[Hadrian (OP)]

I was recently reminded of a story that goes to the heart of why people bother to help others when they are faced with such a mounting of suffering and problems.

Imagine if you were on a beach of golden sand. You know the sort, fine and almost white. The sky is blue with an odd fluffy white cloud gently flouting by. You can feel the warm sun on your face as you look out across a blue crystal clear sea that is lapping the beach like a soft breath. Now, as you turn your head and look down the long sweeping curve of the beach you suddenly see way way down the beach a large patch of orange sand with a small dark moving figure on it. With your burning curiosity driving you on you begin the long walking down the beach towards the orange patch of sand.

You know, who need to go on holiday, when you can imagine such a beautiful place? You know that as far as your mind is concerned what ever you imagine is just as real to it as reality is. That’s why negative thinking is so harmful. Scientists have proved that our thoughts can and do act on us as if what we think is real even physically. Athletes recovering from injury who visualise themselves training and doing their sport lose far less in fitness and conditioning then those who don’t. Anyway, lets get back to the beach.

As you walk on towards the orange patch the small figure begins to become clearer. You soon realise its a little girl wearing one of those old fashioned dresses you see in an old black and white photo. As you get even nearer you see she is bending down and picking up some of the orange sand and throwing it into the sea. Step by step you get nearer and nearer till you suddenly realise that it’s not sand at all. Its millions of tiny orange starfish. As you get even closer you can see the little girl is hopelessly trying to save them from the heat of the sun that is killing them. At last there you are standing in the heat beside her and just have to ask her “What are you doing this for? There is too many to save. You’re wasting your time it will not make any difference.” The little girl stops and looks at the starfish in her hand and says as she throws it back into the sea“It makes a difference to this one.”     

It is so easy to think that our actions are futile against the enormous problems of the world or even the problems of our own life. What if Bob Geldof hasn’t been home to see the TV report the sparked Live Aid? What about the phone call to the journalist who did the report or the mother who staggered into an aide station with her little child barely alive? Her personal struggle to save her child triggered a world event that still is going today. We all make the difference even if we don’t know it. 

[Karen W.]

That is beautiful Hadrian.. I have heard that before and it still is beautiful..

[Hadrian (OP)]

Thanks its my vershion of an old story. i beleve it came from Milton H. Erickson.

[Karen W.]

Thanks for sharing it again..Hadrian.

[Mirage]

Wow, that was a truly beautiful story, I was able to imagine it. Thank you

[Karen W.]

Yes it is..

[Hadrian (OP)]

i am a hypnotherapist too. So i use these sort of stories all the time in my work

[Karen W.]

Well no wonder you mesmerise me...LOL! Hugs to you Hadrian..

[Hadrian (OP)]

smiles all round   [] [] [] [] [] [] [] []

[Karen W.]

It is a very nice story and very meaningful.. Thanks!

[Hadrian (OP)]

thank you for reading it  [] [] []

[Karen W.]

Your welcome!