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3/20/2008 5:09 PM UTC
"Its always about attitude. Even when it comes to living and lifestyles. Someone once told me (and I will never forget it) that YOU NEVER GET OLD, UNTIL YOU GET COLD". Keep on living to 120 and serving the Lord Jesus everyday. God bless you! Please stop by and find out why so many people are interested in better HEALTH...(please leave your comments and hopefully, I will become one of your favorites too).
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Date / Time: 2/9/2008 6:39 PM UTC
Date / Time: 1/31/2008 6:31 AM UTC
Starstyle-Be the Star You Are! has it's own store where you'll find everything you want, need, and desire at a discount. Go to http://astore.amazon.com/starstyleprod
Books, music, electronics, beauty and health products. home and garden, tools, hardware, clothing, accessories, jewelry, toys, computer software and more. Have fun!
Date / Time: 1/25/2008 9:56 PM UTC
Date / Time: 1/25/2008 4:47 AM UTC
“What an ugly bush!” whispered my friend as she looked beyond my perfectly manicured rose garden. “I know” I retorted, “I hate that thing and I’ve been trying to convince our neighbors to cut it down” The “ugly” bush in question was a nondescript scraggly tree that had taken up residence on the neighbor’s side of my fence, close enough to my rose garden to irritate me. Even the arborist who visited didn’t know what it was, commenting that it appeared to be a weed that had blown in from the nearby hills.
I am a gardener and I love plants, however that bush or brush or whatever the heck it was bothered me to no end. Our neighbors are terrific people so naturally I didn’t want to cause any problems. “Perhaps a flowering dogwood, or a watermelon colored crepe myrtle would look great in that area,” I suggested, promising to incur all the costs and perform the work .
They were not interested in having me replant. Even though the bush was an acre away from their house, they felt it was established while anything new would take a couple of years to grow. One day they announced they were being transferred to Texas. Since they were moving, I thought for sure they’d agree to a transplant.
“No we don’t want to replace it because a new tree may lower our house value,” was their response. “It’s so UGLY, though” I retorted. Our neighbors sold their home at a premium price and we were genuinely sad to see them go. It was a relief to find that the new owners were friendly and fun, yet I didn’t have the heart to ask them about replacing the irritating bush until we knew them better.
What was the solution to my ongoing angst?
There is an old saying, “If you can’t lick them, join them!” Instead of focusing on what I didn’t like, I decided to revel in the loveliness of my garden.. I set out birdfeeders, birdbaths and fountains to invite feathered friends to frolic and I added benches to contemplate the views while I inhaled the luscious fragrances of the blossoms. While I was meditating in the rose garden one bright sunny morning, I heard the most beautiful chirping. From where is the melody emanating, I thought to myself as I scanned the horizon. Small golden birds were happily bathing in the running waters of the gurgling fountain while a dozen or so were feasting at the feeders. Surely these were not the songbirds.
As I slowly strolled through the flower beds, my eyes settled on a most glorious site. The ugly bush was bustling with hundreds of yellow finches darting to and from my garden. The once homely shrub had evolved into a majestic domicile for warblers! What once was an offensive unsightly invasive plant had transformed into a habitat of colossal splendor. Instead of wanting to rid the garden of the beast, I now welcomed the beauty.
The dainty yellow finches glittered from the branches like the brightest ornaments on a twinkling Christmas tree singing carols analogous to angels.. What grandeur to behold!
There is a lesson in every impediment. As Saint Antoine de Saint-Exupery wrote, “what is essential is invisible to the eye.” Sometimes we get so set in our judgments that we fail to recognize the redemption in the situation. We believe that the other person is wrong and that we are right. “If he would only change everything would be better” we lament. We fail to understand that nothing changes until we change. Whatever we focus on becomes stronger, it is only when we surrender the control that wonder is allowed to enter our consciousness.
As I write this from my home office today, I have a perfect view to the fountain, the feeders, and the yellow finch tree. How blessed I am that I listened with new ears, and looked with new eyes. The yellow finch tree has opened my heart and reminded me that though we may be ugly ducklings on first glance, we possess an inner swan. What is essential is invisible to the eye! Ugly is beauty turned inside out. Rejoice and be glad!
