Hello everyone!
I love butterflies and wrote this article on them., I hope you enjoy it and remember above all in these hard times to be kind! Stay well and safe!
Jane’s Reflection Eight
The Butterfly Effect
Back in 2009 a wonderful book was published called The Butterfly Effect by Andy Andrews. The message was one of the most profound ones I have ever read. Several years ago, I wrote an article about the butterfly effect for a cancer magazine.
In 1963, a scientist by the name of Edward Lorenz presented a hypothesis to the New York Academy of Science. He was ridiculed for 30 years until his idea was proven scientifically accurate!
His premise was that when a single butterfly flaps its wings and moves molecules of air, then more molecules of air move continuously, until a hurricane can develop on the other side of the planet. Andrews cites several examples of one “little” event that changed world history. You can tell I love this book and yes – you can borrow it from me!
I realize some people would find this laughable, until the year 2020. I kept saying I never would have dreamed a little bat on the other side of the world would have caused a global pandemic, with the devastation of thousands of deaths, millions of people becoming ill, and economically bringing the world to its knees.
I want to take this one step further. What happens when each of us says one positive word or does one helpful deed? Last week I wrote about all the wonderful services our congregation does. And that kind act is like a set of dominoes. If a harried clerk at the grocery store is thanked for his or her service during this terrible time, if front line workers are given food, if we send encouraging cards, texts, phone calls or e-mails; it makes a bigger difference than we think. That worker may feel good instead of going home and snapping at a family member because he or she is feeling awful and unappreciated. The entire family ends up being nicer to their loved ones, pets, and others so that the goodness spreads like the butterfly wings.
Andrews reminds us “Every single thing you do matters…you have within you the power to change the world…your life and what you do with it today…matters forever.
The Bible has many references about kind words being spoken to each other. My favorite is “Pleasant words [are as] a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and health to the bones.” (Proverbs 16:24 (KJV)
Remember the butterfly effect does make a difference and be kind!