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Writer's pictureCynthia Brian

Courage to Continue

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May 17, 2021Courage to Continue! Get Vaccinated. Life is Precious. MIRACLE MOMENT® “It takes great courage to see the world in its tainted glory and still love it.” Oscar Wilde

Spring ushers a sentiment of hope, optimism, and opportunity. The population of our planet have endured fifteen long months of the Covid-19 pandemic, social distancing, mask wearing, isolation, civic unrest, political polarity, and so many devastating deaths. Yet, we all can see the glimmer of light at the end of the dark tunnel. Nature has blossomed, the weather has warmed, and as people get vaccinated we ensure the safety of our families, friends, and neighbors. Employment is picking up and the economy is growing. In an effort to keep art and culture alive. throughout the pandemic, Be the Star You Are!® pivoted our two radio broadcasts to showcase the talents of actors, artists, authors, poets, musicians, and other performers who had lost their ability to be in front of an audience as all venues closed and went dark. Creatives add the fun and entertainment to our lives and recovery means bringing back the arts. As an actor and author who also lost the ability to work during this crisis, I fully empathized with my colleagues. My spirit was enhanced this week when I was cast and acted in the new Nash Bridges movie shooting in San Francisco. It was my first time being back on a film set since February 2020 when I worked in Venom 2. Every protective protocol was followed including pre-testing, temperature taking, social distancing, mask wearing for the full shoot, except between the words “action” and “cut”. Despite the colder weather and long hours, everyone felt blessed to be working and doing what they do best. What many people who have binge-watching TV this past year don’t realize is that Covid didn’t only take away employment from the actors, but from every crew member in every department from lighting, grip and electric, sound, wardrobe, hair and make-up, production assistants, art, craft services, camera, assistant directors, location managers, film production, agents, casting, drivers, stunts, props, music, and all the rest of the individuals who work in those credits that you see rolling at the end of a TV show or film. SAG/AFTRA has been at the forefront of negotiating to get everyone back to work safely. Although the impact of the pandemic will be with us for a long time and we must remain vigilant to stay healthy, we can be optimistic that we will slowly return to a new normal. Read below how Be the Star You Are!® volunteers are creating beauty and meaning in their lives during these difficult times. If you want great books to read for yourself or your children, check out the hundreds of book reviews by our Star Book Review Team on our creative site at http://www.btsya.com/book_reviews.html. Also read book reviews at our literacy partner, The Reading Tub at https://thereadingtub.org/books/be-the-star-you-are/ . Until then, be courageous. I am grateful for the vaccine and encourage you to get your shot as soon as possible. Continue living gracefully. Life is Beautiful! Smell the roses! Blessings to you, Cynthia Brian Founder/Executive Director Be the Star You Are!® PO Box 376 Moraga, California 94556 Cynthia@BetheStarYouAre.org https://www.BetheStarYouAre.org http://www.BTSYA.org P.S. I am grateful and very honored to be included in the Points of Light Inspiration Honor Roll, celebrating individuals that have inspired others throughout the year and have demonstrated a commitment to create positive change. This is a lovely tribute. https://www.pointsoflight.org/inspirationhonorroll2021/ DONATE: https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1504 TEEN VOLUNTEER STARTS BOOK CLUB My name is Samantha Reed and I have recently started a book club in the Wake County Area of North Carolina. Our club is open to high school students in and around the Wake County area, and we focus on all genres of books. I have always loved reading, and found it one of my main ways I have helped cope with the lockdown. We started this club to share our love for reading in a fun environment. I have found that most people associate books with schoolwork, or have only read assigned books, and that is why they do not enjoy reading. I wanted people to be able to experience other genres and immerse themselves in the worlds that I have come to love. It always makes me happy when one of my friends who hasn't read for fun in years tells me how much they loved my book recommendation. The club has helped me do this, as well as connect with people from all over Wake County. Reading is a great way to have interesting discussions with people you have never met. Over the past few weeks we have set up an instagram account, reached out to friends, and talked with other people who have started book clubs. My hope is that people will want to get involved in the community as a club, and extend our activities beyond just discussing books. Samantha Reed is a volunteer with the Be the Star You Are!