There is a theory that
tiny changes in one place can have ripple effects elsewhere in the world. This
idea, often associated with the ‘butterfly effect’, suggests that complex
systems can be surprisingly sensitive to small changes.
This might seem fanciful at first, but a moment’s reflection on just how complex,
unpredictable and inter-related our world is suggests that these ideas
associated with ‘chaos theory’ are not so far-fetched.
The flap of a
butterfly's wings may not trigger a tornado across the ocean. Yet the insight
behind the butterfly effect - that small actions can have consequences far
beyond what we immediately perceive - reminds us not to underestimate acts of
kindness, presence and adoration.
My interest in one particular application of the butterfly effect was triggered by a chance reading of this article – The “butterfly effect” in eucharistic adoration:
