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NEWSLETTER - February 2003

It is not now, and has never been, our intention to send this free newsletter to anyone who does not want it.  If you received this in error, please respond with "REMOVE" on the subject line.  Forward this to anyone who you think may be interested in its contents.  If this was forwarded to you, and you want to receive it monthly, reply with "SUBSCRIBE" in the subject line. Visit our web site at http://www.bethestaryouare.org.  Please note, by responding to this email, you do not reach the charity.  To reach Cynthia Brian directly, email her at cynthia@bethestaryouare.org. Thank you.

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DARE TO DREAM
By Cynthia Brian
© 2003

Happiness is doing what you love and loving what you do. The bigger your dream, the brighter your future. As a success coach and consultant, I am often asked, "How can I live my dream?"  In my book, Be the Star You Are!™ (sales benefit this charity), I present 99 gifts or lessons to help you live, love, laugh, and learn to make a difference every day. Make 2003 your best year ever as you strive to shine your own star. Here are the steps to living your dreams.

Dream the Dream:
If you don't already know what your dream is, the best way to find out is to brainstorm what you love in life. What are you really, really good at? What do you love to do? If you knew you couldn't fail, what would you try? Write everything down on paper.

Write the Plan:
You can't get where you want to get unless you know where you are going. You must consider ways you can create the reality of your dream. Make a list of what you will need to do, where you will need to go, and how you will do it.

Get the Skills you Need:
Talent and skills are different. Everyone is born with innate talents but skills are learned and developed. Get educated, take a class, find the mentor, learn your trade. Then you can blend your talent with your new skills.

Go into Action:
It's up to you to make "it" happen. Don't expect your doorbell to ring with the offer of a lifetime. You'll need to pound the pavement, send out the resumes, proposals, and manuscripts. Join organizations that may need your services, network with everyone you know, share your dream.

Find Support:
Surround yourself with people who support your desires and believe in your ability to prevail. Just one person is enough to start with. Hire a coach who will be your greatest advocate. You need a champion you can depend on. No one ever succeeds alone.

Believe in Yourself:
No plan can succeed if you lack faith in yourself. Trust in yourself and all the possibilities the universe offers. Conceive, believe. Achieve.

Once you have developed your plan, stop worrying about things you can't control. Work hard, but remember to enjoy the moment. You have a dream and you have a strategy. Now follow it.

DREAM BIG!

OUR MISSION:

Be the Star You Are!™ is a library of books and other media donated to youth at risk to raise their skills and self esteem to improve their daily lives. This media ranges from education and advisement to inspiration and guidance which covers every aspect of life from abuse through money management. Be the Star You Are!™ has no religious or political agendas or affiliations as it caters to the literate and illiterate by providing audio tapes and videos as well as books to give these kids a head start in their lives so they can beat the odds.

MIRACLE MOMENT

CONGRATULATIONS

Our program coordinator, Pat Hallberg, was nominated for the Threads of Hope Award sponsored by Diablo Magazine for her outstanding service as a volunteer for Be the Star You Are!™.  Pat has worked tirelessly for the past three years to serve our community through our charity programs. She has been our reader at juvenile hall with our "Reading Spells Success" program and it is because of her efforts that our numerous beneficiaries receive their cartons of books, tapes, CD's, and videos on time. Bravo, Pat, thank you for your constant and continued assistance. You are a winner.

THANKS FOR DONATIONS:

Our appreciation to the following companies and individuals for their recent donations:

* Sounds True Publishing donated over 900 new CD’s, tapes, and videos for our next distribution.
* The Niche Syndicate donated three boxes of text books for early learning.
* Jason Vinet of Sunny Express (510-264-3980) generously ships our resources to our local beneficiaries.
* Wayne Repich of Vanguard Financial, Ltd. (925-279-1100 ext. 17) provided the funds for the Be the Star You Are!™ ad in the Diablo Magazine Charitable Events Calendar.

ANOTHER THANK YOU! Thanks to Kim Carlson, our amazing web site and newsletter coordinator. She has wrangled her brother, Scott Thorson, to send out our newsletters and we want to take this opportunity to thank him as well. Kim is constantly on top of every detail, always cheerful, and ready to aid our charity with her expertise. She and Scott both live in the State of Washington and we appreciate their long distance assistance in every way. Thank you, Kim and Scott. (Don't forget Kim also does accounting and tax returns so if you need some bookkeeping work, contact her at KimCarlson@Accountech.com)

STILL LOOKING….

Our charity is in need of a small table top copy machine. Ours died recently so if you have a copy machine to donate, please contact us.

We are also seeking a volunteer who has experience writing grants. We specifically want someone who has had success in getting grants and is willing to spend time volunteering to garner a grant for the charity. Call 925-376-7126.

