The Butterfly Effect

The Butterfly Effect: The theory that a single occurrence, no matter how small can create a drastic change in the universe: In 1961, Edward Lorenz was using a numerical computer model to rerun a weather prediction, when, as a shortcut on a number in the sequence, he entered the decimal .506 instead of entering the full .506127. The result was a completely different weather scenario. One meteorologist remarked that if the theory were correct, "one flap of a seagull's wings could change the course of weather forever." Following suggestions from colleagues, in later speeches and papers Lorenz used the more poetic butterfly. Wikipedia.

I thought about this concept in relation to our actions and decisions, however slight or insignificant we may think they are, how much can they affect us daily, those around us, and the next generation. How much power can one action be in changing our future or the lives of those we come in contact with every day?

I heard a story about a very distraught young man who had planned take his own life because he felt like his life did not matter to anyone. That day someone smiled and spoke a kind word to him. He went home and threw away the suicide note he had already written that morning. That one act saved that young man's life, the lives of his children yet to be born, and saved his family the sorrow from losing their son. I believe many of us have unknowingly played a part in changing a life by just doing what we do everyday, and yet maybe in doing so brought a change in someone else's life.

We all have the power within us to act and react to situations that come into our lives every day. An unkind word, an an unwise decision in our finances, a purchase made in haste. We have all seen the effects divorce has in a family, upon their children and to the grandchildren. You can make a difference. Today, lives will be touched, changed, caught up in a chain of events begun by you the moment you woke up.

Your life.. And what you choose do with it today...matters forever.

The Power of Communication

 
I was angry with my friend:  I told my friend, my wrath did end.
I was angry with my foe: I told him not, my wrath did grow. 
William Blake (1757-1827)

In the simple but powerful poem "The Poison Tree" William Blake describes how anger can soon disappear by goodwill and friendship or nurtured to become a deadly poison. 

When we are angry with a friend, a family member, a co-worker, a neighbor, it is easy to dwell on the hurt and the disappointment.  It can become a seed, like the author of this poem describes that can grow into a tree which produces the poisonous fruit of death.  Death of a relationship, a friendship, a job.

Many times, just communicating with the other party, allowing that person to hear your side of the story, is all it takes to resolve a dispute.

After reaching an agreement through mediation in a custody dispute, one husband told his ex-wife, "if we would have had this opportunity to talk like this six years ago, we may have never divorced."  

I was angry with my friend:  I told my wrath, my wrath did end.

Let's get together and talk about it.

A New Decade.... A New Beginning

Under Cover....

A little over 2 years ago I was on the way to a training seminar in Fort Worth, Texas.  A friend had given me a series of CD's called Undercover and Overcoming Unfair Treatment.  I thought it would be a good way to pass the time. Little did I know, this trip would change my life and gave me a new respect for all those God has placed in my life.  My journey began one week before turning 50 years old......

I thought I understood authority.  I worked in a law office and several in my family work in some form of law enforcement.  But I found out that being submitted to God's authority has more to do with your attitude. Before I had even heard the first half of the tapes, I was under such conviction and crying, thank goodness my daughter was driving, I probably could not have seen the road. The series was about the power and protection we are promised through obedience and submission to the authority that is over each of us and the blessings that follow. Read that sentence again...yes, the blessings that follow.

The more I heard, the more I repented. Then, I came home and applied its message to every area of my life.  Just as Scrooge rejoiced when he realized he had not missed Christmas, the desire to be better and do more is beyond measure and the excitement that your life has just taken on new meaning and new hope can hardly be contained.

Before I even got home, I called my pastor and apologized to him for my lack of submission to his authority. I had been I church for 30 years, but saw some areas that I totally needed to change.  I wrote my assistant pastor and apologized for my attitude.  I apologized to my husband for not being fully submitted to him as the leader in my home. I even apologized to my attorney for being late when I returned to work, acknowledging that I should exceed my employers expectations, instead of explaining away my tardiness like I would have done in the past.  These acts of submission brought a mutual respect for our respective positions and for each other as individuals.  The weight that has been lifted has been immeasurable. I don't worry about things like I used to. I don't put my hands to things that I don't have any part of.  I have this amazing faith that God is in control if I stay under the protection He has provided for me.

I believe if I had learned these lessons earlier in my life, I would not have endured some of the hardships I brought upon myself. Because of my own revelation I received and the overwhelming desire that I wish I had heard it sooner.  I have made sharing my experience my own personal ministry. I have not passed every test since this with flying colors, I have failed miserably by some accounts.  But I get back up and set my course again.  Because I know it works.  I encourage everyone, those in leadership positions, working on a job or even stay at home moms, to read this book or buy the CDs.  You can inbox me for the information.

As the final narration in Scrooge states, "Many laughed to see this alteration in him, but he let them laugh and little heeded them.....his own heart laughed and that was quite enough for him."