Haiku: The Butterfly Effect
“It has been said that something as small as the flutter of a butterfly’s wing can ultimately cause a typhoon halfway around the world.” Chaos Theory
Haiku: The Butterfly Effect
We flit, here and there
Change one thing, change everything…
Butterfly effect
We are connected
our flapping wings, your big mouth
Chaos stirs within…
We are all connected because everything around us is energy… we just have to get there in our heads and hearts. This week’s writing challenge spoke to my heart. It was a great exercise on reflection and it stirred something deep inside of me. We move through this world alert or oblivious to the connections we all share. At any moment, our simple actions, our kind or wicked gestures, can lead to good or evil. Which one, is hard to tell. The butterfly effect is a fascinating concept and it gave me food for thought.
“The things that really change the world, according to Chaos theory, are the tiny things. A butterfly flaps its wings in the Amazonian jungle, and subsequently a storm ravages half of Europe.” Neil Gaiman
Haiku: The Butterfly Effect
Our actions move things
Like a ripple in a pond
A slight shift, karma…
Each storm reminds us
Rainbows soothe earth’s darkest hours
One kiss heals our pain
I kept thinking about the slight shifts in the earth that lead to tremors, to earth quakes or even tsunamis. I think about how our actions and our words can lead to the dissolution of marriages and friendships, and even lead nations to war; a simple flap of our big mouth and rockets greet our day. The butterfly flits from here to there innocently spreading floral and fumes of chaos. How does this play out in your life? What triggers that ripple effect around you?
More Below!
“Each smallest act of kindness, reverberates across great distances and spans of time –affecting lives unknown to the one whose generous spirit, was the source of this good echo.” Dean Koontz
Haiku: The Butterfly Effect
We flit in darkness
One day, sweet moon fell to earth
Sunshine vacated…
We sought a rainbow
Offered sweet honey and love
A new day will dawn…
As this poem/haiku percolated in my head, I knew I wanted a brighter ending. It is my wish that our future as members of the human race is not one of abject darkness. There is enough chaos in our world and I don’t pretend to have the answers, but I believe in the beauty of the human heart and, like a rainbow on a cloudy day, we will find a way to bring light to earth’s darkest hour. What did this haiku bring to mind for you? Do you understand the butterfly effect and it’s connection to chaos theory? How are we all connected?
This post was inspired by a Daily Post Prompt:Haiku: The Butterfly Effect
For this week’s writing challenge, tell us about your own Butterfly Effect. What’s one small change that could have happened in your life, and how could that have affected everything that you know?
Forget the trope of traveling backwards in time, travel into the future and explore one decision you’ve made today that might have a huge effect on your life in 10, 20, 30 years.
The concept of everything being connected — or everything being one — can be pretty emotionally invigorating for some. Do you think everything and everyone is connected? How do you relate to that idea?
Take things to a grander scale. Imagine one small change in the history of the planet, and venture into some science fiction about how things would be different. Similarly, conjure up a few characters and, in your tale, explore how one’s activity may relate to another, and so on.
Positive Motivation Tip: Everything is connected because everything around us is energy… we just have to get there in our heads and hearts.
PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All Photos: Butterfly effect One and Two Ripple effect, from Wikipedia
Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet
Nice that you ended with the happier ripple effects of one small kindness. But I love that you compare the flutter of a butterfly to a “big mouth.” Talk about a ripple effect….. 🙂
Hahaha! I kept seeing that flapping big mouth that gets us into trouble… It was vivid and so I had to add it. 🙂
Thanks for sharing. My daughter is learning about Haiku in school.
So true – the small things are the biggest. There are so many things in my life that are the result of a small ripple.
IT is true everything is connected and now with technology we are way to connected.
I like the photos. It is true about the ripple effect from one small action or word.
So well said. It is definitely the small things that mean the most in my book.
i always appreciate your positive motivation tips! The butterfly effect is such an interesting thing.
Thank you Trisha! I find the concept fascinating too. 🙂
It really is amazing how the tiniest of things can cause big changes. Love your haiku, I have never been very good with poetry.
I remember a quote that one flap of a butterfly could change how things end up. This is somewhat through as all actions have consequences.
Really gives me something to think about. I especially like the quote by Dean Koontz.
Great haikus. I’m not as talented in that department as you are!
You are too kind… I bet you could.
This is such a powerful concept, I love the connections between nature and our actions, and back again
Thank you and I felt the same way about the assignment too… It made us did deep. TY! 🙂
Uh, wow. I have to think, what one small thing could have changed everything? OH! I know! If I hadn’t gotten engaged in high school I wouldn’t have had my first son, then I wouldn’t have gone to college to meet my now husband and have five more kids!
Simply beautiful!
‘We sought a rainbow
Offered sweet honey and love
A new day will dawn…’
My fav bit!
