After what we have all endured since early 2020 – heartbreaking events that led to protests and civil unrest, unprecedented political divisiveness that spawned an insurrection on our democracy and practically a modern-day civil war, and of course a global pandemic, the likes of which we haven’t seen in a century costing millions of human lives. Then, entering into 2021, the return to more horrific and utterly tragic mass shootings. Consequently, it was no surprise that many of us had reached our breaking point.
But through it all, we also witnessed incredible acts of bravery, boldness, and profiles in courage, to say the least. So I felt compelled and inspired to follow suit…or at least do my part in some small way.
Contextually, I’ve always been moved by a famous parable that was published by Loren Eiseley in 1969. It’s called “The Star Thrower,” or also known as “The Starfish Story”. You may already know it. That story kept coming to me at different parts of my life, and even more intensely over the last year, but I never knew why…. until now.
My intention and goal here is to do what I can to try and shift the energy of our times to a more positive place, to help Negate the Hate, and simply just Grow the Good. It’s actually not that hard to do if we put a little effort into it. Like the Starfish Thrower parable teaches us, perform one act of kindness, do one small thing whenever we can, and it can make a notable or even monumental difference in somebody else’s life. The more that happens, it can literally raise the collective consciousness and vibration within our own minuscule part of the planet, ultimately changing the world…or at least how we interact with our fellow humans within it. And that alone, in my personal opinion, is worth the effort. We owe it not just to ourselves, not just to our kids, but also to future generations.
So, what I am aiming to do here is to initiate a dare and issue a challenge to all of my family members, friends, colleagues, and known associates. The Starfish Challenge!
Not connected to any specific company, organization, or charity. Not selling anything or asking for your money. But I AM asking you to donate something…your time. And to use the kindness I know we all have in us. Ideally, I am hoping this will be a rallying cry to start a movement.
My hope, and humble request, is that you find some way to do a simple good deed for someone you know, or for a complete stranger. Follow your heart to do what you feel would be a kind gesture for someone who not only would appreciate it, but who may truly need it. It doesn’t have to be a grandiose gesture or over-the-top extravaganza. It could be giving some food to a homeless person, giving flowers to a friend who is feeling down, or the classic act of helping an elderly person cross the street. It just needs to be One Small Thing…simply abbreviated and endearingly dubbed an “OST”.
Now just as important as the act itself, I am asking that you document your “OST” via a video then send it to me (Connect@TheStarfishProject.co) so I can post it in the gallery section. By doing so, our community will not only be able to see you get your empathy on with your random (or not so random) act of kindness, but the hope is that those same viewers will be inspired to spread the word and step up to imitate, replicate, simulate, and emulate your example themselves! And if you are so inclined, I would wholeheartedly encourage you to close out your video by paying it forward to issue the challenge to a fellow friend, family member, co-worker, neighbor, and let those folks know you are nominating them as the next Star Thrower. With any luck, those new nominees will accept your challenge and then issue their own to others. THAT is what will help this vision go viral!
It will only take a bit of your time, effort, and teamwork…. and once you contribute that, I guarantee it will make you feel amazing. And, let’s face it, we’ve all been cooped up and quarantining for a very long time. So, if you’ve been vaccinated and feeling more comfortable about getting back outside, this will be a great way to start interacting with your loved ones, and strangers alike. Let’s show there is still some good left in people, that love is stronger than hate, and kindness is more powerful than cruelty.
Now go get your OST on, and…
Be the Host of your OST!
Make the Most of your OST!
Drop your OST, then Ghost!
Let us Boast about your OST!
By allowing me to Post your OST!
And then we will Toast to your OST!
…that is how we can be the change the world needs…together.
Let’s start a Revolution of Human Evolution!