Bernard is officially certified in crystal healing thanks to Margaret Ann Lembo, author of Chakra Awakening: Transform Your Reality Using Crystals, Color, Aromatherapy & The Power of Positive Thought. For a five hour workshop at Journeys of Life in Shadeyside, Bernard and his executive board for The Human Element, a newly found student group on campus devoted to love and acceptance, entered a realm of Universal Laws, Color, Chakras, Crystals, and Aromatherapy. All basics that are mentioned in Chakra Awakening. (Purchase the book by clicking on the image)

The new age shop was lit by the early morning light and as we got out of the taxi cab, I knew instantly that this place would become my new safe haven away from trouble and despair. We entered the store like any other store, but something seemed to wash us clean. It eventually became a hot spot for all walks of life like ourselves to come and learn about the ancient ways as the bustle of the day awakened even more. After we checked ourselves in for the Crystal Healing workshop, I noticed just how fun, vibrant, and miscellaneous everything looked. But as I quickly assimilated to the cosmic air there was indeed a method, an order, to where everything was placed. There was a Halloween section, Egyptian section, candles, oils, salt lamps, and my favorite… crystals!

I plummeted to the ground immediately when I saw the assortment of crystals and gemstones. I later learned in the class that we can use those terms interchangeably, thank goodness because I was wondering if there was a difference. It is all about your preference. We always have choices as it was clearly stated by our teacher. Well, there were your common crystals like quartz and amethyst to your more intricate structures like pyrite and lapis lazuli snuggled in their little plastic compartments. All fairly priced I will say, which made me even more giddy with joy. Everyone in the group was flowing to every place in the store and it remained that way until we had to go.

After we browsed the store of every nook and cranny we could find, it was time to meet the one and only Margaret Ann Lembo and let our minds soak up her wisdom and knowledge that she carries from all over the world. Like a stream of energy each participant walked up the stairs, but this time the sight of books, tarot decks, magazines, and light hugged our eyes and even mine as big as they were from seeing a new floor could not pull from the gripping sight of books. Another money snatcher from my wallet. I just love my books.

Because there was no time to stop and sniff out the best books, I and the gang went to the classroom that was conveniently located next to a little kitchen and the bathroom. Time just evaporated after that and light poured into all our souls and the room was filled with peace and love. Something quite extraordinary to experience in a room full of strangers. But us being in that room on that very day, could mean that we’ve interacted with those beings before just in a different lifetime. so are they really strangers?

I’ve learned about the universal laws of everything being energy and energy vibrating. Thus in turn everything affecting everything else. I also learned more in depth that we have an aura which is made up of our past lives, memories, and chakras. Chakras were described in class like spinning wheels of light that actually don’t stick out like cones in front of your body, but like a hoola hoop around your body. This was a pretty sight to feel. Like any pretty sight, usually there is color. Color was mentioned in great detail, because each chakra has a different color and there are 7 chakras.

Root- Red

Navel- Orange

Solar Plexus- Yellow

Heart- Green/Pink

Throat- Blue

Third Eye- Purple

Crown- White

This bond between chakras and color pave the way to match specific crystals to each chakra. Margaret did a very good job in teaching us how to remember the crystals and in what ways they can be used for healing based on chakra teachings. For example, if you are in a situation where you need to work with someone or some people you would rather not soak up or digest their draining energies, then wear or surround yourself with the crystal of amber. This gemstone clearly defines what is your space and what is theirs. Because we are all vibrating energies, some of us are overly powerful than others. In using amber along with the Solar Plexus chakra which is about ingesting life both physically and spiritually this combination will help you balance the situation to deter any negativity.

Even though the class must end at some point, I was really moved to purchase Chakra Awakening, Smudge in Spray (a helpful mist to banish negativity), and a little vial of Auntie M’s Anti (natural anti-Bernard-Getting-Sick tool) all part of Margaret’s product lines to help people transform their own realities. I did get a chance to talk with her one on one and she immediately sensed my passion and drive and interesting enough she was swept away when I told her I am aspiring to become a talk show host.

