01-09-2018, 12:00 AM
The Starfish Story
-Adapted from the original by Loren Eiseley
An old man was walking on the beach
one morning after a storm. In the distance, he
could see someone moving like a dancer.
As he came closer, he saw that it was a young
woman picking up starfish and gently throwing
them in the ocean. "Young lady, why are you
throwing starfish into the ocean?"
"The sun is up, and the tide is going out, and if
I do not throw them in they will die," she said.
"But young lady, do you not realize that there
are many miles of beach and thousands of starfish?
You cannot possibly make a difference."
The young woman listened politely, then bent down,
picked up another starfish and threw it into the sea.
"It made a difference for that one."
---------
During the passing of a lifetime, there are pockets of good people in the world. If we're lucky enough we bump into others who are also tossing back starfish. Sometimes we, ourselves, become the starfish and are tossed back into the water by a kind hand (or few). As a starfish helper, sometimes we don't have the opportunity to speak with a fellow starfish helper on the beach; but we can witness them helping the starfish, from the shadows of a treeline. There are times my heart aches because I cannot express it fully, in the way I prefer, due to reasons. Still, it brings me peace to see people on the shoreline throwing back starfish. A reminder that I am not alone in this world. That there is always someone trying to make a difference in whatever small way they can. This makes my heart full. To fellow starfish throwers, thank you for being the kindness this world needs. The world sees your efforts, you are important and immensely cherished--even if we can't say it to you directly or all of the time. Know that there's a very deep and heartfelt appreciation for the spiritual work you do for yourself and for others. Thank you for being a beautiful soul, I needed you. When I saw the divine in you, I was reminded of the divine in me.
-Adapted from the original by Loren Eiseley
An old man was walking on the beach
one morning after a storm. In the distance, he
could see someone moving like a dancer.
As he came closer, he saw that it was a young
woman picking up starfish and gently throwing
them in the ocean. "Young lady, why are you
throwing starfish into the ocean?"
"The sun is up, and the tide is going out, and if
I do not throw them in they will die," she said.
"But young lady, do you not realize that there
are many miles of beach and thousands of starfish?
You cannot possibly make a difference."
The young woman listened politely, then bent down,
picked up another starfish and threw it into the sea.
"It made a difference for that one."
---------
During the passing of a lifetime, there are pockets of good people in the world. If we're lucky enough we bump into others who are also tossing back starfish. Sometimes we, ourselves, become the starfish and are tossed back into the water by a kind hand (or few). As a starfish helper, sometimes we don't have the opportunity to speak with a fellow starfish helper on the beach; but we can witness them helping the starfish, from the shadows of a treeline. There are times my heart aches because I cannot express it fully, in the way I prefer, due to reasons. Still, it brings me peace to see people on the shoreline throwing back starfish. A reminder that I am not alone in this world. That there is always someone trying to make a difference in whatever small way they can. This makes my heart full. To fellow starfish throwers, thank you for being the kindness this world needs. The world sees your efforts, you are important and immensely cherished--even if we can't say it to you directly or all of the time. Know that there's a very deep and heartfelt appreciation for the spiritual work you do for yourself and for others. Thank you for being a beautiful soul, I needed you. When I saw the divine in you, I was reminded of the divine in me.