A Maleny resident for 16 years, a mother of one and a vibrant lady, Arcadia Love has had a varied career. When a recent venture ended abruptly earlier this year she found herself at the crossroads contemplating whether she should find another job, something to tie her over, or turn her passion into work? Thankfully she had the courage to choose the latter and the M.A.D (make a difference) Project went from a thought to reality. You may ask what inspired this madness? Well let me tell you a story……

“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 realise 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.”

This is the simple but effective philosophy behind M.A.D. After hearing this tale, Arcadia had an ‘ah ha’ moment. Previously she had been pondering how to make a real difference in other people’s lives rather than what she felt were token gestures. How could anyone, in a world of overwhelming despair, even start to make a dent? The answer - one person at a time.

Arcadia’s website, once fully developed will give you the inspiration, information and action plan to enable you to be one of those people. By promoting not-for-profit and non-government organisations and charities that are already making a difference and connecting them with people who want to make difference, she is forming a circle of social enterprise and responsibility. Everyone can do something and it can be as simple as having lunch with girlfriends and popping the $5.00 coffee money into a kitty instead. We often make excuses but with the ideas and help of The M.A.D Project, we can begin to make a difference right now. And Arcadia insists that it be fun. You can’t go M.A.D without a little bit of craziness and frivolity.

This is reflected in some of the events organised by Arcadia. You could attend her networking breakfasts in Maleny to connect with like minded women who are making a difference in their own lives and in the lives of others. How about a M.A.D. Movie Night or for something more in-depth there are intimate talks by inspirational speakers. To top it off you could always join her Hug Patrol (intrigued aren’t you, check out the latest M.A.D. newsletter online.) Arcadia’s newest project is the MADventure to Vanuatu. A holiday with a difference, she and a friend are taking a group of women there on a giving mission later this year to donate books and medical supplies, provide income to the local people and to grant the space for these women to give to themselves and each other.

Arcadia is one woman doing wonderful things passionately. There is no limit to how she will see her vision unfold – a global M.A.D movement even. She sees herself as the messenger but I see her as the pebble in a pond creating ripples that I hope will ultimately release a tidal wave of M.A.D.ness. It would be wonderful if it really was a M.A.D, M.A.D world!