Posts Tagged ‘Self Esteem’

As the Director for the Young Authors League (YAL) and the President of the CIPA Education and Literacy Foundation (ELF), a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering and inspiring school-age children to read and write, I’ve very excited to share our lastest project!

This past year, YAL organized a Student Short Story Writing Competition titled, “Making the World a Better Place,” in which fourth and fifth grade students of the Cherry Creek School District in the Denver area were invited to submit a short story or artwork expressing this inspiring theme.

It is with great pleasure that I announce the publication of the Young Authors League book, Making the World a Better Place: Student Stories about Making a Difference!

From Fearless Foam-Fighters to an argument between a fork and a spoon, and from the Get Things Done Girls to the power of a smile, this is a delightful collection of inspiring short stories and artwork by the students themselves. Experience the insights, as well as the talents, of these amazing students, and find out for yourself how to make the world a better place…you may be inspired to do the same!

Purchase your copy now for $14.00.  All proceeds from the sale of this book benefit the CIPA Education and Literacy Foundation to continue developing and implementing literacy programs for students which bring out their potential and build their excitement for reading and writing.

For a list of winners, participating schools, comments, and information on upcoming YAL events, please visit http://debragano.com/young-authors-league1/.

Join us on EARTH DAY, APRIL 22, from 4-8 pm as we launch Making the World a Better Place at Barnes & Noble in Southlands Mall, Aurora, Colorado! Click HERE for more information!

Very excited to announce the cover for my next book in the Heartlight Girls series:

 Star’s Attraction

A Girl’s Discovery of Inner Power

It’s the story of a girl named Star who has an exciting dream she wants to pursue, but becomes intimated by those around her that tease her and say her dream is “too big.” She gets discouraged and starts to believe the critical things others say about her, until one day, she is visited by a mysterious horse, and of course, her Heartlight Angel, who help her realize that anything is possible, as long as you believe in yourself…

Scheduled for release Fall 2010, pre-orders will begin in several months. Stay posted for other sneak peeks as my illustrator Dawn Pitre continues to do her magic…(and if you like horses, you’re going to love this book!!!)

Excited and honored to launch the new Teen Program with the Compass Personal Development Network! Through their unique MAPS programs, a teen can coach with me for a few minutes a day, and for only $19 a month! We’ve developed three powerful month-long programs, you can check it out by visiting www.mylifecompass.com/debragano and click on the TEEN tab in the upper right hand corner. Be sure to watch my video! Give the lasting gift of self-esteem to a teen this Valentine’s Day!

Beauty’s Secret…from the Inside Out
A new bi-weekly radio show beginning Wednesday, January 27

 Your hosts for this empowering show are award-winning author, self-esteem facilitator, & international model/actress Debra Gano (Founder & CEO Heartlight Girls), and award-winning producer, wellness intuitive, & quantum healer Tcha LaPlaca (Founder & CEO Indigo Blue Creations). Every other week, they invite you to become true to yourself and in love with who YOU are!  Join them, along with inspirational, nationally-known guests, for lively and real conversation for adults and teens.

“Our intention is to assist you in coming home to your authentic, beautiful self, by discovering how to let go of false beliefs that limit living a life of love, health, wealth, and joy. Remembering who you truly are to create the life you dream begins within..we invite you to join us on the journey!”

This past fall, I’ve been blogging, as well as commenting on my Twitter and Facebook pages, about the dangerously skinny photoshopped ads by designer Ralph Lauren and the firing of his loyal size 4 model for being "too fat." (see earlier posts). Maybe I’m sensitive to all of this due to my years of modeling in that crazy industry, because, even then, it would madden me as to the pressure the models faced to be ultra thin. Everyone wants to blame "those skinny models," yet in their defense, it’s really the designers and advertisers who are to blame. Models aren’t known for their sense of self or high self-esteem, especially the younger ones, and will often "do what it takes" to be accepted, seek approval, or get a job. They will often be cruel physically, mentally, and emotionally to themselves – and to each other!

Unfortunately this behavior filters down into our schools with the increasing popularity of "mean girls," and that’s why I am so passionate about getting out there and reaching these girls. It was challenging to handle all this as an adult as a model, but it breaks my heart to see it happen with our young girls today!

More on that at a later time…for now, here is a call to action to help stop a contributing factor to our girls’ obsession with thinness. Filmmaker Darryl Roberts has become an advocate for body acceptance since making the fabulous documentary AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL.  Now he’s spearheading a boycott against Ralph Lauren that’s really intended to get the attention and wise up the whole fashion industry. He needs us all to join the boycott! Here’s the link to sign up for the boycott and learn more about Roberts’ campaign: join the boycott

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