Back to Back Issues Page
Happy Life Tip of the Week, Issue #079-Terrorist Butterflies
September 15, 2010
Hello

All your actions matter to the world so choose happy, loving, tolerant actions to spread peace and joy.

No matter how exotic human civilization becomes, no matter the developments of life and society nor the complexity of the machine/human interface, there always comes interludes of lonely power when the course of humankind, the very future of humankind, depends upon the relatively simple actions of single individuals.

Frank Herbert

The fluttering of a butterfly's wings can effect climate changes on the other side of the planet.

Paul Erlich

This past week, a threat to publically burn the Koran on the anniversary of September 11 terrorist attacks resulted in riots in Afghanistan that killed people. In this case, the threat of a non-violent, but intolerant and hate-motivated act did result in real and fatal violence. Hundreds of thousands of people took action to tone down the threat. People showed their Muslim support by reading the Koran publically to non-Muslims, the US President apologized and condemned the action publically, and yet these powerful actions were insufficient to completely extinguish the impact of one individual's hateful action.

These significant consequences of seemingly small and insignificant actions are examples of the butterfly effect- a term coined by an ecologist to show the interconnectedness of weather patterns and ecological systems. It turns out this phenomenon also applies to our global emotional ecosystem as well.

Research has not only confirmed, but quantified the positive impact that one happy person can unconsciously have on their friends and neighbors. We have frequent evidence that one inspiring act of love and kindness sparks similar acts in others. Lasting happiness is not just about feeling good, it is about doing good. I believe in happiness as a force that can change the world for good one compassionate and tolerant action at a time.

All your actions matter to the world so choose happy, loving, tolerant actions to spread peace and joy.


Looking for more inspiration? Try these powerful, short videos- free with beautiful, inspirational gift books from Simple Truths.
The Butterfly Effect
Every Monday Matters

Affirmation
I keep my thoughts positive, loving and happy. I know that everything I do matters and I choose to spread happiness and goodness to the world.

Journal or Meditation Question
Where might my actions have resulted in big changes far away? What positive action do I want to spread consistently to the world?

To Subscribe

If someone forwarded this on to you and you would like to get your own copy of the Happy Life Tip of the Week, Subscribe Here.
Back to Back Issues Page