Reflection Journal #5

 

image from: https://www.beachcombingmagazine.com/blogs/news/the-starfish-is-not-a-fish

Starfish hurling
I have always liked the parable of the starfish about the child who is actively throwing starfish back into the ocean and when questioned about the difference he could possibly make considering the vast amount of starfish on the shore he replies that he made a difference to that one. I live near the Pacific Ocean and am well versed in tide changes, exposed starfish and the ecosystems that interact with starfish. I have never considered that hurling starfish into the sea to "save" them might actually be a negative thing. Are the ways that we help others productive or enabling? Do they disrupt natural consequences or cause problems that we did not foresee? Is the way I engage in community service the best use of my energy, time and talents or is it flinging things into the wide world thinking that I made a difference for whatever I removed from a situation and hurled into another situation. Is my behavior reflective of my desires or truly meeting a need? If it is meeting a need, do I understand the true need and have I developed a legitimate solution to apply to the need? These questions are deep cutting questions in my life.
When we adopted, I was conflicted about whether international adoption is the best solution to the orphanage situation in the world. I feel that the high numbers of orphans in the world who are raised in institutions and in many societies emerge as second class citizens, is a stain upon our global humanity. Adoption might save the "one" but it does not address the underlying problem. If we truly want to make a difference we need to look beyond the "one" and see the bigger picture. While I think that there are many situations where helping the one is important
image from: https://www.environmental-finance.com/content/market-insight/making-an-impact.html


The key is impact. What impact do we have on others? What impact do we hope to have?

This video is a great one about assessing our impact and how we express our mission.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMEpvxGBkFU

I know the impact I hope to have on my family, my community and the world. I can focus my energy and time in ways that allow for true impact. I can be deliberate and proactive in reaching goals. I can do more than hurl starfish. 



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