With so much need in the world and so many worthy causes, how can one person, even if they are blessed with wealth, possibly make a difference? It’s easy to fall into the trap of feeling helpless in the face of it all. Ira Riklis certainly feels that way at times. He gives generously of his time and money (not to mention the blood he donates), but even he can’t respond to every request for his support. And he sometimes regrets he can’t do more.
When those feelings arise, Ira Riklis reflects on a story his Rabbi once related to him. A man standing on a beach sees someone walking towards him along the water’s edge. Every so often, the person bends down to pick up something then throws it into the ocean. Eventually, he realizes that the person is a young boy who is picking up starfish and throwing them back into the sea. As the boy approaches, the man asks him: “What are you doing?” “Saving the starfish,” the boy replies, “They’ll die if they remain on the shore.” “Yes,” the man says, “But there are many starfish and you are just one boy. You can’t possible make a difference.” After the boy reaches down to pick up another starfish and toss it into the water, he then turns to the man and says, “I made a difference to that starfish.” Is there a starfish you could save today?