and love ourselves for who we are. Her techniques are just some of many available out there, but they have touched Patricia very personally. Breathwork was the technique that got her completely healed after two years of illness and numerous unsuccessful treatments. She is now getting certified in the philosophy of soul-based psychology and integrative breathwork.
www.eupsychia.com

"Women in particular need to keep an eye on their physical and mental health, because if we're scurrying to and from appointments and errands, we don't have a lot of time to take care of ourselves. We need to do a better job of putting ourselves higher on our own 'to do' list."

Michelle Obama is top on our role model list. She is our best example of a powerful woman (not by her status but by her nature and confidence) who manages very well being a mom and the First Lady. We’re truly inspired by the fact that she gave up her career as a lawyer to become a stay-at-home mom – way before she became the First Lady. She holds values and personal time up in her list of priorities. We also like her holistic approach to health : it’s about eating natural food and a balanced diet and exercising on a regular basis. We say that if she can manage a good work/life balance, there is hope for all of us!

”So long as our relationship is defined by our differences, we will empower those who sow hatred rather than peace, and who promote conflict rather than the cooperation that can help all of our people achieve justice and prosperity. This cycle of suspicion and discord must end. I have come here to seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world; one based upon mutual interest and mutual respect; and one based upon the truth that America and Islam are not exclusive, and need not be in competition. Instead, they overlap, and share common principles – principles of justice and progress; tolerance and the dignitiy of all human beings.” From the remarks to the Muslim world, delivered on June 4, 2009 in Cairo, Egypt.

We support and admire Barack Obama for bringing hope to the American people and to the world. The changes he is committed to making fit with our values. We want to recognize him here not for his political agenda but for his communication skills and strategies. He masters the use of language and his eloquence is admirable. His political campaign has proven to be a true example of how to use social media to reach a maximum amount of people from all social backgrounds and, most of all, to get them involved. He managed an unprecedent closeness to his people. He is an example to us in his message and in his delivery.

“My philosophy is that not only are you responsible for your life, but doing the best at this moment puts you in the best place for the next moment.”

Oprah Winfrey is an ongoing source of inspiration through her work and through her magazine. We read it faithfully and learn something new with each edition. Her work is dedicated to women who want to advance and to get more out of life. How many women has she already inspired?
I got a feelin'

“Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.”

We were lucky enough to attend his conference in Lausanne in August 2009. He left an ever-lasting impression on both of us. What we really loved besides the message he delivered was his sense of humor. Such a religious figure with so much humor is refreshing! It made us feel like he was close to us and that enlightenment was within our reach. His address on peace was simple, yet so powerful: world peace starts with inner peace. We all have a part to play.

“At the center of non-violence stands the principle of love.”

His “I have a dream” speech made it around the world and back many times. He is proof of how anyone who is motivated by love can be powerful beyond what many people think possible. Despite the darkness of the times he lived in, he consistently preached non-violence and worked on building a bridge between hate and discrimination to light and integration. His work is still not complete. It is our job to put light onto our prejudices and fears. When in doubt, it’s good to recall his voice say the famous “I have a dream”.
Or to watch it on youtube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEMXaTktUfA