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Ever wonder if all your efforts are having an impact? Whether all your hard work and well-meaning deeds are creating a positive effect? Well, the concept posed, as portrayed in the iconic movie, ‘It’s a Wonderful Life,’ simply addresses these questions from the opposite direction. In other words, ask yourself – what would the world look like if you had never been born? If you had never existed? And the answer may surprise you. As it turns out, undoubtedly your life has touched the lives of so many others – and in so doing, you have had positive effects far beyond anything you consciously realize.
I wonder - have you heard of something called ‘The Butterfly Effect?’ It’s a term used to describe the idea that small changes can have big impacts. It was originally coined by meteorologists to describe the idea that the smallest change, even the flutter of a butterfly’s wings, can have a bigger impact on weather patterns. It’s since been utilized in everything from mathematics to social behaviors to describe instances where small actions have the ability to create substantial change. And when it comes to our communities, sometimes it’s the smallest actions that can lead to positive impact as well. It’s a fascinating concept especially in regards to how it applies to interactions between people. How do we positively impact each other with our words, our actions, or any other form of interaction? Can small changes in our behavior result in greater impacts beyond our usual sphere of influence?
It reminds me of the story of a wounded US Marine veteran by the name of John Melia. While serving in Somalia in 1992, John was involved in a helicopter crash that left him with severe spinal injuries. The road to rehabilitation was a long one for John but eventually he would go on to make a full recovery. A few years later, he was watching an interview with a young helicopter pilot who was also involved in a helicopter crash, this one in Afghanistan. The story the young pilot shared reminded John how important it was that our wounded veterans get the support they need when they return home - and not simply medical support, but community support. Much of the healing and recovery process is as mental as it is physical, so that’s when John gathered some resources from friends and family and put together backpacks with special treats for the wounded veterans at Walter Reed Hospital in Maryland. These were small tokens of appreciation and support. but they went a long way for those that received them. Little did John know, what started as a few monthly visits sharing words and goodies with veterans would eventually turn into the largest veterans’ based charity in the US, the Wounded Warrior Project. To date, the organization has worked with over 70,000 veterans, from those who have lost limbs to others struggling with PTSD.
This is just one example of how our actions, even the simplest ones, can have a big impact on the lives of others and in our communities. There are countless others. Things like the impact a teacher can have on the lives of his or her students, or a coach in the life of an athlete. Perhaps there’s been a moment in your life where you didn’t think you had that much of an impact on someone's life, only to find out later you had helped them get through a tough moment or gave them an important perspective on something they were struggling with. Generally, when we choose to act with positivity to help others it reverberates outwardly. Like the butterfly effect suggests, the choices and decisions we make can lead to incredibly significant things down the road, it’s simply how we choose to carry them out that can make all the difference.
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