In AmeriCorps, you often get asked, “What is your definition of service?” While the answer is far too grand to give the word the meaning it deserves, the only thing that ever comes to mind is the Starfish Story.
The story goes:
One day a man was walking along the beach, when he noticed a boy hurriedly picking up and gently throwing things into the ocean.
Approaching the boy, he asked, “Young man, what are you doing?”
The boy replied, “Throwing starfish back into the ocean. The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them back they’ll die.”
The man laughed to himself and said, “Don’t you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish? You can’t make any difference!”
After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it into the surf. Then smiling at the man, he said, “I made a difference to that one.”
Millennials have the reputation of wanting to make a global difference in the world. We want to live knowing that we have a purpose and are actively making a difference. We work to make our mark in the world before we leave it. However, sometimes this line of thinking can be criticized as being to too ambitious or a pipe dream. Working on global issues such as world hunger, human trafficking, or homelessness is a waste of time unless you can achieve it large scale. Our efforts cant possibly make a difference. Sound familiar?
In response, I say start small. Do something to improve the life of one person. Whether it be giving them a compliment, sharing a meal, or giving your time, the impact could be far greater than expected. If you can make the difference in just once life, then you’ve made a difference, but don’t stop there.
Service has been part of my life for the past 9 years. In 2009, I started volunteering at the hospital, where my mom worked, every summer through high school. I was a part of service clubs in high school and engaged in several individual opportunities throughout college as well. After college, I started to volunteer as an usher at the downtown performing arts center. In 2017, I joined AmeriCorps NCCC where I served the southern region of the United States over the course of 11 months. Now I am looking to expand my horizons on the World Race.
Issues on the global stage are not capable of being solved alone or overnight. It could take years, decades, or millenniums to solve an issue. There are issues that may never be capable of solving. If you set your sights on solving the big picture, you will surely end up discouraged and unmotivated, however, if you focus on the individual or community in front of you, change is possible.
During my time on the World Race I will not solve will not solve world hunger. I will not save the masses. I will not eradicate poverty in third world countries. I am well aware of these facts because I am only one person.
What I will do on the Race is make a difference in peoples lives. They may not be life altering differences, but rather small daily acts of kindness. It may be a note that inspires someone. It may be giving a hug to someone who needs it. It may be a smile or sharing the love of God with someone who is lost. It all starts with one person, one starfish, and to them it will make all the difference.
In 1 John 3:18 it says “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”
Show love through actions.
Be a starfish thrower.
