Yew Choong Cheong, a West Virginia University student who plays and studies classical piano despite a loss of hearing, recently won the 2007 International Young Soloists Award given by VSA arts.

The international, nonprofit organization was founded in 1974 by Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith to create a society where all people with disabilities learn through, participate in and enjoy the arts.

As one of four award recipients from around the world to receive this honor, Cheong will play at the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., on March 21. He will also receive a $5,000 scholarship to assist with his career and studies in music.

I’ve often said that that which you focus your mind on is THE KEY to what you create in life. What you focus on determines the internal states you experience – how you feel, moment by moment – and it also determines the external results you get.

The trouble is, most people do their focusing unconsciously and without intention. How they focus, and what they focus on, runs automatically – which means that sometimes they focus on what they DON’T want – and get it. And, in addition, focusing on what you don’t want creates bad feelings.

In fact, I’ll make an even more sweeping statement:

Confidence is a tricky thing. One moment you feel on top of the world, able to accomplish all your hopes and dreams, and the next minute you feel your knees buckle – you become tongue-tied and are unable to even say hello. How can confidence be so strong one moment and then so fleeting and elusive the next? What magic ingredients do superconfident people possess that make them appear unflappable? And, most importantly, you ask, “How can I become more confident and self-assured in life?”

Did you know that your own thoughts can cause you pain and suffering? Do you let your thoughts dictate your experiences? Are the thoughts you think even true? Renowned inspirational teachers Dr. Wayne Dyer and Byron Katie will help you transform your thinking in their new audio program – Making Your Thoughts Work for You!

For the first time ever on this 4-CD set, “father of inspiration” Wayne Dyer and spiritual innovator Byron Katie pool their empowering advice and life-changing wisdom and address the powerful effects of your thoughts and how they create your experience.

During the first half of Making Your Thoughts Work for You, Dr. Dyer reintroduces you to your source and shows you how to get your life in balance and realign your thoughts with your desires. “It’s just the simple matter of deciding to do it,” Wayne says.