Every year we look forward to fall break. It’s usually the first week of October, and it has become our favorite time to go to the beach. At least once each trip I enjoy waking up to experience the sunrise. It offers a gentle yet powerful exclamation of the wonders of God’s creation. I also enjoy the solitude and peacefulness of walking on a beach as the sun rises. In the chaos of our daily routine it’s easy to miss these wonders. There are few things as beautiful as watching the sun rise over the horizon and listening to all the sounds of nature waking up around you. These walks on the beach remind me of one of my favorite stories…
Once upon a time, there was an old man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach every morning before he began his work. Early one morning, he was walking along the shore after a big storm had passed and found the vast beach littered with starfish as far as the eye could see, stretching in both directions.
Off in the distance, the old man noticed a small boy approaching. As the boy walked, he paused every so often and as he grew closer, the man could see that he was occasionally bending down to pick up an object and throw it into the sea. The boy came closer still and the man called out, “Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?”
The young boy paused, looked up, and replied “Throwing starfish into the ocean. The tide has washed them up onto the beach and they can’t return to the sea by themselves,” the youth replied. “When the sun gets high, they will die, unless I throw them back into the water.”
The old man replied, “But there must be tens of thousands of starfish on this beach. I’m afraid you won’t really be able to make much of a difference.”
The boy bent down, picked up yet another starfish and threw it as far as he could into the ocean. Then he turned, smiled and said, “It made a difference to that one!” (Original Story by Loren Eiseley)
When I first heard this story I thought, probably like many of you, that I would be just like the little boy. Maybe I would, but the reality is that throughout my life I’ve also been the old man… and I’ve been the starfish too. Life presents many chances to pick others up when they need it. And just like the boy in the story, sometimes actions can literally save the lives of others.
No matter how good our circumstances there will be times when we’re like the starfish. We’ll need someone there to lift us up. I also suspect there are times where we’ll be the old man who questions the intentions and impact of those who are trying to make a difference. I hope we’re around people like the little boy who are willing to help no matter the odds… and who are bold enough to guide us if we’re the skeptic… and who are willing to change one outcome. What if we all approached each day to Change One ?
Change One serves as a reminder for why we started Career Launch Group. One at a time, we help get people to a place where they are using their gifts and passions. We help set a course toward a meaningful career journey.
If you’re in the middle of a career transition, or you’re at the beginning of your journey… We want to help.
Change One.
-Wade