one starfish

All throughout my life, I’ve always regarded sports as one of the most important things in my life. They’ve always been there, to a point where I’ve taken my skills for granted. However, in light of a changing world, I have come to realize that taking anything, much less your gifts, for granted is a titanic error.

The thing is in this world, you tend not to notice something, till its gone. I have learned that many times. I’ll use the example of my parents: Like most families, I grew up with both my parents there for me, and didn’t realize how lucky I was to have that, until two years ago, when my parents’ jobs caused them to separate, and ever since then even a dinner with both of them has become a rare occasion; one that I savor. Even when I am at home (wherever that is) I don’t see much of my family, with my sister being at college, and my mother’s and father’s jobs call upon them to work severe overtime.

If there was one thing I could change about the world, I would make people do just that, appreciate what they have, and think, just give a thought about all the good things they have. Their various talents, to have your family with you, to have a shoulder to lean on, people that care about them, or just a place to be educated. It is a sad fact that to more then half of the people on earth, their next meal is uncertain; a place to call home may be nonexistent, people working on farms, selling themselves, finding anyway to get by, with their family and loved ones. Think about that, and do something to help out. Support a charity, send clothes or food to drives, or just pray. A small difference to one person goes a long way.

Like in that Peace Corps commercial, where a young boy is walking down a beach, picking up starfish and throwing them back into the sea, so they don’t get washed up and die. His grandmother strides up to him and says “Oh Jimmie, there are so many miles of shore, and so many starfish. Do you really think you can make a difference?” Jimmie, keeping his eyes on the horizon picks up a starfish and throws it back in, and says softly, “I made a difference to that one.