The so-called “butterfly effect” is initiated in the chaos theory in which the effect is the sensitive dependence on initial conditions, where a small difference in a non-linear system can result in a large difference in a later state. The question is, can a hurricane’s formation be contingent on whether a distant butterfly had flapped its wings several weeks before? It is difficult to conceive how the small movement of the delicate wings of a butterfly can result in such a massive shift in the earth’s atmosphere, and yet we have all observed the changes that occur when a small pebble is thrown onto the placid surface of a lake, causing a ripple effect extending far from the point of initial impact. Every thought, every word, every action creates a similar ripple effect on the collective consciousness of the planet. We can never totally know the full impact that each of us has on life anymore than we can know the impact that famous butterfly in Brazil has on the earth’s atmosphere. We do realize that everything we do carries with it the power for great change. Gandhi called upon us to be the change that we want to see in the world. Let today be the day that we initiate that change and the resultant new world that we have longed for, the world that truly works for everyone!
By Catherine Carriere, RScP Emeritus