The Difference He Made By Randy Poole

Amidst the morning mist of the swift returning tide
I set out on my daily run, my walkman on my side.
Lost within my private world apart from cares and woes
I ran along the moistened shore, the sand between my toes.

In the distance, I saw a boy, as busy as can be.
He was running, stooping, picking up, and tossing in the sea.
Just what he threw, I couldn't tell, I looked as I drew near.
It seemed to be a rock or shell - as I approached him I could hear:

"Back you go, where you belong. Your safe now hurry home.
Your family's waiting for you little starfish, hurry on!"
It seemed the evening tide had washed the starfish on the shore,
And the swift receding water left a thousand there or more.

And this self-appointed savior, was trying one-by-one
To toss them back into the sea, against the racing sun.
I saw his plight was hopeless, that most of them would die.
I called out from my private world, "Hey Kid, why even try?"

"Must be at least a thousand here, strewn along the beach,
And even if you had the time, most you'll never reach.
You really think it makes a difference, to waste your time this way?"
And then I paused and waited, just to hear what he would say.

He stooped and took another, and looked me in the eye.
"It makes a difference to this one sir, this starfish will not die!"
With that, he tossed the little life, back where there was hope.
He stooped to take another. I could tell this was no joke.

The words that he spoke to me cut like a surgeon's knife.
Where I saw only numbers, he saw only life.
He didn't see the multitude of starfish on the sand.
He only saw the little life he held there in his hand.

He didn't stop to argue, to prove that he was right.
He just kept tossing starfish in the sea with all his might.
So I too stooped, and I picked up, and I tossed into the sea,
And I thought, just what a difference, that this boy has made in me.

Saw this poem version of 'The Star Thrower' on the net... very meaningful... reminded me of the days in St. Nicks... when Pearl first told us the story. Beautiful story with a meaningful message... make a difference to that one... ^^ love it...
Actually, the song 'Sekai ni Hitotsu dake no Hana' (by yours truly SMAP...) means the same thing... in a sense... it's not necessary to be No. 1... but more importantly, that special only one... well.. here saying that we should be true to ourselves; be that special one to the people around you.
Why compete?
Why strive to be No. 1 in everything?
Well... in the first place, there's always someone out there who's better than you in a way or another... and since everyone is so unique... instead of comparing with other people who's better, why not stop and appreciate how beautifully different everyone is? Stop the hussle bussle of life and smell the roses once in a while... that'll make the world a better place...
Just read clare's blog... life is so fragile isn't it? I dunno that person... *mixed feelings* God Bless her and her family...
I think to take ur own life is something that takes alot of courage, if you have courage to take your own life, and face death... why don't you have the courage to face everyday? Tomorrow will still come even if it's the end of the world today. For those facing the crossroads of your life today... dun give up (yamenna yo~!!) try to remember... whatever happens today... tomorrow will still come, and there's this chinese song that goes.. ming tian hui gen hao I think that's true... ten years down the road, I think when you look back at this period of your life, you'll be glad that you have somehow managed to grow past this period of your life and emerged stronger and more mature. I know this is easier said than done... that's why some choose to take the easy way out; don't think and just 'jump'... is it worth it? I don't know...