Greetings Dear Reader,
I am sure that most of you know this story but I will include a short version here for the few of you who do not. Please feel free to skip reading it if you already know it. I will continue on the other side.
The Starfish Story – Laruen Eiseley
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 that 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'll 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 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, "It made a difference for that one."
I think that living in a world of problems and crises dulls us to the daily difference we can make. We see the big and grand things that people do and fail to remember the trifles that are not trifles to those impacted by them. This week I was astounded by the gratitude that a student expressed regarding actions of mine that I had not even considered.
I have written often about the importance of doing well in the moment. It is really being sure that we are being as Christ like as possible in the small things that lead to vast difference making. When I lose this focus I become narrow, hard, and self-contained. It is never the grand gesture that makes the grand difference. It is the little graces.
If you want to make a great difference, try the little things. Make a difference in the moment. A kind word when you have been wronged makes a difference. Graciousness when others are in error makes a difference. Being the first to make peace makes a difference. None of us can be “LIKE CHRSIT.” All of us can practice being Christ like in our small responses and that can add up to a huge difference in the lives of others. All it takes is intent and action.
Wishing you joy in the journey,
Aramis Thorn
Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every scribe who has become a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a home owner. He brings new and old things out of his treasure store."
I am sure that most of you know this story but I will include a short version here for the few of you who do not. Please feel free to skip reading it if you already know it. I will continue on the other side.
The Starfish Story – Laruen EiseleyOnce 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 that 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'll 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 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, "It made a difference for that one."
I think that living in a world of problems and crises dulls us to the daily difference we can make. We see the big and grand things that people do and fail to remember the trifles that are not trifles to those impacted by them. This week I was astounded by the gratitude that a student expressed regarding actions of mine that I had not even considered.
I have written often about the importance of doing well in the moment. It is really being sure that we are being as Christ like as possible in the small things that lead to vast difference making. When I lose this focus I become narrow, hard, and self-contained. It is never the grand gesture that makes the grand difference. It is the little graces.
If you want to make a great difference, try the little things. Make a difference in the moment. A kind word when you have been wronged makes a difference. Graciousness when others are in error makes a difference. Being the first to make peace makes a difference. None of us can be “LIKE CHRSIT.” All of us can practice being Christ like in our small responses and that can add up to a huge difference in the lives of others. All it takes is intent and action.
Wishing you joy in the journey,
Aramis Thorn
Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every scribe who has become a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a home owner. He brings new and old things out of his treasure store."
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