One day a man was walking along the beach, when he noticed a boy hurriedly picking up and gently throwing things into the ocean. Approaching the boy, he asked, “Young man, what are you doing?”
The boy replied, “Throwing starfish back into the ocean. The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them back, they’ll die.”
The man laughed to himself and said, “Don’t you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish? You can’t make any difference!”
After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, he said, “I made a difference to that one.”
This story, by Loren Eiseley, has stuck with me since childhood. It inspired me to ask mom to buy shoes for a shoeless classmate in elementary school. To take an extra sandwich to give to a hungry friend. To rescue wounded wildlife. To acknowledge homeless people. To love as I want to be loved.
From childhood I have believed one person can make a difference. Each of us is that one person. Find a need and fill it. Be an Ambassador of Love. Lead with Your Heart. Spread Positive Vibes. Show the world what Love Is.
