Okay, Go Ahead... Eliminate the Starfish!

 Okay, Go Ahead... Eliminate the Starfish!

An ancient tale describes a man who, while strolling down a beach, notices another man behaving in an unusual manner off in the distance. He draws nearer and sees the man raking objects out of the sand and dropping them into the ocean.

When he gets there, he realizes that the flotsam are starfish that the tide has washed up on beach. The first man said, "What are you doing?" out of curiosity regarding his objectives.

"These starfish are going to be saved," he said. Until the tide comes back, they will perish in the sun.

This statement really caught the first man off guard, and he responded with a touch of indignation, asking, "Aren't you being a little silly?" It won't make a dent if you toss a handful back into the ocean; there are hundreds of thousands—if not millions—of starfish there.

The second man remained calm and said nothing. He retrieved another starfish and released it into the ocean. He paused for a second before turning to face the initial man and stating, "I just made a difference for that one."

Even though it's old, the story is still fantastic and it reminds us (or at least me) of some essential lessons in life.

It is not surprising that many of us have grown accustomed to viewing our situation in life through a cynical lens, considering the recent global upheaval and the daily stresses that individuals face. The idea that we are unable to change anything and that our actions and opinions don't amount to much in the grand scheme of things is something we come to terms with. Consequently, we avoid dealing with situations that we feel are beyond our control by withdrawing mentally.

The end effect is that our actions reflect a pessimistic view, or, to use a metaphor, we tend to see the positive side of things. Almost everyone can probably think of someone they know that fits this description.

A fundamental psychological desire for individuals is to discover harmony and meaning in their everyday lives, and the starfish story helps to emphasize this point.

The question of whether the starfish or its donor gained more would be debatable. Taking a chance on coming across as rather "out there," we could wonder: whose life was improved in this instance? Perhaps the starfish's life was spared, but the man, albeit in a minor way, discovered "Purpose" and, without a doubt, the joy that accompanies helping others.

Psychologists will tell us that our bodily chemistry is naturally influenced by our true feelings of accomplishing something simple but nice, even though it's easy to disregard this discovery as a little academic or dumb. In a nutshell, endorphins are chemicals that our bodies generate in response to positive emotions; these chemicals then activate our brain and other important organs, leading to enhanced health, more enjoyment, and a more balanced life. Rather than receiving, it is preferable to give, as we have all heard. Trust me!

The starfish example may be simplistic, yet the principle or rule still applies to more nuanced human interactions. Those who have a glimmer of "Purpose"—however small—discover that they are more powerful than they thought. If they have a "Purpose," they can't possibly be aimless.

Work gives many people their sense of purpose. The task they do is not something they fear, but rather something they look forward to and enjoy. Being with them at work is always a delight. This takes us to what is arguably the most crucial point: people who find meaning in their families are more likely to discover happiness, fulfillment, and pleasure in their own lives. However, this can only happen when they serve others, which is their purpose.

Traditional family, school, and church structures provided a firm foundation for purpose-based coaching a generation ago. Everyone learned to "do unto others" as a fundamental principle. Unfortunately, though, we are now living in different times. There has been a shift in the typical family unit. Maybe it's even malfunctioning. The significance of religious institutions is diminishing as the population grows, and the modern workplace is more difficult, complicated, and stressful than in the past.

What was the outcome? An almost epidemic proportion of the population is dealing with mental health issues and physical health crises. A world where far too many people lack enjoyment, meaning in life, and the ability to realize their full potential. "The majority of people lead lives of subtle despair," Mazlow remarked at one point.

What, therefore, are the takeaways from the starfish situation? Okay, here are two things.

1) The guy benefited more than the starfish did from the act of saving them. Our own well-being is enhanced by acts of generosity and service. The payoff? The goal is to Existence has a purpose.

2) The Factor of Contagion: The starfish tale exemplifies virtue, kindness, and knowledge, but it does not reveal what happens when these qualities are applied. The possibility that the second man was moved is not far-fetched. He may feel compelled to change his own cynical attitude after witnessing such generosity.

We are aware that acts of selflessness teach others a lesson and inspire them to do the same. Contagiousness is key! Circularity, or more accurately, "What goes around, comes around," is another key feature. Joy, contentment, health, hope, and a sense of direction are some of the benefits it offers.

Okay, then... What? "Throw a starfish!"

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