An Insightful Tale

A woman walking along the shore looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. As she got closer, she noticed that the figure was that of a young man, and that what he was doing was not dancing at all. The young man was reaching down to the shore, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the ocean. She came closer still and called out "Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?"

The young man paused, looked up, and replied "Throwing starfish into the ocean."

"I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?" asked the somewhat startled woman.

To this, the young man replied, "The sun is up and the tide is going out. It won’t be good from them if someone doesn’t help."

Upon hearing this, the wise woman commented, "But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? What possible difference can you be making?"

At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and held it up while preparing to toss it back into the ocean. To the wise woman he replied, "I feel like I’m making all the difference in the world…to this one."

This story is attributed to an anthropologist, Loren Eiseley (1907 - 1977). I always passed it along to new employees during orientation. As the company has grown and more orientations are conducted, I’ve been unable continue this activity. We still find ways, whenever possible, to express that our work with others occurs "in the moments" of the day; that right here, right now is where we want our Bridges of Indiana  employees to be. Leaving our worldly problems (and egos) outside the door to be present to give what is needed, when it is needed…that should always be our goal.

Charlie Brooks, Bridges of Indiana Regional Director