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,
picked up 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.