The Starfish Story

Just over ten years ago, a friend sent me the Starfish Story. Chances are you’ve heard of it—it’s one of those stories that have been told hundreds of different ways in the time since it was first written. But in case it has slipped your mind, or has managed to slip by you entirely, here is my version.

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This is the second story that embodies the Stars and Jars ethos, and which future work will build upon. There are several messages here which we’ll carry on into later chapters. First, seeking to make the world a better place is a worthwhile pursuit. Second, if we do our own part to do something about the problems we see, no matter how small or insignificant our actions may seem, we can make meaningful changes as individuals. Third, we will never regret having done something.

I am only one; but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; I will not refuse to do the something I can do. ~Helen Keller

A big part of the work related to this story will explore the potential each one of has to make measurable and important changes in addressing some of our most pressing societal problems. As for the other parts of the work related to this story, we will need more context to make sense of them; this will come shortly in the chapters that follow.

As with the Jar of Life story, much of our work will involve exploring what others have had to say about these ideas, and uncovering the evidence supporting the many perspectives–from recent science to timeless insights. In learning how others have explored the big questions, we too, will ask questions of ourselves.