“Will you let me be a guest on your show?” She asked. I did not have my business cards at the time, so I made a cute makeshift card and wrote down that she was amazing and yes she will be welcomed to come onto my show. I only allow genuine and life changing people to come on, so of course she fits the bill. The experience is worth posting on The Bernard Charles Show because it is another example of how my personality just shines through wherever I go. I know it will get me to where I need to be because even Auntie M. herself said so…

“Bernard, Unlimited potential and your powerful dynamic personality will catapult you to great heights! Blessings, Margaret Ann Lembo”

For more information about Margaret Ann Lembo and her products please visit www.margaretannlembo.com

I finally had the chance to watch the entire Milton Hershey School (MHS) documentary that Academy Award (R) winning documentary director and cinematographer, Cynthia Wade has so truthfully woven together. Depicting the lives of several MHS students from enrollment to graduation, this film captures not only the impact that the Hershey, Pennsylvania private-boarding school offers to low-income families, but it reveals the soul and light that becomes the students. They find themselves.  To commemorate 100 years of the Milton Hershey School, this documentary hit me hard as I connected with my own memories of those final days before graduation and to sympathize with student home rules, homesickness, and the pride it takes to join clubs and organizations much like the students in the film. This documentary is a true depiction of what a student and their family can go through, but nonetheless MHS is a once in a lifetime opportunity and absolutely rewarding for all the resources available to its students upon arriving to the school and departing after graduation.

I am happy to say that the full-length documentary Living the Legacy: The Untold Story of Milton Hershey School is now available at YouTube.com or you can watch the film below. 

For more information about Milton Hershey School, please visit the school website to get more information or APPLY ONLINE to enroll your child into the most life saving and sweetest school there is in the United States.

On the evening of April 29, 2011, at the Wyndham Grand Hotel, the former Hilton, located in Pittsburgh, PA, excelling Point Park University students and prestigious university faculty members as well as notable administrators smiled and posed for photos on the red carpet as they checked-in for the 2011 Outstanding Student Awards, an evening to celebrate student achievement.

And there sat at table number 20 a boy with his soft auburn hair and tie dyed hands from the earlier end of the year festivities of dying shirts and bags, Bernard along with friends munched on some fine salad and were astounded by the pure elegance of the hotel ballroom, but certainly Bernard and his table mates did not know what to expect of his award nomination for the Sophomore Experience in leadership.

The evening began with some funny and inspiring YouTube video clips that involved Point Park students from the powerful dance flash mobs of the G-20 summit to some of the Pittsburgh Playhouse performances like Thoroughly Modern Millie and Carousel. But the excitement of the evening certainly took Bernard by surprise as he watched the video montage capture his first ever Pittsburgh Light Up Night debut!

I did not know they even did this. I am slightly embarrassed, but truly happy that it was displayed to more than 100 people in the room. This means I got exposure!

And he certainly did.

Point Park University President, Paul Hennigan and Senior Vice-President for Academic and Student Affairs, Karen McIntyre welcomed the evening with some delightful campus-wide achievements as well as some reflective moments that various students have about Point Park.  As the night progressed with award presenters and happy recipients, there the nerves just bubbled inside of Bernard and his award category for The Sophomore Experience Leadership Award was called upon.

As the community director and The Sophomore Experience coordinator, Katie Munsch described the achievements of the award recipient having  helped the visually impaired at the Job and Intern fair, the amount of fireworks that went off in Bernard’s head was unimaginable and all sound left his mind as he turned deaf in recognition. With tears in his eyes and excitement in his heart, Bernard walked eagerly to the stage and shook the president’s hand and accepted his award.

I just remember feeling really excited and completely deaf to what was going around me. This is my first award ever to be formerly received and I am on a cloud right now.I just remember going back to my seat and asking if I smiled and if there was clapping, I feel like I just had an outer body experience.

Even though Bernard did not literally leave us for some astral plane expedition, he did manage to dance as he exited the stage with his award in hand and a mile long grin on his face. The energy just seems to not escape from this future television talk show host.

The evening did continue with more honorable awards like Outstanding Advisor, School-based awards, and even the highest achievable award, the President’s Award which the recipient gets an engraved bison-statue. Which graduating senior, Veronika Panagiotou accepted for an overwhelming impact on the quality of life at Point Park through her dedication toward service, leadership, and contributions to the community.

As the night ended with an ice cream sundae buffet in the ballroom lobby, Bernard did manage to take more pictures with the president of the school for his award and congratulated numerous award recipients and nominees.

It was truly blissful to see the excitement and joy in their eyes. I felt the energy in the room and it was certainly positive. I know what award I am going after in the coming years, that is another reason for coming to these events. You get to see what is offered to you and then you can work hard toward achieving it.

There were no acceptance speeches provided by any of the award recipients, most likely due to time constraints, but Bernard did manage to express his utmost gratitude for his accomplishment on his personal blog on Tumblr and you can read his thanks and understand better of why this evening was so inspiring to him. 

