This is the time of year when many people consider how to change their lives (so they can "check the box" for New Year's Resolution), yet they are so busy running around that they don't actually make improvements in their lives. They don't take the time to think how small changes in themselves can change the world.
There is a phenomenon called the "butterfly effect." When the smallest of events - the beating of a butterfly's wings - can alter the course of other events. The person who researched it most used the example of how the movement of wings several weeks prior can impact the formation of a hurricane.
That's a pretty significant impact for something so small. Juxtaposed to chaos theory of the 1890s, this 1960s revelation shows how simple systems make a huge difference.
It also lets us know that however prepared we'd like to be, we never know all of the conditions that impact an outcome - we never know what butterfly could alter our lives when it's on its normal path.
Think of the difference your smile can make as you complete those errands - perhaps you help distract an upset child as he's being toted along another person's list of things to do. What if the pennies you left in the change dish by the register meant that another person at the checkout could buy the bag of flour needed to make cookies for a sick relative?
Conversely, when something pretty amazing takes shape in front of you, don't rush to get to your next errand. You should stop and see what develops from a moment of randomness, such as this Paris train station moment. Even time seems to stand still when the broadcaster stops reading the schedule so the butterfly effect impacts everyone nearby.
http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/5679f8a9e4b014efe0d780a6
