MIRACLE MOMENT®
“Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.” ~ Dalai Lama
A MESSAGE from Founder/Executive Director, CYNTHIA BRIAN
This week I was given a gift of a welcome sign with removable magnets that depicted various American holidays and festivities. In the package were a star, Christmas tree, turkey, Halloween pumpkin, Easter bunny, even a football, baseball, and hamburger. The magnet for this week is a leprechaun in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. (See above photo) As immigrants to California, the couple who gave me this charming present said they felt welcomed by me and wanted to show their gratitude with this wooden plague. Their generous gesture touched my heart. One thing I’ve learned throughout my global travels is that no matter what our differences are in culture, language, food, music, or ideology, we all want the same thing. We want to love, be loved, appreciate, and be appreciated.
Be the Star You Are!® welcomes the numerous new volunteers that have arrived in 2024 and thanks the hundreds of others who have continued their service with BTSYA to make this world a happier, more literate, informed and kinder planet. We are in our 25th year as an ALL-VOLUNTEER charity. Make sure to check out the book reviews orchestrated by our wonderful coordinator, Stephanie, at http://www.btsya.com/book_reviews. Tune into our two radio broadcasts wherever you listen to podcasts or visit www.BetheStarYouAreRadio.com to discover more.
Spring is a time of rebirth and rejuvenation. Life is full of choices.
Make today the day that you choose to be kind, considerate, and inclusive. Kindness begets kindness.
As an Irish blessing suggests, ““May your troubles be less, and your blessings be more.”
With gratitude for your support.
Sending love and peace,
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Cynthia Brian
Founder/Executive Director
Be the Star You Are!®
PO box 376
Moraga, California 94556
DONATE: https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1504
BE THE STAR YOU ARE!® RATED TOP NONPROFIT FOR 2024
Be the Star You Are!® 501 c3 charity, in its 25th year of service to the community, country, and world, is one of the first winners of the 2024 Top-Rated Awards from Great Non Profits. BTSYA is honored and grateful to volunteers, donors, supporters, and the general public for this esteemed recognition. Julia writes:
“Be The Star You Are has completely changed my life and is one of the most positive, supportive communities I have ever been part of. As a host of Express Yourself! Teen Radio, a BTSYA radio program, my communication and teamwork skills have grown beyond where I’d ever believed they could go. Cynthia Brian and the other amazing teens have given me the confidence to believe that my voice is valuable…” Read more inspiring stories https://greatnonprofits.org/org/be-the-star-you-are-inc
TEENS TUTOR TEENS
Are you looking for a talented tutor: FREE tutoring for kids and teens through our partner, Teens Tutor Teens. Highly motivated high school students will personally tutor anyone grades K-12. Once a student requests to be tutored, the student or parents will be contacted by a tutor to set up meetings. FREE and a much needed resource. Visit TTT and tell them that Be the Star You Are!® referred you.
Listen to a radio interview with our Express Yourself!™ Teen host, Keerthi, and the President of TTT Georgia, Meryl. You’ll be inspired to take advantage of this wonderful FREE outreach program for tutoring for any subject for ages kindergarten-grade 12. https://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/149294/teen-life-and-teens-tutor-teens
SPRING: A TESTAMENT TO THE HUMAN SPIRIT
by Britney Phan
My yearning for spring grows as I find myself looking forward to the changing of the seasons. The word “spring” evokes a feeling of rejuvenation and contemplation. Longer days, warmer temperatures—lazy afternoons imbued with the satisfaction of a day well spent. Most notable of all is the unwavering sense of optimism which seems to permeate the air as the flowers start to bloom: the world begins to regain its color. You walk along the street and there is life to be seen, kids spending their day at the playground or teenagers hanging around outside.
The rise of technology hasn’t yet eroded the human desire to bask in the sunlight. Once during a stroll through my neighborhood I stumbled across a group of kids weaving their fingers amidst the sun. What does spring mean to me? The season is a testament to the enduring human spirit; a time for us to take a deep breath, evaluate, and recognize that, similar to the way the Earth transforms after the long and dark winter, we, too, are capable of great change.
Britney Phan, a volunteer writer with BTSYA, is an undergraduate student at Fordham University, where she intends to major in English. Her interests include writing, reading, and spending time with her sister.
THE POWER OF POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT
by Karen Kitchel
I once told a woman how much I liked her colorful dress. Her reply was surprising. She said she purchased the dress that day for three dollars at the thrift shop. She also explained that she has five kids and rarely gets out of the house. Little did I know that my simple words could cause her to beam.
Leaving little positive messages, either verbal or written, can turn someone’s day around or create a lasting memory. No need to wait for a major accomplishment. Just take time to notice.
“I alone can’t change the world, but I can cast a stone across the water to create many ripples.” Mother Teresa
Karen Kitchel is the Kindness Coordinator volunteer with BTSYA. She purchased the book, No Barnyard Bullies, as a gift for every kindergarten student where she is a volunteer teacher. www.scatteringkindness.com
READ, LEAD, SUCCEED!
Looking for a great book? Check out our two portals with proceeds benefiting Be the Star You Are!®
Amazon Store with hundreds of books: http://www.amazon.com/shops/be_the_star_you_are_charity
StarStyle® Store with uplifting, life-enhancing, and motivational books:https://www.CynthiaBrian.com/online-store
“May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be ever at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face and the rain fall softly on your fields.”-Irish Blessings