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Two weeks ago, I headed to California to officially use my Prilosec OTC® award to attend the first ever Reality Rocks Expo that highlights and captures the world of reality television at its core. Flying out of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on Thursday, April 7th was more than a birthday wish– it was an adventure like no other and I learned a great deal about who I am and what I can do for others.

I met a woman on the plane and we hit the talk button for three hours. I simply soaked up her life like a sponge and truly appreciated every moment. I picked up on her personality and wisdom through her lived facial expressions and bubbly word choices. I knew that  made a connnection.

She had told me her memoir and it conveyed a message of hope. Hope in that people are social creatures. As humans we attach to one another regardless of our struggles, because we can not do stuff alone when times are simply rough. I remember while attending private school, that my mother told me that basically “people need other people” and I then appreciated her wisdom, but meeting this complete stranger was uplifting and gave me the hope that even this age of technology does not keep all people from talking to one another. But it allows for people to become aware of other stories and lives, we did officially declare ourselves Facebook friends as we hugged one another and departed ways in Dallas with smiles on our faces like we just gave each other a million dollars.

The plane ride was the most rewarding human experience and for it to happen on my 20th birthday says a lot. I am a big person on life’s pleasures. But simply knowing of coincidences or miracles, meeting people can spark a life in us that we were not already aware of.

At the Reality Rocks Expo which opened on April 9th and resumed on April 10th, I met quite a bit of people in all areas of the entertainment bubble. From casting agents to celebrity news writers, each person that I shook hands with or exchanged business cards, it reflected a sense of pride and courage to be in a room filled with common interests and goals.

As I entered the ballroom plotted with photo-booths and sign up tables, I began to feel a rush and then came a man that was carrying a lot more than a brown leather side bag stuffed to the  seams. Instead of sprinting over to Access Hollywood, I stopped and a connection was formed. Giacomo Knox, 38 year old freelance producer seemed to be on the tip of his toes because he has a dream and no one seems to notice it. Knox created a web docu-series reality show based on his  reunion with his father whom had not seen for 33 years. When he talked about A Week With My Father, I saw the light in his eyes and felt the familiar rush radiate from his body as I too experience with becoming a television talk show host. I was amazed to talk to someone who already made his dream into a reality by creating his idea into a show and it inspires me to do the same, however, it is obvious he is hungry and there at the expo for a better meal instead of being served a microwaveable dinner.

Our chat lasted about 15 minutes and we exchanged cards and we departed. I walked around the room until my first workshop panel discussion with the “Queen of Hosting” and founder of BecomeAHost.com, Marki Costello. My enthusiasm meandered through the pockets of people and I stopped by at multiple tables like Authentic Entertainment, BecomeAHost.com, and American Auctioneers. Yet another lasting connection was formed with Cyndi Targosz, a celebrity life coach and author. Targosz is creating a new reality show dealing with the real concerns that are the shadow for many celebrities. I spoke with her agent about her idea and later during the day I came back to actually meet the socialite. 

I attended three workshops at the expo and my first was the fiercest reality check and of course Marki Costello’s quick and powerful forefront-personality bombarded the room with such weight that I wanted to make myself known the moment I entered the arena. I wanted to impress the panelists of who I am and what I stand for.

Lessons I took from this workshop:

• Brand Yourself– What makes you tick
• Mass Appeal– What multiple areas can you tackle and make money from
• Do your research– Know what they have done and if you match their style

She called me out as “Red.”

Credit: Julia Franzen

Last month, I am met one student who captured the eyes and ears of many young and old onlookers as they stopped by a beautifully engulfed table of delicious baked goods from cookies to brownies all of which were being sold to support an orphanage in India.

Credit: Julia Franzen

All the proceeds made at the bake sale just outside of the Point Cafe were being directly donated to Asha House, an orphanage in India that like many are on the verge of closing.

Julia Franzen, a Point Park global cultural studies student went to Asha House this past fall semester in hopes of making a difference. And by what I can tell from her amazing personality, numerous photos of children, and her recent endeavor of raising money to send back to the orphanage, she has made a difference and shared her story with her family, friends, and now I am passing her story onto you.

I ask you to feel inspired and create your own unique project and charitable mission! If you do, send me some information! Because this is your space also to tell your story and reveal your passions to the world!

If you would like to see Julia’s video go here.

I’d like to tell you about my friend and colleague Judith Orloff MD – a UCLA psychiatrist and a pioneer who bridges mainstream medicine with intuition, energy medicine, and spirituality. She invites you on a remarkable journey where you can embrace more happiness and mastery over negativity than you may have ever known. Our world is in the midst of a meltdown. She describes how to stay intuitively and spiritually centered in our times.

