“The purpose of life is to contribute in some way to making things better.”
Robert F. Kennedy
The Star Fish Story, It made a difference for that one
An old man walked across a beach until he came across a young boy throwing something into the breaking waves.
Upon closer inspection, the old man could see that the boy was tossing stranded starfish from the sandy beach, back into the ocean.
“What are you doing young man?” He asked.
“If the starfish are still on the beach when the sun rises, they’ll die.” The boy answered.
“That is ridiculous. There are thousands of miles of beach and millions of starfish. It doesn’t matter how many you through in; you can’t make a difference.” The old man said.
At this, the boy bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said, “It made a difference for that one.”
(The starfish story adapted from The Star Thrower, by Loren Eiseley 1907 – 1977)
How Often Do You Make a Small Difference? by Sat Sindhar
If everything you did had to have a huge, immediate impact before you gave it a little of your time, then you’d end up doing very little with your life. And sometimes, the little things we do can add up and turn into big things – they make ripples that spread further than we can see.
Those starfish that the young boy saved may have gone on to produce thousands more.
So the next time you get chance to make a small difference, don’t think of the big picture and just do it – after all, it might not make a difference to you, but to somebody else, it might.
Moral of the story from Marica Zammit
The starfish story is a good reminder to us all that yes, even the smallest thing can make a difference. And if we can touch just one person with a simple gesture, then we must not let that opportunity pass by without doing something.
Bible Verse
“God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.”
1 Peter 4:10 (NLT)
Additional Reading
Making A Difference: A Matter Of Purpose, Passion & Pride by Steve Gilliland
Make A Difference: In the lives of those you love, live with, and lead by Dr. Larry Little
Points of Reflection
“There is nothing more beautiful than someone who goes out of their way to make life beautiful for others.”
Mandy Hale
“To make a difference in someone’s life, you don’t have to be brilliant, rich, beautiful, or perfect. You just have to care enough and be there.”
Anonymous