Conspiracy of Love
- Cynthia Brian
- 6 hours ago
- 5 min read
MIRACLE MOMENT®
“Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.” Hamilton Wright Mabie (1846–1916).
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/conspiracy-of-love
A MESSAGE from Founder/Director, CYNTHIA BRIAN
In the midst of winter, February is perceived as a bleak and boring month. However, February honors more cultural celebrations than any other month. It starts with Groundhog Day, predicting future weather. With Valentine’s Day, February commemorates love and romance. Focusing on our hearts, it is also American Heart Month, a time to raise awareness of heart disease. This year, the world enjoyed the excitement of the Winter Olympics together. Our Presidents Washington and Lincoln are celebrated in February, as is social reformer and abolitionist Frederick Douglass, who launched Black History Month. Sports fans were glued to the TV on Super Bowl Sunday, and the lion dancers performed for the Lunar New Year Spring Festival in this year of the Horse. Lunar New Year encompasses celebrations in multiple countries, recognizing Korea, Vietnam, Tibet, and China. Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras in French, is Carnival all over the world. Years ago, I spent Mardi Gras in Nice, France, which was a wild, crazy experience. The evening of Carnival on February 17 began the Muslim observance of Ramadan, which is a holy month of fasting. It coincides this year with the Christian Ash Wednesday on February 18, which is the beginning of 40 days of fasting, almsgiving, and prayer, symbolizing Jesus Christ’s reflection in the desert. World Understanding and Peace Day is recognized on February 23rd, and the United Nations observes World Interfaith Harmony during the first week of the month. February is filled with numerous other observations, including fun “National Days”, like Youth Leadership Month or Great American Pie Month.
In other words, February brings global awareness to cultures, customs, and celebrations. This is an opportunity for us to embrace empathy, open our hearts, and love our neighbors.
Let’s engage the whole world in this conspiracy of love.
Celebrate living as one world. We are all on the same team!
With gratitude,
Cynthia Brian
Founder/Executive Director
Be the Star You Are!®
PO Box 376
Moraga, California 94556
DONATE: https://givebutter.com/BTSYA
FINDING THE QUIET IN CHAOS
by Cate Taylor
February always feels like that weird middle ground where winter is dragging on, but things are starting to shift. Most people get caught up in the big, flashy versions of Valentine’s Day, but I think the real “love” we need right now is a bit more grounded. It’s about more than just candy or cards; it’s about actually being there for each other. Between the stress of college apps and everything else going on, just being a decent person to someone who’s struggling makes a massive difference.
To me, peace isn’t some huge, unreachable goal—it’s just the energy we bring to the hallways every day. It’s choosing to be chill when things get tense or reaching out to someone who’s been quiet lately. If we focus on just being a little more patient and kind, we can actually build a community that feels safe for everyone. Let’s make this month about more than just the hype.
Cate Taylor is a high school senior who’s passionate about mental health awareness and keeping things real. When they aren’t finishing up graduation requirements, they’re usually found looking for the best local coffee spot or hanging out with friends.
IMPORTANCE OF LOVE
by Gowri Kamatchi
Love comes in many forms, and each one plays an important role in our lives. Family love gives us support and a sense of belonging. It’s often the first kind of love we experience, teaching us care and trust. Friendship love brings fun, loyalty, and understanding, helping us feel accepted for who we are. Romantic love adds excitement and emotional connection, reminding us how deeply people can care for one another.
There is also self-love, which is just as important. It helps us set boundaries, respect ourselves, and grow with confidence. All these types of love work together to shape who we are and how we treat others, creating healthier relationships and a stronger sense of self.
Love doesn’t have to be perfect to matter. What’s important is the effort, kindness, and care behind it, because even small actions can make someone feel truly valued.
Gowri Kamatchi is a 16-year-old high school junior who is a content creator volunteer with Be the Star You Are!® She has a deep interest in global issues, journalism, climate policies, and paleontology. Her hobbies are reading, listening to music, and rollerblading!
HELP FEED CHILDREN IN MINNESOTA
Our Kindness Coordinator, Karen Kitchel, lives and volunteers in Minnesota. With the latest upheaval due to ICE raids, many children are not going to school and therefore are not receiving any meals. Karen has been creating gift bags and posted this:
“Minnesota is slowly trying to recover. Teachers have been overwhelmed with trying to address all the needs of students. Many people are asking how they can help, so I’m promoting donations for the school where I volunteer. They had to close for now because parents are afraid to send their kids to school. When they don’t go to school, they don’t get breakfast or lunch. Hard to think of my Kindergarteners going hungry! Feel free to share -- Help Support Students and Families - Scattering Kindness“
BOOKS FOR KIDS
Here’s an email we received about our children’s books from a reader.
“I had the opportunity to review Flap Forward! Fly Free!, and I must commend the warmth, authenticity, and purpose woven into this story. Drawing inspiration from real-life animal rescue experiences gives the narrative a genuine emotional core, while the themes of courage, cooperation, and community make it deeply relatable for young readers.
What stands out especially is how this book extends beyond a single story. As part of Stella Bella’s Barnyard Adventures, it reinforces consistent, meaningful lessons, kindness, inclusion, individuality, and compassion, brought to life through vibrant watercolor illustrations. The message encouraging children to ask for help and rely on a supportive community is both timely and powerful. Thank you! M.A.”
If you are looking for inspirational books for children that are beautifully illustrated, find information and buy autographed copies with extra goodies with proceeds going to Be the Star You Are!®
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 that brings information and innovative ideas to help with daily living. 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
Listen to our new song, “Youth are our Future…They are our today!” on the Express Yourself!® Teen Radio website. https://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio
ABOUT BE THE STAR YOU ARE!®
Be the Star You Are!® is an all-volunteer organization that operates through contributions, in-kind donations, and proceeds from fundraising events. Be the Star You Are!® does not receive state or federal funding and is solely dependent on contributions from the community and corporations. Be the Star You Are!® is consistently honored as a TOP NON-PROFIT by Guidestar/Candid and Great Non-Profits.
Be the Star You Are!® supports all ethnicities and has no religious or political agendas or affiliations. Be the Star You Are!® is proud to have been serving the community, country, and world since 1999.
DONATE: https://givebutter.com/BTSYA
Share your love of cultures, customs, and CELEBRATE LIVING!
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/conspiracy-of-love
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