Thank you Sophie… I wanted a happier ending. Glad you liked it.
Those are some pretty neat photo’s. I love artwork like this!
I noticed the art as well! I love the imagery.
wow I learned something new. Thanks for sharing
And so did I. TY! 🙂
I totally agree with
We are all connected and we all effect everyone around us
We are connected but sadly, some of us refuse to accept that simple fact… Divide and Conquer still rules. Share your blog so I can visit again.
They SAY THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT IS WHAT CAUSES A TSUNAMI!
This was a nice reminder that we live in a world full of people, we are not in a vacuum and what we do iimpacts those around us.
Exactly…. We can bury our heads in the sand and feign ignorance. That’s a choice some choose to make. We are all connected like that 6 degrees of separation story.
Great piece of writing! We all need to remember that the smallest things mean the most!
Ha! I love write ups like this. It makes you think all day and keeps our eyes open for what could be the next cause and effect! Love it!
I do think there is something to Chaos Theory. What we do certainly does have an impact on the world around us, whether we realize it or not!
This is a really great post. I would say one of the biggest things for me would have to be getting the internet. If I’d never gone online, I’d have never met my awesome girlfriend of 15 years. Love that chick.
She’s a lucky lady. Thank you for adding that moment here… 🙂 BTW, love those gif figures you leave on threads.
Thank you so much for your motivational post. I never knew all of that about the butterfly effect.
Terri Beavers
Neither did I! I love the Daily Posts for this reason. They open my eyes to new ways of seeing. 🙂
This is a really insightful post. I enjoyed it a lot. You’re so right to…something like our big mouths can affect others in tremendous ways…just like a flap of a butterflies wings. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you Ryan. I always enjoy your writings too. Appreciate your insight.
I loved the photos and I love butterflies. Although they are small and short lived they impact the environment as we all do.
Wonderful analogy, Elizabeth. 🙂
Thank you sis! Glad to see you again.
I have never been skillful with haikus, but you’re quite talented!
HilLesha O’Nan
I have always been fascinated by the butterfly effect, It is so amazing to know that one word spoken, or one thing moved can cause such a whirlwind of things set into action.
Yes, I found the concept so fascinating because I didn’t expect such thinking in science… It is the concept of oneness with all.
I always say that it’s the little things in life…..
I do not think i will look at a butterfly the same again.. this was so cool to read!
This post makes you really think, that people make choices, doesn’t matter if it’s good or bad and don’t think about how it will effect themselves or the people around them. great post.
I totally believe this. The energy we put out is so important because it can totally create circumstances that either nurture or destroy us. This also reminds me of one of my favorite Dr. Seuss books “Because the Little Bug Went Kerchoo!” One little bug sneezes and the effects are widespread.
This haiku really gets you thinking. I wonder what life would have been like if I had a relationship with my father.
I try to be aware of the vibes I’m putting out in the world. As someone who has worked customer service for more than 10 years I know a stranger’s kindness (or lack thereof) can make or break your day.
Such lovely words! and the images themselves speak volumes! I loved every moment of it!
Just lovely – and I LOVE the photos!
I have to admit, Haikus are always a mystery to me. They are so simple in structure but I cannot seem to be able to construct one successfully. My kids find that very funny.
Interest post. Good to write…
I love the Dean Koontz quote. I try to always do good, even the smallest of happy you can give a person makes your day better too. It sounds hokey, I know, but I’m okay with hokey. 🙂
Wonderfully written! The little things in life are all that matter most of the time. It really makes you think!
Everything you do sets you down a certain path. It would be wonderful to go back and change some things, but you’d never know what you might miss if you’re on a different path.
Very inspiring post. Now I’m beginning to like Haiku
Great! Write some of your own. I’m sure you’ll be terrific at it.
I agree! One of my philosophies is that decisions define destiny. Even the smallest choice can take us in an unexpected direction that may affect our own lives or those around us, for better or worse.
True… It is a fascinating concept and those little steps can take to places we least expected.
The butterfly theory sounds very much like Terry Pratchett. 🙂
Really? Hahaha! That’s very interesting 🙂
I love this post! Everything really does affect us in some way, no matter how big or small.
I’m saving this for myself. Random acts of kindness have really been on my mind the last few days…time to make some ripples!
so true. sometimes we don’t know how such a little thing can make a huge difference, good and bad.
wow – interesting read. and we forget all too often about the little things!
This was a wonderful article and gives me alot to think about. It is so true when you say that what we do and say leaves a lasting impact on more than just us. Thank you for sharing
I love how you made this one – its so complicated for me but I always appreciate your words for it.
Thanks Aisha! I always appreciate your feedback.
It’s amazing how beautiful this is. Thank you so much for sharing.
The butterfly effect is fascinating..