Important Reminder | Every Life You Touch Matters!
Oct 20, 2024
Hello Difference Makers!
I was introduced to the touching tale below over 15 years ago. As individuals who work in the industry of helping and serving others, let the message within this story be the heartbeat of what we do to make a difference for our team and residents.
“ Once upon a time, there was a gentleman who frequently visited the ocean to write. Each morning, he made it a ritual of walking along the shore before sitting down to get to work. One particular morning, after a storm had passed, he strolled along the beach and discovered it was covered with starfish as far as he could see, stretching in both directions.
In the distance, the old man noticed a young boy heading toward him. As the little boy approached, he paused frequently, and as he got nearer, the man could see him bending down to pick up an object and toss it into the sea.
When the man got closer, he called out, “ May I ask what you’re doing?” The little boy paused, looked up, and replied, “I’m throwing starfish into the ocean. The tide has brought them onto the beach, and they can’t return to the sea on their own,” the boy explained. “When the sun rises high, they will die unless I throw them back into the water.”
The man replied, “But there must be tens of thousands of starfish on this beach. You won’t be able to make much of a difference.” The boy bent down, picked up another starfish, and tossed it as far as he could into the ocean.
He then turned, smiled, and said, “It made a difference to that one!”
Story adapted from The Star Thrower, by Loren Eiseley (1907 – 1977)
In every interaction we have with others, we all have the opportunity to make a positive impact. I believe this story demonstrates that while we may not be able to “save the world,” we can make a difference and change the world for the residents in our facilities. In reality, the small things oftentimes have the biggest effect.
√ A simple smile
√ Listening to stories from their past
√ Acknowledging their discomfort
√ Validating their feelings
√ Spending an extra moment to connect intentionally
√ Exchanging compliments
√ Demonstrating their value and worth
You never know who waits every day in anticipation to interact with you.
We often get overwhelmed by the bigger picture. But remember, it’s all about the long game—one day at a time, one interaction at a time, one resident at a time. You make a difference. You touch lives.
The “Starfish Story” reminds us that each life we touchnmatters.
-The UCampus Group Team
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