Everything You Do, and Don't Do, Really Does Matter

Meteorologist Edward Lorenz launched the idea of "The Butterfly Effect" in a 1963 paper for the New York Academy of Sciences. By 1972 he had examined and refined the idea for his talk, "Predictability: Does the flap of a butterfly's wings in Brazil set off a tornado in Texas?" Simplified, "The Butterfly Effect" points out that in a chaotic system like global weather, tiny events within the system can sometimes lead to major changes in the overall system.

Theoretically, a butterfly flapping its wings could put molecules of air into motion, and those molecules would, in turn, put more molecules of air into motion, and those molecules of air would put other molecules of air into motion, and on and on and on. In most cases the flapping wings of a butterfly would make no difference whatsoever, but occasionally, very occasionally, when things could go one way or another, the flap of the butterfly's wings could be just enough to tilt the odds and influence the future, and things could turn out vastly different. So, in essence, I agree, in extreme circumstances, the flap of a butterfly's wings in Brazil could create a hurricane in Florida. (Having lost my home to a hurricane in 2004, I'd like to get my hands on that darn butterfly.)

Many people believe that although "The Butterfly Effect" originated as a meteorologist's observation of weather patterns, the principle applies to human society. Tiny changes in the state of mind or actions of one person can, on occasion, create major changes in society as a whole.

Taken to the next step, we could say that we're all interconnected. Small changes in my mood or simple changes in my actions, words, or even just my facial expressions, could have a profound impact on everyone around me; even on people who don't come in direct contact with me. The things I do put molecules into motion that may impact you. And then, you do something that puts molecules into motion, and that impacts the next person, who in turn does something that influences the next person. It goes on and on and on.

Every day, in every profession, in every job, in every role we play, we put molecules into motion. At the close of each day do we take the time to contemplate our actions, and ask ourselves, "What kind of molecules did I sling around today?" Do we start each morning, each shift, each trip, each project, each meeting, each interaction with another person with a goal to sling high-caliber, kind, compassionate, positive molecules? Or, more likely, do we just go through the motions, slinging some pretty sloppy molecules around?

If you really want to be awed and inspired by the power of the butterfly effect pick up a copy of "The Butterfly Effect: How Your Life Matters" by Andy Andrews (Simple Truths, 2009). This delightful little book will help you quickly realize that every move you make, every action you take, everything you do matters because the universe notices. Today, more than ever, we must heed the advice of Andy's book, "There are generations yet unborn whose very lives will be shifted and shaped by the moves you make and the actions you take today. And tomorrow. And the next day. And the next."