I recently had the privilege to read two new books by New York Times Best-Selling Author Andy Andrews. I had read another one of his books “The Noticer” that I really enjoyed. I was intrigued by the titles of these new books. What message could he be trying to get across to the readers? Both of these new books are an easy read but they have a deep message - every thing you do in life matters.
“The Butterfly Effect” has the following words by Andy Andrews on the back of the book, “Every single thing you do matters. You have been created as one of a kind. You have been created in order to make a difference. You have within you the power to change the world.” The book opens with a series of questions, “How significant is my life? Do I make a difference? When I move . . . when I act . . . when I do something . . . does the universe notice? Do I really matter?” Back in 1963 a man by the name of Edward Lorenz presented the hypothesis that “a butterfly could flap its wings and set molecules of air in motion, which would move more molecules of air, in turn moving more molecules of air – eventually capable of starting a hurricane on the other side of the planet” to the New York Academy of Science. Much to the shock of the then scientific community this theory was proven to be authentic, accurate, and viable. Soon thereafter the theory was accorded to be a law – “The Law of Sensitive Dependence Upon Initial Conditions”. Andrews goes on to tell some other stories from history that further provide evidence of the butterfly effect.
The book “The Boy Who Changed the World” Andrews tells the true story of Norman Borlang who developed super seeds for corn, wheat, and rice. These seeds were sent all over the world and produced crops that has fed millions of the world’s hungry. The question is who should the credit go to? Norman? Or Henry Wallace the Vice President of the USA who commissioned Norman to do the research? Or what about George Washington Carver who took the boy Henry on many nature walks and taught him about the possibilities when using one’s imagination and science and dared to ask the question “What if”?
There seems to always be a ripple effect to one’s actions. Your actions in some way or another has an affect on others. I guess the question that is proposed by these two books is – What kind of effect does your actions have on other people? Is it good or does it hurt?
yadayadayadah
