When we consider the great forces at play in the world, the flutter of a butterfly’s wings doesn’t seem to have much power. Yet a Chinese proverb states that the power of a butterfly’s wings can be felt around the world. Modern science reveals that this proverb may be literally true. The metaphor of butterfly power changes how we view our personal power and influence in the world. It renews our inner power and life purpose.
Small influences can have powerful effects in a chaotic system.
Chaos theory came about through the work of Edward Lorenz, a meteorologist who was testing a simple model of weather prediction. He found that a small error in his calculations quickly magnified by feedback loops into a large difference in the results. He pondered his discovery, echoing the Chinese proverb “Does the flap of a butterfly’s wings in Brazil set off a tornado in Texas?” Weather is a nonlinear, chaotic system. Everything is connected to everything else. Butterfly power means that every element in the system impacts the direction of every other element. Small influences can have powerful effects.
Small acts can have significance beyond our knowing.
We live in a complex, interconnected, chaotic world. We are part of a whole. Our words and acts have a ripple effect throughout this whole. We exert a subtle influence just by the way we are. Butterfly power is unpredictable. It requires a basic humility. We can never be sure what effect our individual contributions will have. We may never know their significance. One person or a small group can influence the entire world. Chaos and butterfly power provide for the impossible. Anything can happen at any time.
Science and nature offer us an inspiring vision of ourselves.
We live in a world obsessed with power: the power of money, the power of personality, political power. We may feel that vast, impersonal corporations and societal forces are shaping our destiny. Chaos shows us that we are not powerless victims. We all possess the subtle influence of butterfly power. The tiny acorn contains all that is necessary for the growth of a mighty oak tree. Nature reminds us that we have all we need to accomplish our life purpose.
From Chaos we know that a small influence can transform an entire system. Butterfly power reminds us. Our small acts can have powerful effects. We recognize our personal power and influence in the world. Nature’s image of the acorn and the oak tree empowers us. We gain the courage to become who we truly are. We are powerful beings with a life purpose. Whatever works we do to use our talents, we play a role in creating the world’s growth and harmony. We can make a difference.
Summary
A Chinese proverb states that the power of a butterfly’s wings can be felt around the world. Modern science reveals that this proverb may be literally true. The metaphor of butterfly power changes how we view our personal power and influence in the world. It shows us that our small acts can have powerful effects. It renews our inner power and life purpose. It restores our belief that we can make a difference.
Mary Beth Ford, Ed. D., is the author of Wisdom from the Gardens: Life Lessons and creator of Garden Wisdom Teleseminars. She specializes in the area of life balance, which she describes as balance between outer world and inner self. Through her work Dr. Ford shares five powerful garden lessons for living with balance and joy. Using nature images she gives us an inspiring vision of ourselves and our world. She offers products online at The Garden Wisdom Store. To learn more, visit her website at http://www.wisdomfromthegardens.com and receive a free summary of five garden lessons for life balance and joy.
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