Winter/February 2010
Hi STAR Friends,
We recently completed another powerful transformative STAR group. As always, people are inspiring and leave me with an appreciation of the power of the human spirit. Of course the STAR staff makes it all possible. We work together as a team which is so powerful.
Often at the beginning of a STAR group, I see a group of individuals, from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences. And that is true. Each one is so unique, with individualized stories and coping skills, life styles and attitudes. By the end of the week, what they share in common is apparent and there is a strong feeling of belonging and acceptance—not divided by their difference but united in their humanity. There is something magical that happens when individuals begin to feel safe enough to share their feelings and their truth.
I think the magic of STAR is Love. It is not that we do something to create it. Love in a strange way is always available. What is more common and blocks our awareness are compulsive needs to pretend and hide behind one of our many masks.
By the simple, but not easy, task of showing up without our masks, love shows up too. It is always a present opportunity. It seems to show up in many places—consider Haiti, when people came from other countries to rescue strangers and rejoiced when they were successful. No financial gain, lot of toil often not even language in common. Sweat reveals the presence. Simple. Valentine’s Day is here—so I guess it is an appropriate time to talk about Love.
As I have stated in previous newsletters, we are working on updating the website. STAR grads Jed and Mike are working on it. We are going to vamp up the testimonial section, and we want to hear from YOU!! How long has it been since you participated in STAR? How has it changed your life? We want to hear from you!
Attending STAR as a participant was one of the most powerful, transformational experience of my life. Nothing I have come across before or since—no workshop, program or experiential learning activity—has had a fraction of the impact that STAR has had upon my life. In the 9 years that have transpired since my 10-day STAR in 2001, I have completely recreated my life. My relationships are healthier, my work is more satisfying, and I am happier, more playful, and more centered than ever before.
STAR put me back in touch with the primary relationship in my life—my relationship with myself. Before STAR, my life was primarily on auto-pilot. . . . continuing the behaviors that had led to my early successes and rarely questioning where I was going or why I was going there. Whose life was I living anyway? STAR allowed me to examine the messages that were driving my life, and examine the old patterns and ways of thinking that were guiding my choices. . . .My graduate work has led me to appreciate the theory and techniques of STAR. The STAR process is grounded in the most cutting edge research on attachment, brain development, personality formation.
STAR is one of the most amazing things I've ever found. The work is powerful, life-changing, and life-affirming. If you are looking to improve your relationship with yourself and with others, STAR is unlike anything else you will find. . . .--Jed Appelrouth
Nationally Certified Counselor
Ph.D. student in Educational Psychology
Atlanta, GA
Some of us are trying to plan a STAR trip that may happen later this year. Keep your eyes peeled on our newsletter for upcoming details. Where and when are yet to be determined…
Keep in touch, I love to hear from STAR grads!
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