A Chinese proverb tells us that the motions of a butterfly flapping its wings can be felt on the other side of the world. Likewise a disaster in one place in the world will ultimately impact faraway lands. We sometimes like to think that the only arena in which our actions have any impact is in our own space. In truth there is a ripple effect regarding how we respond to virtually everything. Each of us is continually contributing to the whole. Each of us matters. When all of the many lives on the earth are taken together we should be able to see that we can never really isolate ourselves entirely from the challenges that others face. Even a hermit must interface with the world from time to time. What we find when we leave the confines of our homes is an interdependency with each other that we may not like, but is real. 

We hear a great deal these days about influencers who use social media to spread their thoughts or creativity or political clout. We tend to believe that only the rich and famous have the power to begin movements that either make a difference or create chaos, but it is also true that one unknown person at a time making choices is also critical in either changing the world or adhering to the status quo. 

The butterfly effect tells us that each individual will feel the impact of a deadly flood in Libya even though we may not even know where that place is on a map. An earthquake in Morocco may seem to have little to do with our own lives but we will subtly feel the resonance of that tragedy as well. Whether it be a political, religious or media response to such events we find ourselves becoming involved. We may simply feel sorrow for the poor souls or we may generously contribute to sending aid the the victims. We may begin to discuss the scientific or human cost of such events. Such discussions may find their way into our educational or political discourse. We may learn of the economic impact of a disaster through an increase in our taxes or the temporary loss of certain products produced in the devasted area. To a lesser or greater extend all of us are affected when some of us endure traumatic events. 

The same is true of good fortune. It may seems contrary to believe that happiness and peace is capable of trickling down on all of us, but think of times in our lives when it just felt really good and safe. Usually such eras were marked by a transactional upturn in good fortune for the majority of the world. On the other hand there were few people who were not emotionally moved by the events of September 11, 2001

There is almost always some person, some city, some state or country that is undergoing hard times. When the number of such places remains low we all tend to feel more comfortable with our lives. We might find that the oranges from Florida cost more because of ruined crops after a freeze there. When heat and drought are plaguing most of the world our sense of ill ease is far more noticeable. 

I suppose that my point is that it would be unwise to simply ignore events that seem to be irrelevant. As a community of humans we should all be concerned that thousands died in Libya from a damn that burst during two days of torrential rain. We have to ask ourselves how each of us is contributing to the devastating effects of climate change. Then we have to determine what steps we might take to mitigate the waste and misuse of our resources that is causing more and more such disasters. Like butterflies we have the power to one by one make a difference. 

I always hark back to a friend who once commented that if each person who attends a concert or athletic event would donate one dollar to be used to help others, we would be making an incredible difference all over the world. We could improve schools, support research, provide food and shelter, send deserving young people to college. It’s a simple idea that uses the power of the butterfly principle. We really do not need to bankrupt ourselves to begin assisting people and programs in dramatic ways. 

I once sponsored a group of incredibly thoughtful high school students who wanted to really make a difference in the world. They formed a club whose sole purpose was to find ways to raise funds that might then be sent to individuals and causes needing help. With hard work and interesting ideas they turned the school year and their meetings into continual fundraisers. In the process they were able to create two college scholarships, send supplies to Haiti after the earthquakes there, provide medical supplies for a children’s home, purchase Christmas gifts for families enduring economic hardship, create an appreciation dinner for local firefighters, sponsor a community clean up, purchase classroom books for teachers. All of this happened during a single school year and each of the students involved came from families with low incomes. Their impact was incredibly strong because they believed that individual actions mattered. Instead of crying or complaining about the unfairness that seems to stalk so many of the world’s people, they rolled up their sleeves and gave of their talents and limited means and brought hope and joy to many corners of the world. 

We are a world of beautiful butterflies, diverse in our abilities and philosophies but always the most beautiful when we flap the colors of our wings in unison for a worthy cause. Of late we seem to be more concerned with grumbling than finding ways to be a positive force. There is so much to be done that it seems quite wasteful to waste our efforts on sparring with each other. It’s time that we curb our tribal instincts that are driving us to partake in circular battles and begin healing the world around us rather than fighting over our differences. We can make the flapping of our wings a positive force or we can create chaos by unwittingly believing that nothing matters but our own concerns. It is long past time to put our power together to bring comfort and joy to all parts of the world.