MIRACLE MOMENT®
“Find a place inside where there is joy, and the joy will burn out the pain.” Joseph Campbell
A MESSAGE FROM FOUNDER/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CYNTHIA BRIAN
It’s the season to be jolly and goodness knows, we are all trying.
The Chinese have a powerful proverb that states, “If you want joy for an hour, take a nap. If you want joy for a day, go fishing, if you want joy for a year inherit a fortune, but if you want joy for a lifetime…help someone else!”
Joy is a feeling of fulfillment. It can be found at work, at home, and anywhere when you are willing to experience it.
How can we bring more joy into our lives? Start by taking one day this week to share joy with everyone you know. Offer a smile, a kind word, a compliment, help with a taxing project. Increase your offerings until you are joyful seven days a day. No need for a seventh day break. Your joy will bless them, but it will bless you more!
This Christmas, give the gift of joy and rejoice in the feeling of helping someone else to be happy.
You are the star of your own performance.
From our family to yours, have a healthy, happy, joyful Christmas.
And thank you for being part of our Be the Star You Are!® family. You are the reason for our joy!
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
DONATE: https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1504
I’m almost there
by Ruhani Chhabra
my entire life i was drowning
pushed down by my own hands
i longed to find those on the shore
craved their sweet validation
not knowing so many of them
were sinking alongside me
eventually i realized
air that held love for myself
was a much better alternative
than this bottomless, murky ocean
of meaningless negativity
my hands relinquished their hold
when i understood my flaws are just features
i was scared to appreciate
the beautiful body and strong spirit
i always looked down upon
is bringing me to the surface
and I’m almost there
Ruhani Chhabra, is a 16-year-old girl from California who is a radio host and reporter of Teenship on Express Yourself!®. She says that having the opportunity to be a radio host and reporter is the highlight of her year and she greatly appreciates the opportunities that being part of Be the Star You Are!® has granted. Ruhani enjoys writing, reading, and listening to music. When she’s older, she wants to travel around the world and teach literature. Listen to Express Yourself!® at https://www.voiceamerica.com/show/2014/express-yourself
BLESSINGS, GRACE, GRATITUDE, AND JOY OF THE SEASON!
HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!
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FAREWELL AND THANK YOU!
For almost two decades, The Reading Tub has been a literacy partner of Be the Star You Are!® publishing book reviews written by our teen volunteer Star Book Review Team. Founder and Executive Director of The Reading Tub, Terry Doherty, and Founder and Executive Director of Be the Star You Are!®, Cynthia Brian, have worked closely together throughout the years to bring literacy home to families, teachers, guardians, librarians, and all those who love books. Although the website for the books that have already been reviewed will remain available for viewing at https://thereadingtub.org/books/be-the-star-you-are/, The Reading Tub will be retiring its collaboration at the end of 2021. We want to thank Terry for her incredible devotion to literacy and our collaboration throughout the years. Bravo Terry.
But worry not! Terry’s love of reading and her passion for literacy have not waned!! She has piles of books still to read and review and will continue to share literacy tips and reading ideas through the Reading Tub’s social media, as well as via the Cybils Awards, a literacy nonprofit where she serves on the board. (http://www.cybils.com/about-the-cybils-awards) Terry initially created The Reading Tub as a hobby website, and after 20 years, is going to return to those roots.
She will be contributing to our Be the Star You Are!® newsletter so stay tuned for more. Thanks Terry for your dedication to the minds of our youth.
Reviews from Be the Star You Are!® teen volunteers will continue to be available at http://www.btsya.com/book_reviews
CANDY CANES AND PUPPY DOGS
by Karen Kitchel
Candy canes to share and plush puppies to hug were the highlights of today in kindergarten.
Each Monday and Thursday I have the distinct honor of helping these amazing students learn to read. During our time together, I get to hear their stories, and enjoy some fun times.
Because I believe Christmas is a time for sharing, everyone was given a bag of candy canes and treats which they can share with their family. To brighten their break away from school, a little puppy dog is now in their backpack.
A treasured gift I received today, in addition to many heartfelt hugs, was a framed drawing signed by each kindergartener and a beautiful towel with a beautiful saying. Many thanks to all the wonderful students and teachers.
Merry Christmas to all!
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. www.scatteringkindness.com
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EMBRACE A WORLD OF JOY!
Listen to our two empowering radio broadcasts!
- “Everything is a gift of the universe–even joy, anger, jealously, frustration, or separateness. Everything is perfect either for our growth or our enjoyment.”-Ken Keyes Jr.
MAKE A JOYFUL DIFFERENCE!
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