Letting Go and Growing

Dear STAR Friends,

We have just completed another STAR workshop with another outstanding group of people. Somehow, I always feel that way. Doing this work has given me so much respect for us—you and me, all of us! When I see our courage to confront our demons and learn to have compassion for ourselves, I am inspired over and over again. I am encouraged to continue this work and find ways to expand STAR and touch more lives. I am proud of the work we do, even as we continue to explore new therapeutic methods and improve the process.

Recently, I read a little book, “Who Moved My Cheese” by Spencer Johnson, M.D. I clearly saw that I had been attached to Pocket Ranch in a way that limited my vision and narrowed my possibilities. If you have read that little book, you will understand when I say, “My cheese wasn’t there anymore and it was time for me to risk moving out into the maze.” I highly recommend this book; it’s a fable and your “kid” will like it! Growing is frequently about letting go of the past and opening up to possibilities in the here and now.

Growing is what seems to be happening for STAR as well. Sandra and I have concentrated on providing formal training for future readers and leaders during the last several years, two or three at a time. This year, 16 at once went through training at a special weeklong workshop designed for future staff. We currently have enough staff to hold STAR on both coasts, and Sandra is ready to lead her first solo STAR in Georgia next year. (I’ll be leading the STARs in California in 2001.) Our efforts are now shifting to further training of several therapists to be assistant leaders (and ultimately leaders). We are well positioned for the expansion of STAR—now all we need are more participants. You can help by encouraging and supporting your family, friends, and even business colleagues to attend one of our workshops.

Perhaps by now many of you have seen our new STAR promotional video, produced by Frances Causey, formerly of CNN. We chose to film it during the staff-training week in Georgia with STAR graduates. We have been talking about making this video for years, and suddenly with the help of STAR angels and Frances’ contacts from CNN, it was done. STAR grads now go home with a copy in their envelope. If you haven’t seen it, call the STAR office at 1(888) 857-7827 and put in your request. The next project Frances will produce is a film about the effects of pre-and perinatal experiences on later behavior and attitudes.

I have been working on writing my book this year. I was amazed when Brenda Morris gathered my material together in several binders and presented them to me— there is much more than I imagined. Now, it is time to pull it all together and find a publisher. The book will include much of what we cover in STAR, with an emphasis on pre- and perinatal experiences and how they influence later development. This subject is seriously neglected; it needs to be understood and given a proper place in child development, and in psychotherapy at all levels. I’ve been collecting stories and data for more than 20 years—many of you have sent me media articles and anecdotes, which I really appreciate; please keep them coming.

Life continues to be an unfolding adventure for me. I’m grateful for STAR, for all of you, and for the opportunity to be inspired and learn from my experiences and from each of you.

Have a wonderful autumn!

Love,

Barbara