THE EDITOR Sir:
IN REGARD TO Mr Soares' letter (All Over The World There Is Conflict-1/24/03), what we say and what we do can have far reaching effects. When we get too busy or too tired we feel irritable and out of sorts. Usually, when we are like this we leave a trail of chaos in our wake. Some of the chaos is clearly visible; on our desks, in our homes, the way we drive in traffic. Less evident, but far worse, is the chaos we can cause in our relationships.
A few years ago, there was a lot of interest in a concept called the "Butterfly Effect." Scientists tell us that the world of nature is so small and interdependent that the flap of a butterfly's wings in Brazil can set off a tornado in Texas. This butterfly effect is the basic principle underlying chaos theory. People have always known about this effect and it is often described in literature:
"For want of a nail, the shoe was lost;
For want of a shoe, the horse was lost;
For want of a horse, the rider was lost;
For want of a rider, a message was lost;
For want of a message, the battle was lost;
For want of a battle, the kingdom was lost!"
Today our world is experiencing chaos. We are caught up in talk of war, fearful of terrorism, and disheartened by corporate greed and religious scandal. I believe that what each one of us says and does can make a difference.
Can't we cause a positive Butterfly Effect? What if one of us became more prayerful? What if one of us tried harder to get along with family members or co-workers? What if one of us forgave an enemy? What if one of us really believed the Latin phrase: Amor Omnia Vincit. Could we calm a storm on the other side of the world?
I am, etc
BOB CALLAHAN
bob@bobcallahandesign.com
Stamford, Connecticut
Via Go-Jamaica
