Carpe diem. Lauren and I want to begin this 2nd off season blog entry simply by wishing you an extra Happy 2014! As we get ready to enter a New Year, we invite you to create some time to pause and reflect on this past year. At the same time we encourage you to set new goals for yourself and share them with your family and close friends. It is only in a community where we all can truly support each other. One of my personal goals for 2014 is to create time and space every day to practice mindfulness. That might take the form of yoga, meditation, or being more “present” with Eli when spending father and son time together.

This concept of mindfulness also can be thought of as being more “heartful.” One of the most powerful aspects of the Blue Star experience is the forming and deepening of lifelong relationships. Our campers, parent community, and alumni comment consistently on the special friendships they forged at camp. Learning how to be a good friend requires a certain understanding of compassion. That is what being heartful is all about to me.

With this idea of heartfulness in mind we want to highlight the second core outcome we hold for our campers. In last month’s blog post we explored our first core outcome of self-discovery. Once we better know our true selves we begin to make real connections with others. Making connections is the kindling for building community.

Building community. In his book, Leadership Is an Art, Max DePree challenges leaders to re-think what it means to lead. DePree is chairman emeritus of Herman Miller, Inc. and was elected by Fortune magazine to the National Business Hall of Fame. He believes that the intention of an organization must be to build community. “Community is where it happens. In communities we are all given opportunities and the chance to make the most of them.” Further, “Only in communities do we respect and honor and thank the people who contribute to our interdependent lives. Only in communities can we truly forgive each other.” (DePree xi) When I read and re-read these words I think immediately of Blue Star. Building community is our good work; in community we find the lifelong friendships.

At the recent Blue Star reunion in South Florida I was reminded of the power of those very lifelong friendships. Being part of the re-connecting across generations that happened in the two short hours at the reunion re-enforced for me the meaning of that Blue Star Magic. We look forward to turning another page as we enter 2014 and gear up for our 67th season…