Goal setting. What does that mean to you? Do you have goals? And most importantly, do you focus on how you'll achieve your goals? After all, goals won't mean much if you just think about them and not act upon your plans to achieve what you desire. Some of the radio hosts who interviewed me have wanted to know how I am able to achieve my goals. One host said to me, "You have goals and you are able to achieve them every time. How do you do that?"

"I just have a clear focus on what I want to achieve. I don't write them down," I told her. "It's okay if you can't achieve your goals. If you have tried your best in something, then that's all that matters. The best is all we can ask from anyone," I said in one interview. It is important to know that success doesn't necessarily mean that you should achieve a goal; it simply means that you have done your very best and have learned from what you did, right or wrong, along the way. Don't feel frustrated if you haven't achieved what you have your heart set on; I think there's a right time for everything to happen, so if it hasn't happened yet, then it might not be the right time. (Just my way of thinking, I guess!) Also, keep in mind that your goals don't have to be huge.

Half of 2006 has flown by, and I'm counting the goals and achievements I have accomplished thus far:
* Appearing on 14 radio shows to empower, inspire, and motivate others, and to advocate parental rights in children's medical care and aide/caregiver monitoring and screening for special needs students and the disabled people in general. Hopefully, my words have made a positive difference to others and have opened their hearts to the problems plaguing our society...
* Tieing for 1st place in the national writing contest from Be the Star You Are! at the beginning of the year. If you haven't already, you can read my winning entry, The Jewel from Heavenly Father, from my site under News Flash: http://www.shirleycheng.com
* Co-authoring a self-improvement book with some of the world's top experts, including Jack Canfield, John Gray, Richard Carlson, Bob Proctor, and Alan Cohen, entitled 101 Great Ways to Improve Your Life, Volume 2. The book will be published shortly. I'm taking pre-orders from my site. I know the first volume of the book is selling steadily and has received wonderful reviews. Many people have found it beneficial already!
* Holding a book signing at a Chinese New Year event. I had thoroughly enjoyed my time.
* Securing a book signing at a local bookstore. More about this—my very first book signing in a bookstore—later in this issue.

What are your goals? I'd love to hear from you, so feel free to share your goals and thoughts with me by sending me an e-mail via my site http://www.shirleycheng.com.
I'd also like to make my newsletter interactive, so if you like, I can post your thoughts in the next issue to share it with fellow readers. I can post your comments anonymously or you can supply your first name or nickname, or a full name...whichever way you prefer.

So, what's this about a book signing at a bookstore? I'm very excited to say that I have finally secured a book signing at a local bookstore. Along with signing my four books there, I will give an empowering talk about my autobiography, The Revelation of a Star's Endless Shine, focusing on the secret that has enabled me to conquer all my trials and tribulations with a bright attitude, coming out as a winner each and every time. I will let you know how it went after the event.

As you may recall, I was a guest on The Rose Moore Show for an hour on June 10. The interview is now available for listening...it is listed on my site under Radio Interviews with Shirley Cheng: http://www.shirleycheng.com Again, I ask for your support in this serious matter...abuse in schools should stop as soon as possible.

On June 14, I appeared on Positive Momentum Radio Talk Show on KBAR 1230 AM with host Michael Haynie (heard in southern Idaho). He had made the fifteen minutes seem like five; I had a wonderful time. I will be uploading the interview onto my site once I receive a copy of it.

Recently, I have received three excellent reviews for my books:

Review by Dr. Alan Gettis

"Dance With Your Heart"is a wonderful collection of poetry and short stories that celebrate life while gently sharing the wisdom of Shirley Cheng. Her personal journey as cited in the 'About The Author' Section is worth the price of the book by itself. She exemplifies the final stanza of one my favorite poems titled 'Make It A Promise':
Let the love be lit
Take that giant leap
Love cannot be kept aside
Promise to love with your whole soul

That seems to capture the essence of both Shirley Cheng and "Dance With Your Heart."

Review by Books2Mention Magazine

Dance With Your Heart, Tales and Poems That the Heart Tells, is a moving collection of short stories and verse. Illustrated with such detail that readers will easily envision the settings of each story and poem.

Shirley Cheng brilliantly conveys messages of hope, love and inspiration in this thought provoking work of literature. It is beautifully written, offering deep reflection on life from various perspectives. Each page is filled with wonderful life lessons that are expressed with naturalness, simplicity and profound wisdom.

This remarkable book will take readers on a magical journey discovering unknown lands with wonderment and enjoyment.

