The Butterfly Effect - How Your Choices Impact Your Tomorrow

The best way to make your dreams come true is to wake up. -Paul ValerynnIn chaos theory the term Butterfly Effect is used to demonstrate the idea that one butterfly could eventually have a far-reaching ripple effect on subsequent events: For example, the flap of a seagull’s wing in Brazil could cause a tornado in Texas.nnWhat a fascinating theory! It makes me wonder how much every one of my actions today, down to the most minuscule one, will impact my life, the lives of others, and the planet in the future?nnI read an article recently about a massive underground water source, the Ogallala Aquifer, which is disappearing fast. Scientists say that if drained, it would take 6,000 years to refill naturally. This water reservoir serves eight states from South Dakota to Texas and, according to the article, farmers were “blissfully unaware” a generation ago that the dilemma was unfolding. -Scientific AmericannnThe question is, how blissfully unaware are we about where we are heading? If one flap of a seagull’s wing can set off a tornado, how will the little argument I had with my partner shape our relationship down the road, or, what impact has what I eat today on my health in one, two or five years?nnI have heard people say: ‘We are all doing the best we can’, or, ‘Everything is perfect the way it is’ and I have to say, I don’t agree one bit! I believe we all have the opportunity to better ourselves and our lives every minute. Whether we do this or not is up to us. We decide whether or not we smoke, yell at our kids or treat our partners poorly. The life we chose to live, however, will have an impact on all of us.nnIt takes courage, education and discipline to make the very best choices every day and, in my opinion, it is what makes life worth living!nnPicture source: Joel Olivers