DISTRIBUTION OUTREACH RE-ORGANIZED:

Pat Hallberg is training Rey de Borja to be our new program coordinator. Welcome to Rey - we know you'll do a terrific job! Our next resource delivery is scheduled for April with distribution to beneficiaries including:

*Boys and Girls Club
*Bay Area Crisis Nursery
*Born Free Program (Teen pregnancies and babies)
*Northern California Family Center SAFE PLACE (runaway teens and crisis center)
*Community Substance Abuse Center (alcohol and substance abuse)
*Youth Industry
*Children's Hospital Reach Out and Read
*ILSP Independent Living
*Juvenile Hall Auxiliary (kids-at-risk)
*Bedtime Readers
*Concord Youth Center
*Chris Adams Girls Center (troubled girls)
*The Orin Allen Youth Rehabilitation Facility
*The Edgar Transition Center (Teens)
*The Summit Center (forgotten young people)
*Family Stress Center
*Family Support Center
*Native American Life Skills Center, Wisconsin
*Camp Kimble for Kids

EASY WAYS TO SUPPORT THIS CHARITY

PURPOSE: Be the Star You Are!™ is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation that collects and distributes books and other positive media to youth at risk as a way to raise their life skills and self esteem. This media ranges from education and advisement to inspiration and guidance and covers every aspect of life, from abuse through money management.  Be the Star You Are!™ is an ALL volunteer organization that operates through contributions, in-kind donations, and proceeds from fund-raising events.  Be the Star You Are!™  does not receive state or federal funding and is solely dependent on contributions from the community and corporations. Be the Star You Are!™ has no religious or political agendas or affiliations.

Be the Star You Are!™ believes that information infused with inspiration has the power to transform and change lives. Be the Star You Are!™ is a library of books and other media that empower youth at risk to improve their daily lives. Be the Star You Are!™ is committed to providing positive role models for kids to help them grow into valued citizens. Through its newsletters, web site, radio, TV, and READING SPELLS SUCCESS literacy outreach programs, Be the Star You Are!™ promotes and distributes its ever-growing list of informative positive videos, tapes and books to young audiences who would otherwise never obtain these materials. Recipients of Be the Star You Are!™ products and services include other non profit youth at risk groups, juvenile hall facilities, youth camps and children's hospitals. 

In an era when violence and skepticism dominate the airwaves, Be the Star You Are!™ charity offers a refreshing, welcome alternative helping kids beat the odds encouraging the American Dream.  

Be the Star You Are!™ is making a difference in the lives of many people and their communities. We need your support to help us empower youth and to continue the numerous services we provide.

Here are SIMPLE ways you can help and have fun doing it: (All donations are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.)

* Send a tax deductible contribution or offer a monetary tribute or memoriam to a loved one.
* Purchase any of these books: "Be the Star You Are!™ 99 Gifts for Living, Loving, Laughing, and Learning to Make a Difference", "The Business of Show Business", and "Chicken Soup for the Gardener's Soul". Every time you purchase this book at a store, you are making a contribution to this charity. When you purchase the books directly through the charity, we get an even bigger contribution, so consider buying through our order form at the bottom of the page. These books are also available for fundraisers and corporate premium sales at a discount to your organization or company. Call the charity offices at 925-376-7126 or by email, info@bethestaryouare.org.
* Donate air miles.
* Donate your vehicle, boat, or trailer, running or not,…call us, we’ll do all the work for you! 
* Donate goods that can be auctioned off at an event.  
* Sponsor an event making Be the Star You Are!™ the charitable beneficiary.
* Ask your company to match your donation or make a contribution.
* Volunteer time. 
* Donate books, tapes and CD's from your own library that you don't want anymore.
* Become a Benefactor.
* Establish A Charitable Giving Account with an Investment Firm in the name of Be the Star You Are!™.

Please join our galaxy of Stars and support Be the Star You Are!™ with your contributions and/or ask your company to be on our team. Visit the web site at www.bethestaryouare.org for more information. Please send your checks to:

Be the Star You Are!™
PO Box 376
Moraga, California 94556.

We can be reached at 877-944-STAR or 925-376-7126. You will receive a receipt for your tax deductible donation.  Credit card contributions and purchases are accepted.

Thank you from the volunteers at Be the Star You Are!™. 

A MESSAGE FROM OUR FOUNDER:

Our children witness too much violence in today's society. Some experience it first hand, others watch it on TV, while others enjoy violent video games. Since Be the Star You Are!™ charity provides positive, life-affirming resources for youth at risk, I wanted to offer you the potential warning signs of violence in children, sometimes beginning with cruelty to animals. Most surprising is that vicious behavior may begin as young as age three. If you know the warning signals, you can take action to stop the harmful conduct before it becomes a life pattern. This material was excerpted from a collaborative project of the American Psychological Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics. Love, cherish and respect your children and hopefully, together we can help the children of our communities grow into thriving, self-confident citizens.

