The Starfish Effect: making a difference every day.

For many years, I practiced DRAKs.

~ Daily Random Act of Kindness~

(Not to be confused with Drax the Destroyer,
of the indomitable Guardians of the Galaxy)

– Putting the neighbour’s bin out
– Playing the piano at a care home
– Giving a stranger a genuine compliment
– Allowing someone in front at the till as I’ve got a full trolley
– Giving a homeless person a note instead of the expected coins

Most are easy and have no financial cost.

Even when it’s £10, the return on investment (this is LinkedIn after all) is priceless – for at least two people, never mind the ripple effect.


~The Starfish Story~
One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean.

Approaching the boy, he asked, “What are you doing?”

The youth replied, “Throwing starfish back into the ocean. The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them back, they’ll die.”

“Son,” the man said, “don’t you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish? You can’t make a difference!”

After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it back into the surf.

Then, smiling at the man, he said…” I made a difference for that one.”

– adapted from “The Star Thrower” by Loren C. Eiseley

———-
I regret to say I stopped throwing starfish when Lyra was born.

Sometimes life gets overwhelming and charity has to start at home.

I’m throwing again now. One at a time.

Will you DRAK with me?