The meaning behind the starfish logo...

I first heard this story when it was artfully told by my lactation Jedi Master, Gini Baker at the conclusion of our 90+ hour lactation consultant course in 2011...she performed this heart-moving story in front of our class of 50 students who had just completed 9 months of rigorous multi-day classroom education, homework and hundreds of clinical internship hours. 

The story moved me then and has guided my career ever since.

Whenever I have a difficult day, one where I worry if I am making an impact, I look at the center of my Nurturing Circles logo and remind myself why I do what I do.

It's not to make big bucks, become the next Tik Tok star, or get thousands of "followers."

Why am I doing this? Am I making a difference in the world? In my community?

I revisit the Starfish Story and I am rejuvenated.  I hope it may do the same for you. Here is my version:

A girl was walking along a beach where hundreds of starfish had washed up during a terrible storm.

When she came to each starfish, she picked it up, and gently spun it back into the ocean. People watched her with amusement.

She had been doing this for some time when someone approached her and asked, “What are you doing?!?

Don’t you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish? You can’t possibly make a difference!”

After listening politely, the girl seemed crushed, suddenly deflated...but after a pause and a few slow, deep breaths, she bent down, picked up another starfish, and calmly tossed it back into the welcoming sea.

Then she looked up, smiling, and said..."I made a difference for that one."

Adapted from: "The Star Thrower"(or "starfish story") by Loren Eiseley (1907-1977)