Elizabeth Lombino

Let’s be real, there is a ton of negativity in the world today. Almost all facets of our lives can be challenging and demanding. From work to family to finances…. it can be overwhelming and exhausting.

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It can be difficult to push through the clouds and allow some sunlight to shine through. Yet this is what we must do. We need to push through and search for every glimmer of hope. If you look closely for something positive among the negativity, you will find it. Hold onto the hope and small successes.

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It may sound cliche, but having a positive attitude can truly make a difference in how we feel about the world around us. The details may stay the same, yet we feel more in control and at peace. We can have more energy and desire to continue to push through and live an even better life.

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The following is one of my favorite inspirational stories. At times when I feel helpless or I’m struggling to find the positive, I remember this story. It helps me stop thinking about what I’m not doing and refocus on what I am doing. This simple shift helps me keep going.

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Once upon a time, there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.

One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought of someone who would dance to the day, and so, he walked faster to catch up.

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

He came closer still and called out “Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?”

The young man 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 man.

To this, the young man replied, “The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them in, they’ll die.”

Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, “But, young man, do you not realize 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 man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said, “It made a difference for that one.”

Photo Credit: Jaro Nemčok