& then Who said You can’t Change the World?
October 14, 2010We’ve heard about the starfish story. If there were many starfish stranded on the beach, why would you bother to throw them back into the water since you probably can’t save all of them? Well, at least you know, to each starfish that you threw back into the water, you made a difference, and that’s enough.
Be it a sincere greeting or a genuine smile, be it a simple helping hand or a pat on the back “well done”, or be it five minutes of your time or some encouraging words… If you can make a difference, just for that instance, that moment, to someone else’s day, a stranger, or a loved one, or a friend, that’s good enough.
We often hear that one person cannot change the world. Yes, you can’t change the world. You can’t control what goes on around you. But you know what you want and can do. If you want justice, live justly; if you want equality, live equally; if you want happiness, live happily. Don’t expect it of others; live it; be it. That’s the one, perhaps only, but best, thing you can do; and then who said you can’t change the world?
“You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” — Gandhi, Mohandas.
You said it right :)) and you are doing it right !
i agree, Esp 2nd para. Being able to help, to share, to make someone’s day motivates me to move on, continue and stay in my job, despite their negative comments. Every time i use my own $ to buy food or groceries for e needy, they’d Tink im being ‘over’. Now i realised, i dun have to take their comments to heart.
have been following your blog quietly for a while now. i like the way you think. we’re quite similar. equally cheem, and sometimes maybe think too much bt these philosophical stuffs? haha. look forward to reading more of such thought-provoking stuffs
Hello Elvin, the man behind the quote should be
Mahatma Ghandi, Mohandas Ghandi?
I agree with most of his quotes, especially those on the animals. e.g :
“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated”
We’ve got people asking us when we feed and rescue the strays, how many can we save, it’s never-ending.
True, but as what Ghandi said, if we can even manage to warm the lives of just one living being, be it an animal or human, its good enough. It beats doing nothing abt it.
i dont know if i can change the world, but i can change and control my own world.. and that’s what matters to me most.. hahahaha
for my own world consist of my own impt pple and mylove ones.. =) and whoever matters..
hey… ur last paragraph’s contents reminds me of MJ’s song “Man in the Mirror” NICE! my all-time-favourite song!
yeap… love the starfish story too!
cheers,
Ivy
I love this post!!!! why no like button like facebook hehe.
“Be it a sincere greeting or a genuine smile, be it a simple helping hand or a pat on the back “well done”, or be it five minutes of your time or some encouraging words… If you can make a difference, just for that instance, that moment, to someone else’s day, a stranger, or a loved one, or a friend, that’s good enough.”
LOVE THIS PARAGRAPH! So meaningful.. :’)
Starfish story? Ahhh i’ve never heard of it. :( Tell me about it pleaseeeee? :) Ah hahahahha.
You make me smile. :)
Thank you, Elvin! You’ve just made my day. :’)
Smile alwayssss be happyyyyyyyy! <3
XXX,
Yuting.
I like your “If you want justice, live justly; if you want equality, live equally; if you want happiness, live happily. Don’t expect it of others; live it; be it.”
it made me smile. :)
A text from someone special really can brighten up the day.
Live life to the fullest.Love genuinely,Live happily.Life only once,live the life you imagined and wished…
I cant control the world but I will treasure those who loved me and whom I loved too :-)
well said! but if only if it could spread like bon fire..
A very meaningful sharing again! =)
Reading this post makes me smile and felt heartwarming.
Very agreed that just a simple smile, simple gestures, simple things will makes a person feels better and good. All cos it’s a genuine feelings and gestures. Even though it can’t solve anything it will brighten our feelings for that short moment or a day. It also add up to part of our motivation.
Stay happy and live the way you want…
Looking forward to more of your meaningful sharing! =)
It needs lots of courage to change the world. Determination also plays a part.
The will is there, and with God’s guidance,
Nothing is impossible.
