‘Long term effect’
‘Long term investment’
‘Long term goals’
We’re definitely familiar with these phrases. They are everywhere around us, and every loved one around us would remind us of this.
‘Think long term’
Let’s introduce a very interesting concept here, called the ‘Butterfly effect’
What is the butterfly effect?
It states: A very simple and small change in the universe, such as a change in the flapping pattern of a butterfly’s wings, can cause gigantic changes in wind pressure & pattern, leading to storms & cyclones.
Now, this does not mean that the butterfly directly provides energy for the tornado, but it simply means that the flapping of the butterfly’s wings represents small turbulence in the atmosphere which causes a chain of events (or a domino effect) leading to a much bigger change of events thousands of miles away.
There is this story whereby a man saw his wife lifting up a stone in his garden and pulling out a snail. She was about to smash it to smithereens when he hurriedly rushed to her and stopped her from doing it. He then gave her a lecture on how killing the snail can affect the food source in the garden food chain, which would ultimately cause a large impact on the interconnecting food web in the whole ecosystem.
What does this butterfly effect have to do with us?
Everything, actually. Just like the butterfly being part of the larger system in nature, we humans are also part of the larger systems in this universe, where various parts interact and affect one another. So, whatever we do, no matter how small or big, can have a deep impact on our and on others’ lives.
Attitude
One way of looking at this is “attitude”. Our attitude, good or bad, can affect other people. To be successful one must develop a successful attitude, regardless of the environment. Our positivity can affect our work and our relationship with other people. One bad move from us, no matter how small it is, can affect the system in which we are in. Likewise, one good move from us, no matter how small it is, can cause a lot of changes in our surroundings.
Small Things Matter
The butterfly effect can work both ways, negatively or positively. The two pertinent things that the butterfly effect teaches us is that small thing’s matter, and we are all connected to a bigger system. Our action now, today, would have been the result of the previous action and this could, in turn, lead to future action. With one small gesture, we can change somebody’s life. Remembering this would make us more aware that whatever we do, no matter how trivial we think it is, would lead to a ripple effect. Don’t ever underestimate the power of small acts. Do small things each day. A little progress each day will soon add up to big results.
Be Persistent and Consistent
Tackle that mountainous task bit by bit and soon it will be over. Be consistent and persistent, no matter how problematic it is or how tiresome. A mountain isn’t created or destroyed in one day. It takes years, millions of years for such things to happen.
Because life is so unpredictable, we can never know what will happen to us in the future, but if we can do just one good deed, just one small act, we can hope that the good deed can produce an optimistic future. A small gesture of kindness, a smiling face, a helping hand, could all make a difference in somebody’s life, or our lives for that matter. All these simple examples are a part of a bigger picture and if we can just focus and pay more attention to these little details, we may be able to make our lives and others’ lives so much better.
Reach out to a counsellor who can guide you to a more positive outlook towards life and a better version of yourself.