WHAT IS YOUR STARFISH by Pennie Hunt

You may have heard the story…
​
An old man had a habit of early morning walks on the beach. One day, after a storm, he saw a human figure in the distance moving like a dancer. As he came closer, he saw that it was a young woman, and she was not dancing but was reaching down to the sand, picking up starfish and very gently throwing them into the ocean.
"Young lady," he asked, "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."
"But young lady, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and starfish all along it? You cannot possibly make a difference."
The young woman listened politely, paused, and then bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it into the sea, past the breaking waves, saying, "It made a difference for that one."

The starfish story is attributed to Loren Eiseley’s original 1969 essay, “The Star Thrower.”  His writing was much longer and more complex than this simplistic version. Today you can find the condensed script with varied characters and details on plaques in gift shops, quoted in books, and overused in marketing and speeches to motivate charitable giving and inspire individual responsibility.

Living my life within the world of speakers, I have heard deep sighs and witnessed eye rolls at the mention of this story being included in a presentation. But today, as I watched the news spotlight the devastating flooding, fires, heat ravaging our world and the anger, disappointment, and hopelessness people are feeling, the simplicity of the starfish story came to my mind.

I can’t sit in my living room and stop a war, put out fires, or take the downpour of rain from the flooded areas and move it to the drought-ridden lands. I can’t stop shootings in grocery stores, parks, and schools. I can’t change the anger and finger-pointing in the political arena.

But what we can do…We can find our starfish.

We can bring home a rescue dog and give them a forever home. Will that solve the problem of overpopulated shelters? Maybe not, but it will make a difference to that one.

We can find a nonprofit with a mission we care about and volunteer our time or make a donation. Will that help every nonprofit? Maybe not, but it will make a difference to that one.

We can lead with kindness. With every interaction with another person, be kind. Your barista, your lunch server, your coworker, your friends and family members. Be kind to the next person you see today. Will that make a difference in the life if every person in the world? Maybe not, but being kind to one person at a time matters. It will make a difference to that one.
 
We cannot save everyone or solve every problem in the world, but what you do matters to the one you can help. Don’t be overwhelmed with the scope of a problem or issue. Small consistent actions can create change.

Throw one starfish at a time.
Be kind to one person at a time.
Support one organization at a time.
Encourage empathy and compassion in one situation at a time.

Now more than ever, we need to make a difference where we can. Now more than ever, every small act of kindness matters. We need to find our starfish. The cynics may say throwing one or two won’t make a difference… but maybe it will.  
What is your starfish?
                                 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
                                                   Pennie’s Life Lesson: 
                                      Every small act of kindness matters.
​                                              ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

---

​YOUR TURN...        
Share your thoughts and experiences relating to this post in a comment below.  And please feel free to email me  at:
 [email protected]. 
                                                                 Thank you!  ​
                                      ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
                                                         All Rights Reserved
                                          Copyright © 2013-2026 Pennie Hunt
                             This was written and produced by Pennie Hunt.
Feel free to forward and share this post.  Please keep the entire message intact, including  contact, logo, and copyright information.
#CornerofSpiritandBrave #LoveYourLifeNoMatterWhat #JourneyThrough #PennieHunt #IAmGoodEnough #grief #Love #Joy #HowToBeHappy #Happiness