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 he was walking along the shore. As he looked down the beach,

he saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself to

think of someone who would dance to the day. So he began to walk

faster to catch up.

As he got closer, he saw that it was a young man and the young man wasn’t

dancing, but instead he was reaching down to the shore, picking up

something and very gently throwing it into the ocean.

As he got closer he called out, "Good morning! What are you doing?"

The young man paused, looked up and replied, "Throwing starfish in

the ocean."

I guess I should have asked, why are you throwing starfish

in the ocean?"

"The sun is up, and the tide is going out. And if I don’t throw them in

they’ll die."

"But, young man, don’t you realize that there are miles and miles

of beach, and starfish all along it. You can’t possibly make a difference!"

The young man listened politely. Then bent down, and picked another

starfish and threw it into the sea, past the breaking waves and said,

"It made a difference for that one."

There is something very special in each and every one of us. We have

all been gifted with the ability to make a difference. And if we can

become aware of that gift, we gain through the strength of our visions

the power to shape the future.

We must each find our starfish. And if we throw our stars wisely and well,

the world will be blessed.