Brett Sheffield (he/him)

Heard the story of the girl throwing starfish into the ocean? A man watching her says "don't you know there are miles of beach and you can't make a difference?"

The girl bends down and scoops up another starfish and gently throws it into the ocean, turns to the man and says "it made a difference to that one".

I often think of this story when world events make me feel powerless. I can't help everyone, but I can help *someone*.

So... if anyone needs me to throw them into the sea, I'm here.

Aug 14, 2022 at 2:01amWeb
Show thread【Ξｎｉｇｍａｔｉｃｏ】 🐱Aug 14, 2022
@dentangle Please dont. I cant swim!
Show threadPhilAug 14, 2022
@dentangle
I think it is an old story from Portugal. I very much like it!
Show threadan exclamation of mild dismayAug 14, 2022
LB: I've been thinking about that story a lot lately as I've been raising monarch butterflies. It feels like such a small action in a world that needs so much help but it does make a difference and it's something I actually have the time and energy to do.
Show threadVagrant CascadianAug 14, 2022

@dentangle

Well, I like oceans, and I like being thrown, so you present an enticing offer!

Show threadJudyAug 14, 2022
@dentangle Thanks for sharing this. I needed to hear this today...
Do you mind if I add that to my (somewhat public) collection of quotes?
Show threadStereoIncognitoNov 7, 2022

@dentangle she flings seashells from the seashore.

Seriously though what a lovely parable.

Show threadBellwetherFarmNov 7, 2022
@dentangle heartwarming
Show threadPhogna BolognaAug 18, 2023

@dentangle I feel like Schwarzenegger needs to deliver this before chucking a Villainaire out of a helicopter into the ocean.

Did I just coin #Villainaire?

Show threadRevK Aug 18, 2023
@dentangle can we nominate other people for you to throw in to the sea?
Show threadPJ "Vote Green" CoffeyAug 18, 2023

@revk @dentangle

Ooh... so like are you using a catapult or is this more of a trebuchet situation?

Show threadTsutsuku (he/they)Aug 18, 2023
@dentangle
Show threadMx VerdaNov 6, 2024

@Tsutsuku @dentangle

🤔 either rule 34, Amigara Fault, or something less disgusting than MiA.

Show threadExindivAug 18, 2023
@dentangle
Can we volunteer some folks?
I can make a list.
Show threadSmudgiesMomAug 18, 2023
@dentangle yes please. I need a day at at sea.
Show threadRobin Frost Has MovedAug 19, 2023
@dentangle Awww this is lovely.
Show threadPaul BrownjohnOct 16, 2023

@dentangle

What to drown in raw sewage - I'd rather you didn't!

Show threadgwsOct 17, 2023
@dentangle I can think of some people I'd like thrown in the sea but that's not what you meant...
Show threadSue is Writing Solarpunk 🌞🌱Oct 17, 2023
@dentangle I use that analogy all the time. If we're each the girl (and take care not to be the man), we can collectively do great things (and individually too).
Show threadcognitively accessible mathFeb 25
@susankayequinn @dentangle (but we should also go upstream and figure out what is going on.)
Show threadSarah DurrantJan 12, 2024
@dentangle I used a version of this as a prelude to a eulogy I gave to a very dear friend some years ago. He was such a gentle man, one who made a big difference to so many aspects of our lives through, what a random observer might think were, very small actions.
Show threadGrandpa DonJan 13, 2024

@dentangle

Make someone's day. It will make yours.

Show threadThatManJun 11, 2024
@dentangle That…took a turn
Show threadThe Evil Chocolate CookieNov 6, 2024
@dentangle can you boost my post explaining the situation and how I need to get my family out and get us emergency visas? I’ve got to get money for that somewhere and even before the hate storm came down, nobody wanted to hire the blind kid.
Show threadMx VerdaNov 6, 2024
@dentangle ooh! Sheffield has a mask bloc! And an escape room near a cat cafe! They don’t really do food tho, so don’t go there expecting breakfast. Srsly tho the escape room was awesome
Show threadEndicottRoad59Feb 25
@dentangle Every act of kindness makes a difference no matter how small that act might be.
Show threadDarwin WoodkaFeb 25

@dentangle

I think of the orcas sinking yachts when i hear this story now