Making a Difference: Focussing on What You Can Affect
It can be easy to get overwhelmed by the vastness of the world’s problems. I see news headlines, social media posts, and hear conversations that often highlight the enormity of issues like the crisis in our schools and health and social care service. It can be difficult to know where to start when there seems to be so much that needs to change. A colleague of mine reminded me to think about the difference I can make to one person and to concentrate on that and this really helps me – I have the word “Starfish” over my desk as a constant reminder of this. The story about starfish on the beach beautifully illustrates the power of focusing on the difference you can make and the ongoing ripple effect it can create.
The Starfish Story
One day, a man was walking along the beach, where thousands of starfish had been washed ashore by the tide. As he walked, he could see someone moving like a dancer. As he came closer, he saw it was a young woman picking up starfish and gently throwing them back into the ocean.
Curious, the man approached and asked, “Why are you doing this?” She replied – “The sun is up and the tide is going out and if I do not throw them in they will die”. He replied “But there are so many starfish on this beach. You can’t possibly make a difference.”
The woman paused, looked at the starfish in her hand, and then threw it into the water. Turning back to the man, she said, “It made a difference to that one.”
The Lesson: Focus on What You Can Change
This story offers me a powerful lesson: while I may not be able to solve every problem, I can make a difference in my own small way. Our actions can create a ripple effect, inspiring others and amplifying our impact. Remember:
- Small Actions Matter: We are contributing to a greater good.
- The Ripple Effect: Acts of kindness and positive change can inspire others to do the same – we may never know the impact we have had.
- Concentrate on what you can do: Instead of trying to tackle everything at once
- Celebrate Successes: Acknowledge and celebrate the differences you make, no matter how small. Every starfish saved is a win!
One of the things that really helps me is belonging to a network of people committed to helping people with learning disabilities live their best life and challenging the status quo. It can seem overwhelming at times but we thought about the starfish during our last meet up and not to be disheartened because our individual actions are making a collective difference!
By focusing on what we can change, we become part of a larger movement of positive impact. Each action we take creates a ripple effect, spreading positivity and inspiring others. Instead of being bogged down by what we can’t change, let’s celebrate the difference we can make, one starfish at a time.