® Book Review Team program , and is a high school freshman who devotes time to work with volunteer sites to inspire others to read and write. Samantha started a book club in North Carolina called The Page Turners in hopes of creating a community of high school students who love to read, write, and give back to the community. CYNTHIA BRIAN, BTSYA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR HONORED BY POINTS OF LIGHT Founder and Executive Director of Be the Star You Are!®, Cynthia Brian is recognized and featured on the @PointsofLight Inspiration Honor Roll. The Points of Light Honor Roll celebrates outstanding individuals who take action to help brighten communities and improve the lives of others. Since 1999, Cynthia Brian has dedicated her untiring leadership to Be the Star You Are!® and its volunteers without pay but plenty of passion. The George W. Bush Points of Light Awards honor those who demonstrate the power of service and who are driving significant and sustained impact through their everyday actions and words that light the path for other points of light. Visit the 2021 Honor Roll and meet the honorees https://www.pointsoflight.org/inspirationhonorroll2021/. Congratulations Cynthia. This is well-deserved. SHOPPING? We have suggestions for you to shop, save, and stay safe. Please use these web sites for all of your shopping essentials. 1. AmazonSmile donates .5% of purchases https://smile.amazon.com/ch/94-3333882 2. Discounted books at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shops/be_the_star_you_are_charity 3. Giving Assistant: Shop. Earn. Give! Use Giving Assistant to earn cash at 3500+ popular online stores :https://givingassistant.org/np#be-the-star-you-are-inc 4. Shop at over 1300 stores on IGIVE: http://www.iGive.com/BTSYA 5. Buy “Read, Lead, Succeed” black tanks and books at StarStyle® Store: http://www.starstylestore.net/ 6. Are you a gamer, lover of new software, or other digital content? Buy all of your favorites at Humble Bundle. http://ow.ly/cYs130iN6n4 Continue to be Courageous! DONATE VIA PAYPAL DONATE VIA GIVEBUTTER IN LOVE WITH LOVE! by Swakemyua Muhammad Es otro día en el paraíso, mi amor. Eres tan hermoso. Tu tiempo es precioso. Tu eres mi mundo. Eres mi corozon. Eres mi vida. Yo vivo por ti. Te amo. My name is Swakemyua Muhammad born and raised in Oakland California. I am a Poet, a Farmer and an Entrepreneur in women’s fashion. Three of my long time favorite activities as I grew up was and still is reading, writing and critical thinking. I have a passion for compassion towards humanity. As Founder and Designer of Sexy With A Kiss, one of my personal goals in life is to educate and empower through infinitely stimulating the worlds senses with quantum cognitive linguistics. Instagram: Sexywithakisslove Facebook: sexy with a kiss Walking among the stunning natural red rock formations in Sedona, Arizona is like experiencing beautiful works of art come to life. Early morning hikes provide solitude with an occasional chirping melody or gentle breeze. Prickly pear cactus, often seen along the way, add a sense of uniqueness. While hiking to Boynton Canyon, the magical sounds of a flute player can be heard coming from the summit. A kind gentleman makes it his life’s purpose to bring incredible music to these spiritual grounds. Before travelers depart, he gives each person the gift of a hand-carved, red stone heart which he creates. His wish, like ours, is simply to scatter kindness everywhere we go. Karen Kitchel who penned two chapters in the book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World, is the Kindness Coordinator volunteer with BTSYA. She serves meals to the homeless and is a volunteer teacher, writer, job coach, and mentor. (Photo by Larry Teckenbrock) www.scatteringkindness.com EDU_TAINMENT WITH BE THE STAR YOU ARE! RADIO LIVE on Wednesdays from 4-5pm PT, be entertained, informed, amused, and educated on StarStyle-Be the Star You Are!. Then be inspired and motivated onSundays from 3-4pm PT, it's Express Yourself! Teen Radio with our Be the Star You Are! star teen hosts and reporters. You'll meet authors, actors, artists, activists, musicians, poets, scientists, educators, and other creatives. Enjoy our upbeat, authentic, and fun radio parties on the Voice America Network Empowerment Channel or wherever you like to listen. Visit https://www.StarStyleRadio.com for our line-up of guests. DIRECT LINKS Positive Results: https://www.bethestaryouare.org/positive-results About Us: https://www.bethestaryouare.org/about_us Programs: https://www.bethestaryouare.org/programs How to Help: https://www.bethestaryouare.org/how-to-help Blog: https://www.bethestaryouare.org/blog-1 Events: https://www.bethestaryouare.org/events Contact us: https://www.bethestaryouare.org/contact Be the Star You Are! 501 c3 PO Box 376 Moraga, California 94556 https://www.BetheStarYouAre.org




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