Dr. Orloff celebrates the exciting paperback launch of her New York Times bestseller Emotional Freedom: Liberate Yourself from Negative Emotions and Transform Your Life. She is treating you to an incredible one-time book-launch offer with special gifts from herself and friends such as Dr. Daniel Amen, Dr. Joan Borysenko, Dr. Michael Beckwith, and more!

To purchase the book and receive your “Celebrate Joy” special gift collection go to:
http://www.drjudithorloff.com/emotional-freedom-paperback/

In Emotional Freedom Dr. Orloff states:
“I’m presenting the unique process I use with patients and in my own life to view emotions as a path to spiritual and intuitive awakening (not EFT). I synthesize traditional medicine with energy medicine to offer you new tools to master emotions and become heroes in your own life. Inner peace leads to outer peace in the world.”

Publisher’s Weekly’s review of Emotional Freedom says:
“Superbly written..Dr. Orloff regards emotions as a training ground for the soul, and views ‘every victory over fear, anxiety, and resentment as a way to develop your spiritual muscles.’”

Emotional Freedom has rave reviews from USA Today, Dr. Candace Pert, Christiane Northrup, M.D., Caroline Myss, Dean Ornish, M.D., and Mary Oliver, Pulitzer Prize-winning poet. They call it “spectacular,” “a must-read,” “a heartfelt, accessible guide,” and “resolutely compassionate.”

In the book, you will discover:
• Four questions to transform fear with courage
• What your emotional type is
• How to stop absorbing the emotions of others
• How to combat emotional vampires with compassion
• The spiritual meaning of depression and hope

Purchase book and claim your “Celebrate Joy” special gift collection at:
http://www.drjudithorloff.com/emotional-freedom-paperback/

If you’d like to liberate yourself from negative emotions and compassionately own the moment in all situations instead of just reacting when your buttons get pushed go to:

http://www.drjudithorloff.com/emotional-freedom-paperback/

Nelson Mandela said: “As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” Help liberate others and please share this announcement with them. Your support makes us happy and grateful!

For more inspiration and to learn about the Emotional Freedom book tour schedule and sign up for our affiliate program visit DrJudithOrloff.com.

Come to Judith’s San Francisco Events MARCH 20, 21!
Sunday, March 20, 2011 5:00-7:00PM Book Talk & Signing — CIIS (California Institute for Integral Studies)1453 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94103 For Tickets Contact: www.ciis.edu/ or (415) 575-6100
Monday, March 21, 2011 7:00-8:30PM Book Talk & Signing Book Passage Bookstore51 Tamal Vista, Corte Madera, CA 94925Contact:http://bookpassage.com/ or (415) 927-0960

This internet power has been such a success that it is probably the number one go-to spot to pass the time or for some to set up your dreams and let them fly.

Rachel DeJesus, a New Jersey native, is taking on the internet by its horns, well not exactly horns, but you catch the point. This American Idol-reject is making her sensational singing passion known by creating videos and posting them on her own YouTube Channel. Did I mention the service is free. Yeah, free!  DeJesus auditioned for seasons 8 and 10 of American Idol, but the judges did not choose her to be the next American Idol. Bummer! So she noted quite clearly that if you going to audition for television then a little more entertainment fluff is needed.

“My only drawback, I felt, was that I had to “stand out” of the crowd. Wearing a ridiculous costume was not going to cut it for me, but maybe whipping out my Tracy Turnblad costume from a year and a half ago and belting out a memorable song would have helped me.”

And she certainly could not have said it better.

With over thousands of views on her YouTube channel, one particular video, with at least 400 hits, is one of my favorites! DeJesus is performing “Good Morning Baltimore” from Broadway’s hit musical Hairspray. As a spunky school girl who just wants to sing, DeJesus nails her audience with her high-rolling acting skills as well as belting those beautiful notes as Miss Turnblad greets the morning onlookers of Baltimore.

Since 2008, DeJesus has uploaded close to 30 videos and there are certainly more to come. However, more recently her YouTube fame has spiked dramatically with a video post that has caught YouTube users’ eyes and ears!  More than 1,600 views, DeJesus records herself sitting in front of her webcam with her hair up, shirt falling along her shoulders ever so teasingly,breathes in the comforting air around her, and pops the notes of Bruno Mars’ song  Talking to the Moon. When asked about her most viewed video, she had this to say

“That is such a milestone and I hope my other videos will get the same recognition as well.”

My best goes out to her other videos, but I am going to place my money on that this Bruno Mars song is her best yet and the other videos truly reveal where she had once started from, bouncing around her high school auditorium with a 1960′s demeanor of a character whom only wanted their dreams to come true. Yet, being rejected twice, DeJesus is not throwing out her starbright passion of singing.

