January 13, 2025

In a 1969 essay by Loren Eiseley, he writes about a man walking down a beach and watching a boy throw starfish into the ocean. One by one, the boy is busy picking up these starfish that washed up on shore and throwing them back with all his might.

The man asks the boy what he’s doing, sounding and likely feeling perplexed. There are likely hundreds if not a thousand of these starfish. The boy with confidence and purpose tells the man that the starfish will die if he doesn't throw them back in.

With laughter, the man tells the young boy that he cant possible make a difference, there are simply way too many starfish and way too much beach to cover. The boy picks up yet another starfish and responds with, a strong throw. Then smiles, turns to the man and says, "I made a difference to that one."

There are many things we can draw from this story. What I gather here and now is when it comes to our habits. Our goal seems hard, there is a lot to do. Many starfish to touch and miles of beach ahead of us. But in our choices - our daily habits, we can make a difference in our lives. Towards our goals or resolutions, towards the life we want.

By doing it, one day at a time. By doing one thing at a time. It comes down to the compounding effect of doing it, time after time. Day after day because each choice we make, contributes to the difference we want to see or pursue

We must throw ourselves far. With all our might. Because you can make a difference.