You CAN make a difference! A story of perspective.
From The Star Thrower by anthropologist and writer, Loren
Eiseley (1907-1977)
Once upon a time, there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.
One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought of someone who would dance to the day, and so, he walked faster to catch up.
As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, and what he was doing was not dancing at all. The young man was reaching down to the shore picking up small objects and throwing them into the ocean.
He came closer still and called out, "Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?"
The young man paused, looked up and replied "Throwing starfish into the ocean."
"I must ask then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?" asked the somewhat startled wise man.
To this, the young man replied" The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them in they will die!"
Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, "But young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are thousands of starfish all along every mile? You can't possibly make a difference!"
At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said, "I made a difference to that one!"
"The Star Thrower" is a classic story of the power within each one of us to make a difference in the lives of others. A very powerful reminder that we should be here for each other, and seek to help even with what seems a small way to us.
In such turbulent times as these, when we may feel alone, small and unable to make any lasting changes we may find ourselves asking..."What can I do that will make a difference?" or "What can one one small person like me possibly do?" Encourage one another, speak life into someones life. Take time to listen. Proverbs 15:1 NIV
When we become throwers of the stars, we too have to power to change the world.
Once upon a time, there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.
One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought of someone who would dance to the day, and so, he walked faster to catch up.
As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, and what he was doing was not dancing at all. The young man was reaching down to the shore picking up small objects and throwing them into the ocean.
He came closer still and called out, "Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?"
The young man paused, looked up and replied "Throwing starfish into the ocean."
"I must ask then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?" asked the somewhat startled wise man.
To this, the young man replied" The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them in they will die!"
Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, "But young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are thousands of starfish all along every mile? You can't possibly make a difference!"
At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said, "I made a difference to that one!"
"The Star Thrower" is a classic story of the power within each one of us to make a difference in the lives of others. A very powerful reminder that we should be here for each other, and seek to help even with what seems a small way to us.
In such turbulent times as these, when we may feel alone, small and unable to make any lasting changes we may find ourselves asking..."What can I do that will make a difference?" or "What can one one small person like me possibly do?" Encourage one another, speak life into someones life. Take time to listen. Proverbs 15:1 NIV
When we become throwers of the stars, we too have to power to change the world.
Agreed! That smile ONE stranger shines upon you makes all the difference in a world where everyone is hustling and not paying attention to each other. Thanks for this great post!
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