You were not created equal. And you wouldn't want to be! You are something far better than equal. You are unique.

No one has ever walked the earth with your exact combination of inborn and acquired strengths, weaknesses, skills, foibles, talents, frailties, and experiences. The synergy of all these forces is what makes you strictly one of a kind, an original. And this mixture is the source of your power, providing all the raw materials you need to become a star.

I challenge you to become the star you already are. The goal of this monthly column is to make you aware of the many gifts you now possess. I won't promise you that living the life you've always dreamed of is easy. In fact, it can be darn hard work. But this column will be chock full of the possibilities already within your grasp, offered to you in the form of personal anecdotes, useful tips, and stimulating exercises. Use it as your road map.

Some of my stories and commentary will be unexpected, out of the ordinary, and definitely different. I encourage you to, use your imagination, open your heart and mind, and express yourself. My purpose is to expose you to the myriad ways you can become your best self while discovering and enjoying your star power. I'll provide the guidance. You provide the guts. Together we'll discover the gifts.








My own experiences have given me the skills to help you discover and focus your distinctive abilities. Personally, I am a woman, wife, mother, lover, animal afficionado, world traveler, master gardener, and chief cook and bottle washer. Professionally, for twenty-eight years, I've been in the entertainment industry as an actor, model, producer, writer, director, casting director, consultant, coach, and mother of children working in show business. I also host two national cable television series and a weekly radio show because I feel it is important to provide role models and help people live more meaningful business and personal lives.

I have made mistakes, endured failures, and suffered rejections, but each time I fell down, I got back up, learned my lesson, and transformed that lesson into a gift. These gifts can help you increase joy, peace, love, harmony, and success in your own life.

Happiness and success don't depend on your background. Determination and dedication to create your own present and future does. I come from a long line of hardworking farmers, and grew up a goal-oriented, hardworking super achiever who honors every scar and every accomplishment.

With five mouths to feed, my parents couldn't afford to buy us new clothes for high school or offer us a college education. We had to figure out our own strategies for achieving our dreams. From age nine to eighteen, I carefully saved every penny I earned from raising chickens and selling their eggs for thirty to fifty cents a dozen to finance my college degrees. I worked as a field laborer for neighboring farmers, picking and cutting fruit. This paid twenty cents for each fifty-pound box. My grandparents bought me a sewing machine when I was a child (which I still use regularly), and I learned to sew, making all my own clothes and most of our household furnishings until well into my adult years. When I first wanted to travel, I worked for the airlines so that I could get passes, or I sought out discount coupons. Where there is a will, there is a way. And I've always had will. I'm proud of my upbringing and glad I had to earn my way in the world. It was an investment in the ethics of work. It feels good to look back and know that I am where I am today because of the choices I've made throughout a lifetime.

We each design our own lifestyles!

I have 3 Rules for Living a Happy Life: Smile, Have Fun, and Be Wild and Crazy!
Until then, pound your chest  three times a day and shout, "I am the GREATEST!   You are…it is time you believed in yourself.

Starsmiles and Prosperity,

Cynthia Brian
Your Personal Growth Coach

Cynthia Brian, President of Starstyle® Productions, LLC is a much-in-demand key note speaker, personal growth consultant, host of radio and TV shows, syndicated columnist of "Business Bytes™,  and NY Times best selling author of "Chicken Soup for the Gardener's Soul,  "Be the Star You Are! 99 Gifts for Living, Loving, Laughing, and Learning to Make a Difference "(Ten Speed Press) and "The Business of Show Business". She is Founder/CEO of the 501  (c)(3) charity, Be the Star You Are!  which empowers youth at risk.  She is also a certified interior designer, garden guide, and acting/success coach. Cynthia offers success coaching with personal/phone consultations and can be reached at PO Box 422, Moraga, California 94556, 925-377-STAR,
www.star-style.com and www.bethestaryouare.org.
Email: cynthiabrian@yourlifemagazine.com Tune into her radio show by going to www.worldtalkradio.com/

What Success Really Is
by Jean Klett