My peer at work, MC shared the Starfish Story and since then I haven’t stopped thinking about it.
The story is an inspiring one and attributed to a 16-page essay of the same name by Loren Eiseley (1907–1977), published in 1969 in The Unexpected Universe. Many versions of the story are available online and I can’t say for sure which one is original. Also, don’t go behind the science here – I am not an expert.
So here is the story and as you read you will love it too. I know.
As an old man walked the beach at dawn, he noticed a girl ahead of him picking up starfish and flinging them into the sea. Finally catching up with the girl, he asked why she was doing this. She answered that the starfish would die if left until the morning Sun.
“But the beach goes on for miles and miles and there are millions of starfish”, said the old man. “How can your effort make any difference?”
The girl looked at the starfish in her hand, threw it safely into the waves and said, “It matters to that one!”
How many times have you thought that one good act doesn’t make any difference? How many times have you thought it doesn’t matter?
What ever we do, it matters. Good or bad. To one or to many. It matters. It does.
Linking up this story with Mel’s Microblog Mondays #302 today.
happiness and food 
I’ve often had the thought of whether small acts ever make a difference. True that collectively individual acts could help, but what when you don’t see the collective action happening? This is a heartwarming story, indeed each act matters. It feels good to be reassured.
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I have heard this story somewhere!! Yes, i believe in my satisfaction in doing something good, if not matters to many.. but feel tough to apply all time!
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I like that. Thanks.
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For much of my life, I have irrationally believed that I’m not doing enough. When I worked as a counselor, there were some people I could not seem to reach. The starfish story has always helped me see that every act of kindness helps.
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I heard this story before:) it still inspires whenever I read, thanks for sharing.
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Every life we touch (even if it is just one) is our step towards fulfilling the purpose of our existence. This story has a powerful message that deserves to be retold many times ❤
Thank you sharing, Parul.
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My pleasure . I loved it too.
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