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As the owner of SeaStar Senior Services, I'm often asked about the background of our logo and brand. Why a starfish (especially considering we are nowhere near the coast!)?

In 1990 I walked across the stage of Cal State Sacramento to receive my Bachelor's degree in Social Work. Visions of using my degree to change the world filled my dreams. I was a huge fan of Jane Addams, founder of Hull House with services for immigrants and wanted to be like her. However with a baby coming along two months after graduation, I had my hands full

In 2003 I once again walked across a stage at Cal State Sacramento to receive my Master's degree in Social Work. Now with three children who were not even in their teens, changing the world was not on my radar anymore.

By 2006 I was working with seniors. I realized with my other commitments - family, bills, a mortgage, aging parents - I was not going to change the world. But I came across this little essay by Loren Eiseley and realized that while I was not going to change the world, I could change the world for one person. So I have devoted the last two decades doing so - making a difference, one person at a time.

I hope this story can inspire you also to to make a difference, even if it's just one person at a time.

Niki

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The Starfish Story

Original Story by Loren Eiseley

One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed a boy picking something up and

gently throwing it into the ocean.

Approaching the boy, he asked, “What are you doing?”

The youth replied, “Throwing starfish back into the ocean. The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them back, they'll die.”

“Son,” the man said, “don't you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish? You can't make a difference!”

After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it back into the surf.

Then, smiling at the man, he said, “I made a difference for that one.”

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