Chaos and Caring
The Chaos Theory says, in essence, that a butterfly fluttering its wings in China can create a hurricane in the Gulf. It seems a stretch to me, but I'm no scientist.
I have, however, revisited my beliefs in recent weeks. I've learned that an incident, no matter how insignificant or natural at the time, can be traced to any number of events that follow. Or vice versa. Whatever.
I went to a dance when I was sixteen with an acquaintance. We weren't close. We went together because no one else would go. While there I met up with a cousin who had moved away some years before and (I didn't know) had only recently returned. A week or two later, this cousin told me he'd set me up with a blind date if I found one for him. He did, I did, and I met my husband-to-be that night. A couple of weeks later I set him up with another friend and they married and had kids. A cousin of Hubby's was matched with my friend, and they married and had kids. And their kids had kids, and on and on. All because of one little butterfly.
I'm learning to take nothing for granted anymore.
Mom passed away three years ago today. She was ill with assorted ailments for a long time; her death was not unexpected (unlike my Dad's, some years ago, who left this world in a minute). Her death (like my too-close experience) changed me. That one event made me seek out old friends, alter my way of dress and start writing again. I went back to church. It made me more aware of people around me.
When I look back, I see a different person, cold and detached from those I had once cared about. I see now that I didn't care about much of anything--not even me. (Ah, those days of ponytails and polyester...was that just a nightmare?) I approached acquaintances on Facebook....a small and singularly unimpressive move...and they responded. I called others, emailed more. Baby steps.
Like the world affected by the butterfly, my world responded. With that inch, my confidence grew a mile. (Pardon the mixed metaphors; I know you understand even if I am not grammatically perfect!)
My point today is that we should take time to notice everything. Take time to pursue friendships. Give people a chance, a second chance, a third. One little incident can change everything, for chaos or for caring.
If you never try, how will you know?
I'm learning to take nothing for granted anymore.
Mom passed away three years ago today. She was ill with assorted ailments for a long time; her death was not unexpected (unlike my Dad's, some years ago, who left this world in a minute). Her death (like my too-close experience) changed me. That one event made me seek out old friends, alter my way of dress and start writing again. I went back to church. It made me more aware of people around me.
When I look back, I see a different person, cold and detached from those I had once cared about. I see now that I didn't care about much of anything--not even me. (Ah, those days of ponytails and polyester...was that just a nightmare?) I approached acquaintances on Facebook....a small and singularly unimpressive move...and they responded. I called others, emailed more. Baby steps.
Like the world affected by the butterfly, my world responded. With that inch, my confidence grew a mile. (Pardon the mixed metaphors; I know you understand even if I am not grammatically perfect!)
My point today is that we should take time to notice everything. Take time to pursue friendships. Give people a chance, a second chance, a third. One little incident can change everything, for chaos or for caring.
If you never try, how will you know?
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