Communicate, Collaborate, Innovate
- Cynthia Brian
- 12 minutes ago
- 4 min read
MIRACLE MOMENT®
“Good communication helps us to grow closer, to know one another better, and ultimately, to grow in unity. The walls which divide us can be broken down only if we are prepared to listen and learn from one another.” Pope Francis
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A MESSAGE from Founder/Director, CYNTHIA BRIAN
The world mourns this week with the death of Pope Francis. After delivering his Easter blessings, he peacefully died on Easter Monday. Pope Francis was a man of kindness, mercy, humor, and love. Whether a person is religious or not, Pope Francis was revered for being a decent human being with compassion. He was what we herald as a “very good human”. Here in America, turmoil prevails as the world watches with trepidation and anxiety. Every day is another roller coaster ride of uncertainty. While the U.S.A. is focused on building walls and exclusion, Pope Francis emphasized the importance of communication to build bridges and foster collaboration. He believed effective communication required listening, humility, and a focus on beauty and hope, even in challenging situations. He encouraged people to help each other and to walk alongside those who are struggling. In 2016, in his message for World Day, he said: “Communicating means sharing, and sharing demands listening and acceptance. Listening is much more than simply hearing. Hearing is about receiving information, while listening is about communication and calls for closeness. Listening allows us to get things right, and not simply to be passive onlookers, users, or consumers. Listening also means being able to share questions and doubts, to journey side by side, to banish all claims to absolute power and to put our abilities and gifts at the service of the common good.”
As cardinals from around the globe gather for the forthcoming secretive conclave to elect a new pope, may we heed the words and actions of this beloved Pontiff to share the love, be inclusive, and be caring.
Let’s remember that kindness prevails when all else fails.
Communicate, collaborate, innovate.
With gratitude,
Cynthia Brian
Founder/Executive Director
Be the Star You Are!®
PO Box 376
Moraga, California 94556
GLOBAL VOLUNTEER MONTH
Global Volunteer Month is a time to celebrate volunteers — people working to support communities and drive transformation. Volunteers are the heartbeat of this movement, and at Be the Star You Are!®, we have been celebrating volunteers throughout April! Because we know that every act of service builds a stronger community, and so we call on people everywhere to take action. Throughout this month and the next, you can lend your time, skills, and passion to making a real difference in your own backyard and cause a ripple effect around the world.
Be the Star You Are!® is proud to be a #GlobalVolunteerMonth Champion!🌍Join us in celebrating the power of volunteering and amplifying the spirit of service that drives real, lasting impact in communities around the world. Together, we make a difference: pointsoflight.org/gvm #PointsofLight
Communicate with Kindness
by Karen Kitchel
When someone senses we have goodwill and respect for them, it enables them to lower their defenses and hear what we’re saying. It’s so easy to be positive with people who think like us, go out of their way for us, or simply agree with our ideas. The challenge is when we disagree with someone’s beliefs. Many of us are now struggling with not knowing what to do or say when confronted with people who have opposite viewpoints. It’s helpful if others know we are trying to respect their opinion, yet are willing to stand up for our own values.
When someone responds to our comments with a kind word, we are more likely to keep focused on staying positive. Kind words can deepen our connections and encourage respect.
Here are some examples of responses to disagreements using kindness:
“I am here to listen to anything you have to say.”
“I have a different perspective on that.”
“Tell me more.”
“I see your point, but I’m inclined to disagree.”
“Your ideas and opinions are important, and they matter.”
“It’s ok if we disagree. I appreciate hearing your viewpoint.”Karen Kitchel is the Kindness Coordinator volunteer with BTSYA. She purchased the book, No Barnyard Bullies, as a gift for every kindergarten student where she is a volunteer teacher. www.scatteringkindness.com You can read more about Karen’s adoption story in the book Be the Star You Are! Millennials To Boomers. https://www.bethestaryouare.org/book-gift
OUR RADIO BROADCASTS INSPIRE AND COMMUNICATE
Every week, under the auspices of Be the Star You Are!® charity and produced by StarStyle® Productions, LLC, listeners are encouraged and inspired on our two international radio broadcasts, StarStyle®-Be the Star You Are!® and Express Yourself!™ Teen Radio. StarStyle® is a lifestyle program bringing information and innovative ideas that will help with daily living, while Express Yourself!™ is hosted by teens, for teens, with discussions about everything and anything that interests youth today. Both programs are unedited, uncensored, and unapologetically authentic.
Listen to all Express Yourself!™ Teen shows at https://sites.libsyn.com/560220
Listen to StarStyle®-Be the STAR You Are!® shows: https://sites.libsyn.com/556617
SUPPORT WOMEN, FAMILY, AND YOUTH THROUGH MERCH
Find well-made clothing and hats with the Be the Star You Are!® logo at https://www.bonfire.com/store/be-the-star-you-are-merch/. Numerous colors and styles are appropriate for all ages. A percentage of the proceeds benefits Be the Star You Are!®
We invite you to volunteer, get involved, or make a donation. Make a DONATION through PAYPAL GIVING FUND and PAYPAL with 100% going to BTSYA with NO FEES: https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1504
“In the face of unjust and painful situations, faith brings us the light which scatters the darkness.” Pope Francis
Blessings and love. Rest in peace. Grazie Papa Francesco!
StarStyle® Empowerment is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. https://cynthiabrian.substack.com/p/communicate-collaborate-innovate?
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