Your Butterfly [Affect]

Chaos theory studies a system known as the butterfly effect, as applied in math, sciences, engineering, etc. It is a series of events that occur because of the sensitivity to the first event. For example, a butterfly flapping its wings in Argentina can affect the weather in Houston. That small event snowballs or ripples unpredictably.

Have you ever stopped to think of the power of example? Have you ever tried to keep up with the Jones’? (Who are they anyway?) Have you ever “jumped on the bandwagon?” Yup, we all have. What choice did you make that you wouldn’t have otherwise made, changing your course slightly? For the sake of an example, think of someone in a position of great influence that you really respect. If they were to do something that you thought shocking, how many people do you think would follow suit and justify in their own heart doing that same thing? It may not be openly admitted that these people’s action spawned from that, but our actions have both potential and kinetic energy that we are typically unaware of. We think that our actions only affect ourselves; however, we don’t know who is watching us at any given moment. Who do you watch? That sounds creepy, but come on…if you esteem anyone, you watch their actions and sometimes do what they have done. It is our nature. “So-and-so is a great person and they do that, so I can too and I will be fine.” Oh yeah, you were just looking for a reason to justify what you do or wanted to do. Other times when you see a good example, you say, “I really like that they do that. I am going to do that as well,” and now your life is better for it. I take pieces I like of people and I assimilate it into my life. I have developed many good traits because of the people I have known. I didn’t become me (good and bad) by myself, although in the end, the choice is mine. Most people don’t even know what influence they had on me, but I can pinpoint small changes of course and who unknowingly helped. This gleaning from others does not stop.

Some of my favorite (and I have many) chapters in the Book of Mormon are in the book of Alma from Ch. 32-40, respectively. In Ch. 37, he is speaking to his son, Helaman and in verse 6 says, “… by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise.” I don’t know about you, but it seems in my life that the small things make the most difference. It is the daily prayer and scripture study that help me feel close to the Lord. It is the first introduction that stems a life-long friendship. It is thinking to try something new that leads to a brand new hobby. It was the kind words of encouragement that gave me strength to keep training for and running a marathon.

People have the ability to inspire or deplete hope in others through their actions and words. Ultimately, our hope should lie in the Lord, for he is unchanging; however, we cannot deny the power of ours and others’ influence. We can also be sure that our choices will affect generations that follow us. Children and grandchildren look to us for our example. May we keep striving one day or hour at a time, remembering that “by small and simple things are great things brought to pass,” even by a wee butterfly. What is your affect? Contrastingly, what is your effect?