Review for "The Revelation of a Star's Endless Shine" by Dorothy Lafrinere from WomensSelfEsteem.com

About the Author: Shirley Cheng, daughter of Juliet Cheng, was born in 1983, in Albany, New York. Shirley's birth was the beginning of a new world for both mother and daughter. Shirley was diagnosed with severe juvenile rheumatoid arthritis at only eleven months old. Shirley Cheng's life consisted of many years of hospitalization which caused her ability to receive an education a major delay. Shirley did not start her schooling until she was eleven years old. It took her only 180 days to master grade levels in all areas, and was then transferred to a sixth grade class room. When Shirley was seventeen, she lost her eyesight due to the intake of digestive enzymes, even more reason for her to feel like giving up, but it only challenged her to strive higher and higher.

Through Shirley's own words, she inspires many saying, "Although I'm blind, I can see far and wide; even though I'm disabled, I can climb high mountains. Let the ropes of hope haul you high!" Shirley Cheng's self-esteem is truly glowing through her continuous smiles and words as you read her story. Shirley wrote three books at the age of 20 years old.

Here are just a few more achievements that Shirley has managed to earn:
- co-authored a self-improvement book with Jack Canfield & John Gray, Bob Proctor, Alan Cohen and Richard Carlson, entitled "101 Great Ways to Improve Your Life, Volume 2"; Author of "The Revelation of a Star's Endless Shine"; Author of the book, "Dance with Your Heart", and also Author of the book "Daring Quests of Mystics".
-is an advocate of parental rights in children's medical care, aide/caregiver monitoring and screening for students with special needs and people with disabilities, and world peace.
- tied for 1st place in the second Annual Be the Star You Are!™ national Writing Contest, garnering her a third live appearance on the nationally syndicated radio program, "Be the Star You Are"!
- Plans to attending college at Harvard University, where she plans to earn doctorates in microbiology, zoology, astronomy, physiology, and pathology after a successful eye surgery.

Shirley's story is not only about her challenges and misfortunes, but she also shares with us the love and respect that her mother showed over and over again. It is clear where Shirley has gained most of her positive attributes. Her mother's never-ending energy to keep moving forward reaches out and touches you throughout Shirley's story.

Here is another quote from Shirley that will bring you to another sweet side of Shirley Cheng's personality: "I've made it one of my life's missions to touch as many people as I possibly can to bring humor, hope, and healing," says Shirley, whose personal motto is "A dancing heart teaches true."

Shirley is an excellent writer and poet with a charm and intelligence that would make anyone envious. Her age and illness has never stood in her way of succeeding and embracing everything that life has to offer. Shirley, it was a true pleasure reading your book. Womensselfesteem.com thanks you for sharing a part of your life.

About the Book: "The Revelation of a Stars Endless Shine" is a true story about a Mother and daughters struggle to survive the daughters health problems which consisted of severe juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, blindness not forgetting to mention pure neglect and ignorance of the medical world. This story will take its readers into a world that neither mother nor daughter was prepared for; it was a world of frustration, pain, false accusations, misleading information from medical experts, and possibly the worst experiences of loss that a mother and daughter would ever have to deal with. "The revelation of a Star's Endless Shine", is a work of art. Shirley Cheng's writing is absolutely flawless and her ability to bring her reader into the heart of not only herself but also her mother through her words is truly amazing and magical. While reading this book, be prepared to feel every emotion capable to a human being such as: pain, frustration, fear, horror, love, happiness, determination, commitment, passion, and best of all, winning. This book will teach you the meaning of dedication and pure love of a mother for her daughter. It will also teach you about perseverance and strength to never give up in life.

Shirley writes of her struggles that the world has challenged her with from birth. This story is not only about Shirley, it is also about her mother's determination to see that her daughter live a normal life.

Recommendation: Womensselfesteem.com Highly Recommends the book "The Revelation of a Star's Endless Shine" to every person from every walk of life.

Well, needless to say, I have no words to describe how happy and content I am whenever I receive reviews like these. Being an author has never been in my plans—it just happened all of a sudden like the strike of lightning. Although many people told me I should be an author when I grew up (this was back in middle school), I usually wrinkled my nose at that. I loved to write, but my biggest passion was—and still is—in science. But for now when I cannot pursue a career in science, my writing career has brought much pleasure and excitement into my life. And you know what? I'd have to thank my blindness for this! I would not have become an author if I hadn't lost my eyesight; but rather, I would have just graduated college with a BA or two in science.

I lost my eyesight suddenly, but hey, I can't complain.

That's something for you to think about as I end this issue here.

Until next time, remember that some things may seem bad at first, but they really do have a divine purpose...

Best regards,
Shirley Cheng