I’ve never heard of the starfish story. Mind sharing? Haha! Yeah, I agree with you. I believe that whatever we do, it will definitely make a difference.
Smile always
Yvonne =)
Looks like you are on your way to self-actualization. =) keep it up, Elvin.
“To live in the world without becoming aware of the meaning of the world is like wandering about in a great library without touching the books.” –The Secret Teachings of All Ages. [Adapted from the epigraph of The Lost Symbol, Dan Brown.]
totally agree..
saw u at Paragon yesterday evening.
looks gd even in just a simple white shirt..
stay happy!
Oh man, I agreed to your second paragraph totally! That would be great if everyone is to think this way. :D
I know even thou I can’t change the whole world, and there’s only so much each of us could do to help. but whatever it is, 有钱出钱，有力出力！
And at least, we made an effort & did our best to save whatever we can! 我们尽力了! =)
lucky jas saw elvin at paragon!!
thanks for sharing and u n elves make me smile!
change is the only constant in life
maybe it’s naive optimism but i’ve always thought i could change the world. ok, maybe not change the world but make a change in the world. i still believe that right now actually.
i was told the starfish story when i was really young and i guess that’s how i always try to live my life. doing what i can and knowing that i made a difference in the world, that’s all that matters, right? (:
anyway, a really inspiring post! *thumbs up!*
A very well written post. Awesome! =)
Starfish story? Yes, agreed, one helping hand can’t save many, but if there are more helping hands, we might be able to save all. That will make a difference for the startfish as they will be able to continue to swim in the big ocean.
Agreed to the max. Just like your blog always made my day. Happy to read your blog. Even encouraging words from family members does matter a lot.
Indeed, we can’t change the world. We can only change things that happen around us, such as putting in efforts to make it happen. We will always feel great after we had succeeded in something.
Cheers!
Starfish stories are meant to motivate teachers…haha
We may not be starfish pickers but we can make a diffference in our own special way to someone who care and love. While you (EN) have made a difference in our lives, l am sure we (Elves) have likewise, touched yours. That’s the beauty of love, care and friendship?!
Check out this beautiful song -> from the fans to their beloved idol.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VqGsDl7qq4&feature=related
Personally I like the singer’s version.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2s6hZUKqbU&feature=related
Hey, I love your stories. There was this story about courage? I saw you at vivocity on tuesday if im not wrong and I just couldnt muster the courage to ask you for a picture.
Anyway, looking forward to your next show. All the best! :)
The starfish story… a nice story i have almost forgotten … nice reminder :)
Indeed a simple, yet enlightening post :)
Hi! Erm this is kind of random. I don’t know if you reply your readers. But I would like to know what brand of clothes you were always wearing for one of your channel 8 drama “No Limits”. Their design is nice and I tried to find out what brand it is but I can’t. If you don’t remember, http://blogs.todayonline.com/stargazing/2010/05/31/poolside-with-felicia-and-elvin/#comments , this is the website. scroll down to your picture heh. Thanks in advance if you ever see this and reply me =)
The song’s back !
hey elvin, busy lately? u hvnt been updating for a while now. hope to see your new posts. i love reading your blog ^^
:)
go watch this clip….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sx60ccUxd94
i hope it puts a smile on ur face too… =)
hey,i come to read your blog,all is english,it is quite hard to me to understand all you want to communicate
.so good to see you at my store,and your smile is so sweet.
Just read this for a second time, and it somehow reminded me of Schindler’s List.
Whoever saves one life, saves the world entire.
Elvin, just wondering will you miss the feeling of being ZJM after finished the filming, just like how you felt for Tarzan too? =)
Dropping by to say HELLO!
And…
When will be your next update?
Waiting for you to share with us again!
Take care! =)
All these while, I suffered from an injustice of my past. I couldn’t let go, there were many “why’s”. I stop questioning myself upon reading this sentence from your blog: ” if you want justice, live justly”. That kind of wake me into reality and im sure to stop asking ‘why’