Potential Warning Signs of Violence in Children
Parents whose children show the signs listed below should discuss their concerns with a psychologist who may help them understand the children and suggest ways to prevent violent behavior.

Warning Signs in the Toddler and Preschool Child:
*Has many temper tantrums in a single day or several lasting more than 15 minutes, and often cannot be calmed by parents, family members or other care-givers
*Has many aggressive outbursts, often for no reason
*Extremely active, impulsive and fearless
*Consistently refuses to follow directions and listen to adults
*Does not seem attached to parents. For example does not touch, look for, or return to parents in strange places
*Is cruel to pets
*Frequently watches violence on television, engages in play that has violent themes or is cruel toward other children.

Warning Signs in the School-Aged Child:
*Has trouble paying attention and concentrating
*Often disrupts classroom activities
*Does poorly in school
*Frequently gets into fights with other children in school
*Reacts to disappointments, criticism, or teasing with extreme and intense anger, blame or revenge
*Watches many violent television shows and movies or plays a lot of violent video games
*Has few friends and is often rejected by other children because of his or her behavior
*Makes friends with other children known to be unruly or aggressive
*Consistently does not listen to adults
*Is not sensitive of the feelings of others
*Is cruel or violent towards pets or animals
*Is easily frustrated.

Warning Signs in the Pre-Teen or Teenage Adolescent:
*Consistently does not listen to authority figures
*Pays no attention to the feelings or rights of others
*Mistreats people and seems to rely on physical violence or threats of violence to solve problems
*Cruel to animals, birds, and pets
*Often expresses the feeling that life has treated him or her unfairly
*Does poorly in school and often skips class
*Misses school frequently for no identifiable reason
*Gets suspended from or drops out of school
*Joins a gang, gets involved in fighting, stealing, or destroying property
*Drinks alcohol and/or uses inhalants or drugs.

May 2003 be a healthy, happy, and informative year for you. We hope you’ll want to participate by making a donation or getting involved with our charity. The volunteers and donors of Be the Star You Are!™ are working diligently to make this a better world. Won’t you join us?

Happy Valentine's Day! Love is life. It does make the world go 'round!

With gratitude,

Cynthia Brian
Founder
Be the Star You Are!™
PO Box 376
Moraga, Ca. 94556
877-944-STAR
http://www.bethestaryouare.org

Cynthia Brian is the Founder and President of Be the Star You Are!™ Please visit www.bethestaryouare.org for biographical information. Be the Star You Are!™ a 501(c)(3) non profit

SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

Our Founder, Cynthia Brian is a professional speaker lecturing internationally on the philosophies of Be the Star You Are!™ If you are seeking an energetic and passionate motivational speaker for your next conference or event, consider booking through our charity office. Here is a listing of upcoming events where Cynthia Brian is speaking:

January 30, 2003: Catholic School Celebration Breakfast. 8:30 am in Sacramento, California, 1201 K. Street. Cynthia will speak on “Making a Difference”. For more info contact Lynette Magnino 916-733-0118.

Sunday, March 2 from 1-3pm, Carlsbad Book Company, 5630 Paseo Del Norte #127, Carlsbad, CA 92008. For more info call 1-760-804-0467.

Tuesday, March 4, 2002, 12:30 p.m.  North County Woman & My Time Magazines and AM 1320/ KKSM /Encourage Mint Radio are proud sponsors of the "Cyn-sational Cynthia" event. Heritage Hall, 2650 Garfield St., Carlsbad, CA. 92008.  Special: a sixty minute motivational seminar on the subject of How To Be the Star You Are!™ Cost: $5.00. I Limited seating. RSVP Encourage Mint Radio 1-760-754-1954.

Wednesday, March 5th at 1PM. Be the Star You Are!™ Seminar for The Leadership Program, Lipinsky Hospitality Center, Student Services West Building, Room 1602D on the San Diego State University Campus. For more info, contact 619-594-1042.

Wednesday, March 5th at 3pm, San Diego State University Bookstore located on the SDSU campus. For more information you may call Susan Schiele at 619-594-7528.

March 6, 2003, Barnes and Noble in Encinitas at 7Pm.  1040 El Camino Real, Encinitas, CA. For more information call 1-760-943-6400.

April 4-6, 2003, Albany, New York, The 18^th Annual International Humor Conference on the Positive Power of Humor, Hope, and Healing. Presentations of Be the Star You Are!™, The Business of Show Business, and Dream it! Do It!. For info and reservations, call 1-518-587-0362 or visit http://www.humorproject.com .