Chapter One: A worthwhile read

You know the story.

The one about the little boy on the seashore, tossing back, one by one, washed up starfish.

A man happens by and says to him, "Boy, its not going to make any difference, there are too many."

And as he selects the next one, tossing it in, he replies, "It makes a difference to that one."

And then picking up another and tossing it back he says again, "It makes a difference to that one."

One by one, he picks a starfish up and returns it to the sea.

That story has always resonated deeply.

As it challenges the belief often held, that the little we do, doesn't really make much of a difference in our immediate world or the greater world we are apart of.

It's a danger to believe that our time on this earth may be of little importance, that our everyday choices are insignificant.

As of late, I have become increasingly aware of something.

Our propensity towards sharing negativity.

The latest headlines, local gossip, or the interest we have in the fallen reputations of the 'famous', these are the things that fill the air of our conversation more often than not. 

Why is that?

A negative experience is shared 10 times, while a positive only a few.

Restaurants, salons, shops and the like will have more people wishing to share their negative experiences rather than their enjoyment, at said locations.

Seems a bit peculiar doesn't it?

Our obsession with focusing on the negative.

In honesty, I too, am much to blame for adding to this disposition.

The enormity of what is going wrong can lead one to believe their efforts are meaningless to see a change towards making a positive difference.

I found myself in an environment in 2013, that set a standard for sharing good news. 

The management meetings always began sharing testimonies of good news, experiences or stories of individuals finding breakthrough in difficult circumstances. 

We learned to celebrate before we began dealing with the difficult (or perceived negative) things that needed to be addressed, changed or dealt with to move forward, learn and grow. 

Learning to 'gossip' about the things that build people up, that encourage and inspire.

These are things that provide the hope we need in light of things that happen that are beyond our control.

We can respond by looking at the enormity of the washed up starfish and think it's hopeless, while taking on the, 'What's the point," mentality. 

Or we can choose to see there is hope, even if it impacts a few, it makes a difference.

So I choose to 'gossip' about an inspirational story. 

A friend of mine came a cross a book at an airport that he could choose the amount to pay for. 

(find out why by clicking book)

That intrigued him, which captured his attention to the point of staying up late and waking up early to read, his wife finding him in tears, so moved was he by this story. 

He keep sharing about it.

I knew I must read it myself. 

I highly recommend it!

The book was called Chapter One  written by Daniel Flynn about a vision he and his friends had  to see poverty eradicated in the world, believing they had the ability to make a difference. 

They began an organisation in Australia called Thank You  (click to read their story)

The book was fascinating as you are taken on the journey and heartache of a group of young people driven by sheer passion.

It's inspiring because they saw an opportunity and rather than look at what they didn't have or know, they pushed forward holding to the belief and goal they held with conviction. 

Learning as they went. 

Disappointment and difficulty was a massive part of their story. 

And yet, they live to tell the tale of the significance of the 1, making a decision to help the many. 

Then seeing the 1 become the 2, the 4, the 10.... etc.

It was no longer about the few, but about a group catching hold of a vision they believed could make the difference for the many. 

Every journey of a mile must begin with one step at a time, they say. 

But equally, making a difference that impacts, begins with one choice at a time. 

What choices in your world can you make today, that contribute to bettering our world?
I have the power to make a change.

YOU have the power to make a change.

WE have the power together to make an impact.