The Girl and the Starfish

One day, an experienced photographer who came frequently to the beach to take pictures of the stunning Vale of Glamorgan coastal landscape, noticed something extraordinary. Hundreds of starfish had washed ashore, and lay drying out under the morning sun. What was even more extraordinary, was the fact that a young girl was walking on the beach all by herself, occasionally picking up a starfish and throwing it back into the sea.
"Foolish girl", the man thought. "Very sweet of her, but what a wasted effort!" He went up to her, and said:
'Good morning, girl. I couldn't help noticing that you are throwing these starfish back into the sea. But just look ahead, there are literally hundreds of them! There's no point trying to save them all, it won't make any difference'.
The girl smiled and looked at him thoughtfully for a moment. Finally she picked up a starfish and threw it back into the sea.
'It will make a difference for this one', she said. 
The man stood there and watched her for a moment. Then he joined her in throwing the other starfish back into the sea.       

No doubt you will have heard this story, adapted from The Star Thrower by Loren Eiseley, in one form or another. It speaks to our inner desire for compassion, justice and respect for individuality. It also poses a very interesting question: Is it worth changing the life of one person, if there are many others out there with similar struggles who are unlikely to get any help?

This is a question which appeals directly to our personal values, and can only be answered individually by each one of us. How much difference are you willing to make? Are you prepared to accept that making some change, is better than no change at all? Are you comfortable in the knowledge that by helping someone, you might be giving them opportunities and resources that others may not get? Or perhaps, by giving the good example with the difference YOU made, you can inspire others to do the same and transform the world?

Some food for thought here! Wishing you all a peaceful and relaxing Sunday.