“I may not have make up on or my hair all done, but what matters in my YouTube videos is that I am heard! I strive to do better in my singing and I am fortunate that I have come this far with such great support from close friends and family and also my fellow YouTube viewers.”

YouTube is helping her to keep her dreams a reality and inspiring others to do the same. You can subscribe to Rachel DeJesus on YouTube and follow her on Twitter at @heyuhitsrachhh.

“I have so so so much to learn and I would love to have all of you on board for this wonderful journey.”

This talented youngster is going far in life because she has America’s Future Talk Show Host on her side and you should too! If you want to appear as a SHOWCASE profile on The Bernard Charles Show then tell us your story!

I had asked all of you to connect with me on various social networking platforms and most of you did. So I am so appreciative that you did in order to enter this giveaway! It was a pretty nice giveaway considering I used my own money to purchase the prizes. So be thankful…LOL. Well, to get to the point of the matter, I am really pleased to present to you all the winners of The Bernard Charles Show’s 100th Post Celebration Giveaway and the winners are Meghan Manahan for 3rd place, Emily Petsko for 2nd place, and for 1st place is Allison Martini. Congratulations to the winners and to those who took the time to enter as well.

Believe me there will be more awesome opportunities to follow, so don’t delete me just yet if you didn’t win! This is just the start of greater possibilities!

Avon is doing more than just selling make-up…

Avon Voices is Avon’s first-ever global online singing talent search for women and songwriting competition for men and women.  A panel of celebrity judges, including Fergie, Natasha Bedingfield, Sheila E., Diane Warren and more are on hand, providing singing tips and helping select our finalists.

And if you are picked as a finalist, you’ll get the chance to TRAVEL (takes care of that vacation resolution) to Hong Kong, Rio de Janiero, Paris, Hollywood, New York or Nashville, plus PHOTO AND VIDEO SHOOTS, a PROFESSIONAL MAKEOVER and coaching (feeling oh so pretty).  The best part is, the winners may get the opportunity record a professionally produced album (the whole world will now hear you).

How to Enter

It takes 30 seconds.  Record a video of you singing 30 seconds of a hit song from the approved list that you can do right from your home.  It’s a year-long competition but you only have until February 13, 2011 to submit a 30-second video clip at www.avonvoices.com.

This program benefits the Avon Foundation for Women’s global campaign to end violence against women and girls.

A new 13th sign called Ophiuchus is not a sign at all just like Pluto is not a planet any more. This is utterly ridiculous and this really irritates my inner Aries and I want some deep deep meditative intuition to show me the truth, no bullsh*t either! This was my immediate response as soon as I heard of a new zodiac sign that has changed the arrangement of all the other approved signs.

THE NEW ZODIAC

ARIES = APRIL 19 – MAY 13
TAURUS = MAY 14 – JUNE 19
GEMINI = JUNE 20 – JULY 20
CANCER = JULY 21 – AUG 9
LEO = AUGUST 10 – SEPTEMBER 15
VIRGO = SEPTEMBER 16 – OCTOBER 30
LIBRA = OCTOBER 31 – NOVEMBER 22
SCORPIO = NOVEMBER 23 – NOVEMBER 29
OPHIUCHUS = NOVEMBER 30 – DECEMBER 17
SAGITTARIUS = DECEMBER 18 – JANUARY 18
CAPRICORN = JANUARY 19 – FEBRUARY 15
AQUARIUS = FEBRUARY 16 – MARCH 11
PISCES = MARCH 12 – APRIL 18

Are we serious now??? I think not, what…are they going to tell us next, that a 13th month is gonna come. No way! I think people who are going to believe in this 13th sign should be warned. Who wants a serpent tamer as their figurehead in the cosmic world! I don’t think my fear of snakes has anything to do with my dislike of this re-found sign, but I just feel that if so many follow the bible, they can agree that snakes are a symbol of evil thus this sign can be of evil nature. Or it can be shown as man overcoming evil by taming it. Yet, this new revealed sign makes me look at the wave of men dancing with temptation (men and women and gay and straight). Either way, you messed with this fiery battering ram. And I need to butt heads with the officials involved in this hocus pocus. As far as I and my mother are concerned the Babylonians disregarded this 13th sign for a specific reason. Even the number 13 comes across as bad.

Since we are entering 2012 and all this new zodiac sign crap is playing in the game, I think I shall retreat to my sacred bedroom and meditate for real astrological answers.