There is a theory that came into popularity some 50 years ago when Edward Lorenz, a meteorology professor at MIT, was simulating weather patterns in a computer. He left his office for a cup of coffee and when he returned he found a result that would change the course of science.
The computer program was based on variables such as temperature and wind speed with values that could be graphed over time. When he did a repeat simulation from earlier that day he rounded off one variable ever so slightly and, to his surprise, discovered the tiny alteration drastically changed the entire pattern produced by his program over 2 months of simulations for weather patterns.
‘What has all this to do with butterflies?’ you may be asking.
Simply stated: Small changes can have large consequences. This idea became known as the “butterfly effect” after Lorenz suggested the flap of a butterfly’s wings might ultimately cause a tornado. This effect, also known as ‘sensitive dependence on initial conditions’ has a profound corollary: forecasting the future can be nearly impossible. We certainly know how fickle weather predictions can be!
Lorenz’s insight turned into the founding principle of chaos theory which expanded into fields as diverse as meteorology, geology and biology. It changed everything once thought predictable in the “clockwork universe” we believed existed.
Such a profound insightful awareness for we as humans, and yet…nature seems to be completely aware of the connectedness of the All That Is. Each living organism is existing in and of itself and yet still only a small part of the greater organism of the living Earth. This Earth only a tiny speck in the macrocosm of infinite space and time…
Why shouldn’t it make sense, then, that something so minute as the flap of a butterfly’s wings could alter any portion of existence, great or small?
What I do know is that when I am surrounded by these magnificent creatures, when I feel the air that flows around their flight and hear the faint flutter of their water color wings, my own heart soon slows, finding its rhythm there on the air with them.
No greater peace have I found than in the presence of these winged magicians.
As to the butterfly effect, I believe that everything we do, every choice we make, affects the whole of our own world and the world at large. But instead of this idea paralyzing us, we should feel grateful for the opportunity to use such a gift to bring about great and wonderful change to our own lives as well as to all of existence.
Be beautiful. Allow your heart to beat in time with the natural world. Follow the voice of your conscience-your ‘con science’. For there is nothing known to man that was not first a dream. Just be sure all your dreams work for the good of the all.
Soar,
shine
in light divine!
Be effectual!
Accept what cannot be changed
and move to change what cannot be
acceptable as it exists.
Copyright photos CKP 2017
I love your analogy. I do agree that small change can impact the future.
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Thank you Tienny!
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Dweezer, you are welcome.
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Love the variety of butterflies, and the thoughts are very poignant.
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Thank you Deborah.
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Wow. Just, wow!
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Thank you. I’m so glad you liked it. 😊
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Beautiful images and words!
We have had more butterflies this year than in a long time.
I have really enjoyed their presence.
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It is peak season for them here.
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Nice pictures
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Thank you.
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I’m late to the party, but what wonderful thoughts to start my week. This emphasizes that we can make a difference. Even small things make a difference, even if we don’t see it, we should trust that it worked.
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Hi Dan! I know how busy you’ve been. 😀 Trust is all we really have and yet it holds all things in place, doesn’t it? That you and others left me a comment has changed my outlook for today. PS Be safe out there. You never know what might happen in the dark. 😲🙈
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Will do!
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Stunning post and beautiful photographs. The fifth butterfly down looks like an exquisite piece of Tiffany!
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Thank you! I do consider them priceless treasures…
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Thanks for sharing this profound concept. I have been thinking that perhaps our own activities on earth are affecting the universe in some ways. The interconnectedness of things, the small elements that make up the whole, that we are more bacteria than we are human, and changing one bacteria in the body can destroy a person. The consciousness of the universe . . . so perhaps the events on earth aren’t limited to the earth alone.
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It is intriguing although not surprising to me at all. I have always been conscious of my actions as affecting many things, but I couldn’t tell you exactly why. Even when it comes to ground fertilization and bug extermination, I feel every movement or action causes a shift or forward motion along the thread of existence. That is why you can never give up hope that the loving things which you envision or carry out will make a true difference.
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Love those pictures! I have heard of the Butterfly Effect before. Amazing to think, isn’t it?
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Yes it is! Thank you.
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beautiful, elegant, well organized!
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Thank you! So glad you enjoyed it.
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Beautiful butterflies & words, Cheryl. 🌺 Christine
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Tha k you Christine! It was a beautiful morning.
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Reblogged this on Lost Dudeist Astrology.
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Thanks so much.
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You are welcome!
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😊
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Reblogged this on Still Another Writer's Blog.
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Thank you kindly.
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You are welcome!
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