In The Doctors Chair : The Story of the Starfish ⭐️

I encourage and support people to live their best lives through optimising wellbeing, vitality and health span.

Last week brought the Easter celebration and a reminder of how life’s burdens can be overcome. While we all have crosses to bear at some point in life, we can find the inner strength to rise again.

Mother Teresa put it so well when she said that ‘not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.’

That idea resonated with me over the long weekend as I thought about two things.

Firstly the starfish story or The Star Thrower written back in 1969 by Loren Eiseley which when paraphrased goes something like this.

An old man had the daily habit of walking on the beach each morning before he began his work as a writer. One day early, after a big storm had passed, the vast beach was littered with starfish as far as the eye could see. As the man walked the beach, he noticed a small boy approaching. Every so often he stopped to bend down to pick up something and throw it into the sea. As the boy got close, the man asked what he was doing?

The young boy looked up and said :

‘Throwing these starfish back into the sea. You see the tide has washed them up onto the beach after the storm and they aren’t able to return to the sea by themselves. They’re going to die when the sun gets strong later on unless I throw them back in.’

The man replied: ‘But there’s thousands of starfish here on the beach. I’m afraid you won’t be able to make much of a difference.

’

With that the boy bent down and picked up a starfish from the glistening sand. Turning toward the ocean, he threw it with all his might. As the starfish disappeared without a trace into the sky blue water, he turned towards the man and smiling said ‘It made a difference to that one.’

There’s times in life when we all need help or support, a listening ear or a kind word. We all experience setbacks and disappointment, we all struggle at times. We are all human.

Which brings me to my second reflection, as I recently received a beautifully crafted and thoughtful thank you note from someone whom I had been able to support through a challenging time. This person had experienced severe burnout about a year ago and had attended me in need of help. That was then.

Fast forward to about a month ago when I had most recently seen this person and reflected on how much he had recovered and recharged over the previous twelve months. Receiving this note of appreciation last week was so appreciated, more than words can convey. It was totally unexpected and brightened up a really busy day.

Here it is (published with permission but name withheld of course !)

‘Dear Mark,

I want to say how much I appreciate your support to me in the past year. 

When I first came to see you I didn't know where to start, to get to where I wanted to be in my life. On reflection I didn't even know how I needed to see you then. It was such a relief to actually speak the words that flowed (involuntarily)from me. I had no idea I was holding so much inside.

You put me on the right path of recovery, and over the past year I have slowly come out of the toxic environment that had literally engulfed me. 

I focused on me, and in your words, became my own CEO!

It hasn't always been a easy process,  but it's one that I know will stand to me as I grow into the years ahead. 

Thank you so much Mark, I am forever grateful.’

As I highlighted and quoted earlier, ‘not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.’

What about you?

What are some small steps that you can take to make a difference for others this week ? Who can you thank and show appreciation to? Small intentional acts of kindness can make a big difference!

Something to think about perhaps. ⭐️

Yours in health and wellbeing

Mark