When you feel helpless, read this story

It's been a heavy week... a heavy year.

In times where I feel a little helpless, I like to reread this story. Some of you might remember I sent it out in January during the bushfires, and it is honestly one of my favourite stories to remind me that I can make a difference no matter how futile my efforts seem.

Can one person make a difference? Read on.

~
THE STORY OF THE DANCING GIRL

Once upon a time, there was an old lady who used to go to the ocean to do her writing. She had a habit of walking on the beach before she starts her day.

As she was walking along the shore one morning, she looked further down the beach and saw a little human figure moving like a dancer. She smiled to herself at the thought of how joyful this sight was and walked faster to catch up to the moving figure.

As she got closer, she noticed that the figure was that of a young girl and that what she was doing was not dancing at all. The young girl was reaching down to the shore, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the ocean.

She came closer still and called out ‘Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?’ 

The young girl paused, looked up, and replied ‘Throwing starfish into the ocean.’

‘I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?’ asked the somewhat startled wise lady.

To this, the young girl replied, ‘The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them in, they’ll die!’, as she picked up a starfish and threw it back into the ocean.

Upon hearing this, the wise lady commented, ‘But, young lady, do you not realise that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile. You can’t possibly make a difference!’

At this, the young girl bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, she said, ‘It made a difference for that one.’

~

We at the League, have been deeply hurt by the racial injustice that's been brought to the surface. We're committed to a lifelong journey towards anti-racism, and we hope you'll be here with us.

Anti-racism is the only way forward. If you'd like to read up on more resources on how to help make a difference, we've added some resources to this post. 

Yes, one person can make a difference.
 

Stay in solidarity,

Sheryl Thai, CEO

League of Extraordinary Women