At a recent work day at the Tepper’s Building, I had a chance to face one of my fears head on when the site supervisor for the day asked me if I wanted to learn how to use the table saw. A friend had just told me a horror story about her father nearly cutting his thumb off with exactly such a tool so I felt that funny feeling in my stomach and I’m sure my heart rate doubled—I have always stayed away from power tools. My stomach starts to turn when I hear a saw going as my mind conjures up all sorts of images of accidents just waiting to happen. But that day, something inside of me pushed me to answer, and I surprised myself by saying, “Sure!”
After a thorough introduction and safety briefing, I made the first cut. With the site supervisor standing by my side encouraging me, I went through the steps in my head to place the board accurately, check the safety guard on the saw, line the board up accurately and make sure my fingers were out of the way before turning it on. Zzzzziinnngg. I did it! I was using a power tool!
I gained confidence throughout the day and loved being able to say, “Yeah, I got that” when someone had a special request for a two by four. While I cut boards to build the temporary window plugs, I thought about how I would have missed an opportunity if I did not say “yes” to the power tools. How it would have been easier to follow that fear rather than step into an uncomfortable situation. Yet, it was the un-comfort that led to the growth–-the confidence came by going through a trial.
As I continued to use the saw, I imagined the young people who will one day gather for the Youth Leadership Institute on the 2nd floor of the Tepper’s building. I thought about the fears they may have. I felt excitement about the ways they will overcome their own fears and gain confidence as they grow into leaders. I hope that they too will be able to say “no” to the fear and “yes” to tackling the power tools in their lives.
Welcome!
Welcome to the Freedom Foundation “blog” – a place to read everyday stories from everyday people who volunteer for the Freedom Foundation. These are the stories that are the life of the events, programs and efforts of the Foundation.
Some people criticize us for the faith we have that makes us believe we can make a difference. Others ridicule the idea that change is possible. But it is stories like these that you read below and then thousands of others that remind us that making a difference in just one person’s life is worth it.
The Starfish Story
Original Story by: Loren Eisley
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.”
These are our “Starfish Stories”.
Some people criticize us for the faith we have that makes us believe we can make a difference. Others ridicule the idea that change is possible. But it is stories like these that you read below and then thousands of others that remind us that making a difference in just one person’s life is worth it.
The Starfish Story
Original Story by: Loren Eisley
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.”
These are our “Starfish Stories”.
