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
A note from Cynthia Brian
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#bethe-
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 handcarved,
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 on
Sundays 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