Cynthia Brian is a radio personality, life coach, speaker and the New York Times best selling author of Chicken Soup for the Gardener’s Soul, Be the Star You Are!, The Business of Show Business, and Miracle Moments®. You’ll find her singing with the finches as she gardens. Visit www.star-style,com or call 925-377-STAR.
Date / Time: 1/17/2008 8:18 PM UTC
GOT KIDS! Effective Parenting Strategies
2007-2008 by Cynthia Brian
If you are parent, you are most likely always struggling with how to keep your kids on the right track. Besides being the mom of two, I've specialized in coaching youth for over 25 years and most of the volunteers of the charity, Be the Star You Are! (www.bethestaryouare.org) are children and teens. Every child is different and as such, we have to learn to be flexible. Here are a few steps that I recommend to my clients as well as follow personally to be an empowered parent:
1. Learn and improve parenting skills by reading, attending classes, and networking.
2. Get to know each child as an individual as each kid has a unique personality.
3. Make time every day to "be" with your child and be fully present.
4. Listen, listen, listen.
5. Be a role model. Actions speak louder than words.
6. Have integrity and keep our word no matter what. Your child will learn to trust you.
7. Keep a schedule and routine. Help your child be self-disciplined and responsible.
8. Take time for yourself. By caring for yourself, you have the energy to care for others.
9. Hug, praise, kiss, and unconditionally love your kids.
Sometimes what you don't say speaks louder than words. Make sure you differentiate between the person and the action. Always find the good in your child and keep the doors of communication open.
No one is perfect, so be realistic in your expectations. There is only one exquisite child in the whole world and every parent is blessed with that child.
Show your love!
Date / Time: 1/17/2008 8:11 PM UTC
Date / Time: 1/17/2008 8:05 PM UTC
READING BETWEEN THE LINES by Cynthia Brian
To live and prosper in this society, all of us must be lifelong learners, with access to knowledge and skills that can sustain our lives at work, at home, and in our communities. At least 40 million adults in the U.S. need stronger literacy skills in order to take full advantage of continuing lifelong learning opportunities. Twenty percent of today’s adult population in the United States can not read well enough to read a children’s story book. Literacy is one of the most important factors in determining whether a child ultimately goes to college or to prison. The sad fact is, though, that most kids would rather watch TV or play a video game than read a book.
According to The National Adult Literacy Survey over 40 million Americans over the age of 16 have significant reading deficiencies and 20% of adults read below the fifth grade level, which greatly hinders their ability to earn a decent wage. As the education level of adults improves, so does their children’s success in school. Helping low-literate adults improve their basic skills has a direct and measurable impact on both the education and quality of life of their children.
The expense of books is cited as a reason that people don’t buy and read books. Pay the price for illiteracy and you’ll find that reading books is a bargain! Ignorance and illiteracy costs American taxpayers more than $25 billion dollars per year.
Here are some frightening statistics:
· 85% of juvenile offenders have problems reading
Low literacy and communication skills have been identified in studies as contributors to general conduct disorders, psychiatric disorders, criminal behavior, violence, and adolescent suicide. Be the Star You Are! ®charity is dedicated to increasing literacy by collecting, distributing, and donating books to groups in need . (http://www.bethestaryouare.org) Since it’s founding in 1999, this small group of volunteers have donated more than $1.5 million in books.
If you read between the lines you’ll understand that it doesn’t matter what adults or children are reading as long as they are reading.
A little reading every day will result in a wealth of valuable information in a short time, as well as an increase in self confidence, self discipline, and self mastery. We must not permit anything to stand between a child and a book that can improve a life.
Make a resolution this year to read everyday and get your children involved in the love of books. The lives you save will be your own. Reading spells SUCCESS!
Read on.
"Do not look back and do not dream about the future. It will neither give you back the past, nor satisfy your other daydreams. Your duty, your reward--your destiny--is in the present moment." -- Dag Hammarskjöld
(Cynthia Brian is the Founder and Executive Director of Be the Star You Are!® charity who reads four books a week plus numerous journals to keep informed. Visit www.bethestaryouare.org.)
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