Growing STAR
STAR Foundation Newsletter
Hi Everyone,
STAR is 22 years old. Imagine! I have been leading STAR groups for almost a quarter of a century! Over the years, there have been many changes and additions. The original group was held one night a week for 13 weeks and focused mainly on the homework assignments. After the first residential program in Sweden, it became clear how much more people were able to experience and how much more we were able to give in a residential format. After that, I began residential STARs here in California. That was a huge shift!
Over the years, I have enjoyed experiencing new processes and ideas which I have then woven into the fabric of STAR. One of the new ideas was the inclusion of birth work. We are one of the few groups in the world to include pre- and perinatal psychology. I feel good about what we do and I am honored to be a part of this work. I know that STAR has benefited many people. We continue to be open and creative, finding new ways to enhance the STAR experience.
Now, the millennium is upon us. It is a good time to make another shift. If we want to grow and reach more people, we need to create ways of reaching them. If we want to expand, we need to increase the number of STAR groups. If we want to do this, we need more leaders, readers, body workers, and gofers. Therefore, a week-long workshop is being planned for next year to train new staff. If you would like to participate, please call the office for an application.
There are many ways you can support our growth. The STAR Board is proposing an endowment fund (in memory of Michael Currier) to ensure the continuation of STAR. A basic way you can be supportive is to encourage others to come to STAR. Soon, we will have groups on the West and East Coasts, and eventually throughout the United States. We are inviting you to participate. If you have a particular skill you feel would benefit the program, please let us know.
Many grads have wanted to get more involved with STAR, and many have through the years. However, I have always regretted being unable to find ways for more people to fulfill this desire. More STARs would solve this. Another concern of mine has been in the area of post-STAR support. I feel my own limiting admonition, “I have to do it myself and not ask for help” has been partly responsible for those failings. This belief of mine—from my childhood—has not benefited me or served my purpose. I do not intend to drag it with me into the year 2000. I am giving it walking papers. I realize I can not “grow STARs” by myself Also, it isn’t any fun doing it alone. With a new millennium ahead, this is a great time to get rid of old, negative paradigms. Which one of yours would you like to be rid of?
The world seems to be polarized between fear and violence (which gets a lot of media attention), and love and cooperation (which gets very little). Yet, there are more and more people working to create a better world for everyone. Many STAR grads have jobs, foundations, or lives dedicated to transformation in business, medicine, psychology, the media, families, spirituality, ecology, and even in law and politics! In October, I attended two days of the week-long State of the World Forum in San Francisco. This conference gathered leaders from all parts of the Earth who are working toward peaceful solutions.
Once someone told me, “You can be part of the problem or part of the solution.” Working on yourself, as we do in STAR, is a way of solving your personal problems. In fact, STAR enables people to find solutions. Ultimately this ripples out and blesses others.
Every day we have opportunities to choose love over fear and peace over conflict, in small personal issues and larger problems in society. It is not always easy, but you do make a positive difference in your world when love and peace are chosen. Consider the possibilities and be part of the solution. The end of a millennium is a good time to make a shift.
Our hands and hearts are out to you.
Lovingly,
Barbara
