"I Made A Difference To that One"

The Starfish Story: There is a story about a person who was walking along a beach where a storm had washed up thousands of starfish, leaving them stranded. They start picking up individual starfish and gently tossing them back into the sea. An observer questions the action, pointing out the vast number of starfish and the impossibility of saving them all. The person picks up another starfish, throws it into the waves, and says, "I made a difference to that one."

This story highlights that one person's effort, no matter how small, can change a life and create positive change. The power of ONE! Xquisite’s strength is in the ONE!

I have had the privilege of seeing lives changed one by one for many years. One thing that is intrinsic in every story is the importance of seeing the one. When a “diamond” comes to us needing to be seen, the most important thing at that moment is to listen and believe their story. Trust takes time to build and must be cherished and protected. When a “diamond” comes to us, they often are at a very low and vulnerable place and just talking about their circumstances is extremely painful. We must carefully listen without judgment and help them see their value – which is why we call our clients “diamonds” from the moment we meet.

Much like the starfish, our “diamonds” have been through horrific storms and experienced abandonment and rejection. It is our passion to carefully pick them up and gently guide them to a place where they can begin to feel safe and protected.

I have learned so much from walking with and caring for beautiful ones that need to know they are loved unconditionally. Nothing warms my heart and fuels my passion more than to see a “diamond” realize they do have worth,

and they do have a purpose. While many are still navigating extreme terror at the hands of their abusive family or trafficker, the glimpse of hope from someone who believes in them is life-changing.

Everyone cannot do everything, but every ONE can do something. We must stop walking by broken and abandoned “starfish” because it seems like there are just too many needing help. We do have the ability to help ONE and the incredible truth is that we can make a difference in every person we touch as we gently guide them to safety. We can make a difference in every person we see and believe as we champion them to realize they are not alone, they are loved, they have a purpose and potential. They must understand they are not what the terror and abuse has labeled them to be, and the psychological warfare has inflicted their every thought. We have the mandate to lift them back into the waves of protection and empower them to realize freedom. That is up to each of us, not walking by all the “diamonds” or starfish and feeling that it is too daunting and impossible but seeing ONE and making a difference for that one. The POWER of ONE is incredible and it brings positive change that may never fully be measured until the “diamond” heals and becomes someone who uses their experience to help another.

I can imagine a seashore filled with stranded starfish would be shocking and perhaps not smell the greatest, but the simple act of seeing one starfish and gently throwing it into the life-giving waves is powerful. “Diamonds” and everyday people we encounter need us to see them and that by us showing a simple act of kindness, looking beyond what they may present on the outside, we can be a part of positive change for them.

I founded Xquisite from this very passion and I invite you to join our freedom fighters. It takes everyone doing something and for us, we will get into the mess of the fight, it is our honor and passion. For you, we need your support financially to help wrap around our diamonds with every resource and support they need to get into the waves and away from the shore. You can be a donor today at https://pushpay.com/g/xquisite for your tax-deductible gift. For more information and ways to support Xquisite: https://www.xquisite.org/contact

The person picks up another starfish, throws it into the waves, and says, "I made a difference to that one." Will you be someone who won’t listen to the negative judgement from others standing as observers and stating it is impossible so don’t even try and be someone who can say “I made a difference to that one?”