The greatest mistake is to do nothing because you can only do a little.

"I am only one, but I am one.  I cannot do everything, but I can do something.  And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do."  ~Edward Everett Hale.

Story Line:

There are times in life and career when one wonders if what he/she does makes a difference, or if there is any significance to a “seemingly small” task performed by someone.

The following story by Loren Eisley was sent by a reader from Ghana in response to last week’s Friday Reflection, and was also previously sent by readers from Ireland, Malaysia and Korea.  It has real good points to ponder for individuals, managers and teachers.

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.”

Reflections:
How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.  "Anne Frank" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wuSaNCIde4&feature=related

*The title of this FR is a quote by -- Sydney Smith, English clergyman and writer

Comments

[Malay Man]

There are usually 2 groups of people ...

Those keep thinking of what they cannot do ...
Those who keep thinking of what they can do ...

And as results ... both are correct ! Those keep thinking what they cannot do will do nothing ... those who thinking what can be done will make things happen !

Thanks and rgds
Friend from malaysia

[Malay Man]

There are usually 2 groups of people ...

Those keep thinking of what they cannot do ...
Those who keep thinking of what they can do ...

And as results ... both are correct ! Those keep thinking what they cannot do will do nothing ... those who thinking what can be done will make things happen !

Thanks and rgds

[Tim]

This is a good one.

[Swamy]

Very reason why we need fresh mindset in the workforce. Old guards are set in thier own way.

The girl in the video set a good example for old man. (:-

[Bat Boy]

This is the problem I see often. People want to hit home run or grand slam in first at bat (take on only high visibility projects). Unfortunately,such occurrences are rare and mostly luck of draw. Most of the time such people stike out looking.

Real life is different. A lot of singles, a few steals and walks and reach the home plate. (Achieve great things over time)

[LSD]

I like this wake up call!

[Edgar]

This was a good one. Thanks for sharing.

[Madhuri Narkhede]

This story reminds me of another anecdote;
1 tree makes 1 million matchsticks.
But 1 matchstick can burn 1 million trees.
Similarly 1 negative thought or doubt can burn thousands of dreams....
Be Positive Always ! Madhuri

[christian louboutin]

It is so useful information for us to read.