***Life Meaning and Fractals – Find New Ways to Thrive in Chaotic Times

The desire for life meaning resonates deep within each one of us. We want to believe that our lives have purpose. We yearn to make a small difference in the world. But life is messy and unpredictable. Often life seems to fall apart despite our best efforts. We experience a profound loss of meaning and purpose. The paradox of chaos and order exists in all life. Fractals reveal how chaos and order work together, creating beauty from simplicity. They show us how to develop new ways of living in the world. With clear meaning and purpose, we stay on course even in chaotic times. With freedom to develop, we create in amazing and complex ways. We live our passion and thrive. Step back from a problem to see the whole picture and create solutions. Findings from modern science contradict our beliefs about chaos and order. In a nonlinear system new information feeds back on itself, amplifies and grows. Small changes can produce large and unexpected results. From the repetition of a simple pattern, complex shapes emerge. If we focus only on the parts, we see chaos. When we shift our focus from parts to whole, we observe order develop over time. From chaos’ destructive energy, we let go of our past and what no longer serves us. We find opportunity for a new future. Choose clear principles to guide consistent ways of living in a chaotic world. Fractals are complex, beautiful objects that emerge over time from the repetition of a simple pattern. A few principles with no further constraints allow freedom to develop. Fractals in nature are everywhere around us. Only recently have we learned how to see them. Peering out an airplane window we observe recurring patterns in the cumulus clouds floating by. And broccoli has the same shape repeating from full head to tiny florets. From fractals we discover how a few clear principles guide simple, repeating patterns and create beauty from chaos. Write down a vision of who you want to be and what matters the most to you. Chaotic times are necessary for growth and renewal. How we respond is the key. Being clear about our purpose, intent and values gives us a steady center. Using simple, clear principles we keep our thoughts and behavior consistent with who we want to be. Writing down our life vision helps us stay on course. Over time it guides us to create in complex and unique ways. But a life vision requires commitment and space for reflection. It requires patience when we slip back into old habits. From fractals we find the value of keeping things simple, clear and consistent. Chaos and fractals offer insights for a more meaningful life. We understand the partnership between order and chaos. Too much order allows us to stagnate. Chaos, with its destructive energy, creates space for our renewal. We emerge changed and stronger in many ways. We discover life meaning and purpose that is uniquely our own. We live our passion and thrive.