Butterflies, Chaos Theory, and Our Personal Power

Are we powerless?

The Chaos story begins with the question of whether a butterfly flapping its wings in Argentina could cause a tornado in Texas.

The idea behind chaos theory is that everything that appears simple is probably more complex than we imagine and yet that which seems complex could be simple. Complexity and simplicity could exist in the same space.

It also affects human nature. In the big picture our body seems to function seamlessly as we move from day to day, but there are trillions of cells busy replacing themselves on an annual basis. The power of any small group of cells that start to divide in an abnormal nature (cancer) can bring down the whole system.

In society, we operate as independent butterflies within certain rules and regulations. As long as we feed into the system but stay within the boundaries of law and order the system continues to function.  Lawyers, the police and courts take care of a myriad of potential disruptions that would allow the flapping of little wings to cause tornados.

Add too much stress to a society however and the water starts to boil. If food prices get too high or if there is a shortage, the hinges can start coming off the doors. Tramp on freedoms one too many times and the Face Book connection can unite a loosely linked mass into a unified uprising.

Trampling on freedoms in Tunisia now has the U.N. launching military attacks on Libya. The fomenting tension between Sunni’s and Shiites has Saudia Arabia and Iran facing off over Bahrain. The small flapping against repressive regimes in a few countries can ignite and draw global interest into the rapidly rising temperatures of this political cauldron.

As if there was not enough tension over economic recovery, a natural disaster in Japan is a dropping a major boulder into the flow of water down an otherwise peaceful mountain stream.  The interruption of life in Japan causes a G.M. truck plant to close in Georgia.

And chaos does not involve just major issues. We still have individual issues that we face on a daily basis. I was at my favorite bar in Oceanside, the Baja Grill, when the young female co owner behind the bar said to a patron “So he Jewed you?” and then she elaborated “he didn’t give you your money back?” I was having an Irish Coffee on St Patty’s Day and when she returned my change I said “that Jewed you is a bad stereo type”.

In the 1930’s maybe a few more dissidents to stereo typing would have saved a few more lives. That which is allowed is as bad as that which is created. I would be as guilty to allow her comments to go unheeded as she was to make them.

When my daughter was six years old I said something and she responded that I had hurt her feelings. I was 40 and she was 6 but she was not powerless.

What we think, do, and say affect the Universe. I have become more pro active in influencing my environment. I have found my voice matters. I have the right and power to speak up against things that should be corrected and I am just as quick with a complement for things I like.

I try to empower those around me so that they will feel the encouragement to keep pressing. It only takes one person to believe in you to get the best from a human spirit or help someone through difficult times. Just think, one person can save another.

In a movie “Beyond Borders”, Angelina Jolie was on the way to a refugee camp with supplies. She spotted a wafer thin child about to be preyed upon by a vulture. She stopped the caravan to go out and rescued the child. She then nursed it back to health amongst thousands that were dying. You could see it in her eyes. If I could only save one child, it would have been worth it.

We are not powerless. We are powerful. But we have to exercise our voices constantly to keep those wings flapping and stop or start those tornados. .

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