Cynthia Brian with stars Neale Donald Walsch and Michael Bernard Beckwith. Photo Eileen Goodis

F or the past three decades I have enjoyed the privilege of working in films and television with some of the greatest thespians and directors in history. I've had parts in Oscar winning movies such as Heaven Can Wait, Milk, and Peggy Sue Got Married to being in cult classics like Sudden Impact, A View to a Kill, and Star Trek IV. As an acting coach, I am forever advising my clients that all acting is reacting while showing them the importance of being real. What I never expected was that as an actor, I would be featured in a film playing myself.

Earlier this year, I was interviewed for a documentary by the same team that distributed the film, The Secret. The crew of the movie, Tapping the Source, produced by Bill Gladstone, Gayle Newhouse, and Richard Greninger traveled the globe interviewing thousands of people considered pioneers on the planet for living authentic lives of happiness, abundance, and service. They told me I was chosen to participate because of the positive messages contained in the books I write, the radio show I produce, and the speeches I give as well as the empowerment to women, families, and youth I provide through the non profit charity I founded in Lamorinda, Be the Star You Are!(r)

I was delighted to receive an invitation to the world premiere of Tapping the Source being held in Los Angeles. When I read the list of celebrities included in the film, I was certain that my humble contribution to the project would never make it to the big screen and would instead rest on the cutting room floor. Movies are always made in the editing room. A few of the stars included Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Michael Bernard Beckwith, Dannion Brinkley, Monique Coleman, Cathy Lee Crosby, Barbara DeAngelis, Bob Proctor, Tanya Roberts, Neale Donald Walsch, Mariel Hemingway, Jean Houston, Barbara Maxx Hubbard, and many more.

Imagine my surprise when I was invited to walk the red carpet to meet the press along with these dignitaries, and moreover to learn that I am featured prominently in the film! It was also rewarding to see my gardens and animals showcased in the documentary. The premiere attracted a sold out crowd of over twelve hundred attendees. After the screening, I was invited on stage to interact with the audience. You'll recognize my final words of wisdom, "Failure is fertilizer! Put your mistakes in your compost pile and grow a new garden."

The movie is a journey of joy and enrichment featuring a hundred renowned scientists, actors, authors, athletes, spiritual leaders, philanthropists, and healers. The film has launched a movement promoting the secret of success through service to others. My entire life has been dedicated to helping others achieve their dreams while living a life of meaning. What an honor to be profiled in Tapping the Source.

For those of you who read my gardening column, Digging Deep, you understand that gardening is my metaphor for life because when we attend to the inner garden of our spirit, we live natural, happy, healthy, connected lives. Tapping the Source is debuting at film festivals around the country. It is a glorious garden of personal growth on the silver screen. I hope you'll have the opportunity to witness the magic of its message so that you may continue to live with passion, purpose, and possibility.

Cynthia Brian is Lamorinda Weekly's gardening columnist of Digging Deep with Cynthia Brian. Her inspirational books include Be the Star You Are!(r), Be the Star You Are!(r) for TEENS, Miracle Moments(r), The Business of Show Business, Chicken Soup for the Gardener's Soul. For more information visit www.cynthiabrian.com or www.bethestaryouare.org.