Is the butterfly effect real? Can I blame every down that I face in my life on the Chaos Theory? Is this break-up a result of some silly mistakes that I committed way back in the past? Was I denied that job because I deserved something grand? I have been searching for answers to these questions for months now. Since I did not find a concrete answer that satisfies me, I decided to write one for myself.
What exactly is the ‘Butterfly Effect’?
It is a theory that explains how small events lead to a greater change in a complex system. The name derives from a metaphor that a butterfly flapping its wing in Brazil could set off a tornado in Texas. Ever since I heard about this theory, I imagined tornadoes in some parts of the world every time I saw a butterfly flapping its wings. But believe me, it was not what it is.
This theory implies that a small event like this, at the right time and place, could trigger a series of events that might ultimately lead to hurricanes or tornadoes on the other side of the world.
How does this theory apply to your life?
While there have been arguments about the practical implications of this theory, I choose to believe that the butterfly effect is real. Just like a butterfly, you are a part of a larger system in nature. What are the odds that you were chosen out of billions of sperms? What are the odds that you were born in a specific place out of all the places in the world? ‘Chance’ cannot be used to explain everything. Everything has and must have an explanation.
For instance, if you start cutting out on bottled water, your progeny will follow suit. Can you imagine the impact that it might have on the future of the world? A butterfly flapping wing is just a metaphor to explain how small things matter.
My personal experience
Want to hear an incident that happened to me to make me believe in the power of small things in making a big impact?
I was a new immigrant to Canada and was looking for a job.
My job hunting was voracious, I was applying everywhere. I got called for an interview by a real estate company. I had no idea what the real estate industry of that country was like, I just wanted to land a job.
On the day of my interview, when I went to a bus stop, I remembered that my PRESTO was out of money. I dropped out of the bus and went to a nearby drug mart to reload my card.
When I reached the mart, I realized that I had lost the card.
I booked an Uber.
The uber driver told me that I should search for jobs in Kijiji.
I went to the interview. Believe me, I learned a lot about the real estate market in Canada from that interview. I did not get that job.
When I came home that day, I searched for jobs in Kijiji and called on the first number that was advertised. Luckily, I got an interview. Later when I searched the company, I found out that it was also a real estate company. I used the knowledge from my last interview to answer the interview questions. And guess what, I got this one. And for me, everything traces back to losing a PRESTO card. It’s wild to imagine how losing a simple card will get you a job. But for me, the moment that I lost the card triggered all the events leading up to my first Job.
So, can you blame every down that you face in your life on the Chaos Theory? No, but you can blame it on something stupid that you did in the past.
The break-up that you are dealing with now is a result of a series of events that happened in the past. Maybe you forget to make your partner feel special on his/her birthday. Maybe you were too busy with yourself or with your job. If you start something positive today, you will be a part of something grand in the future.
So next time you see an old lady carrying her bags, help her cross that road; next time you feel like someone’s shirt is lovely, be vocal and give them a compliment; next time you see a young mother struggling with a stroller, open the door for her. You can control way more than you think just by being careful about your small daily actions.
Final thoughts
The butterfly effect is real. Small actions are the beginning of big changes. Billions of events happened for you to be born and to live the life you are living now. Take this chance to make positive changes in your life and in the universe.
Suggested reading: The Shiva Trilogy: How Amish never fails to amaze readers!
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