Like the butterfly's wings' gentle movement, the smallest ripples can stir the wind of transformation and divine connections. -- ShadowsPub
The word “ripple” comes from the Middle English “rippel’ meaning to wrinkle or form small waves. The easiest way to view ripples is to disturb a still liquid body like water. The literal and metaphorical ripple effect surrounds us, small actions spreading into a larger context.
Ripples spreading out from the smallest of actions into larger, far-reaching effects, actions, decisions, or events represent the interconnected nature of our world and the beings within it. The effects will ripple through history from the past to our present and present to the future.
The butterfly effect is often used as an illustration of ripple effects. It’s an illustration that has its roots in chaos theory—a branch of mathematics and science dealing with complex systems and how they respond to changes. A system sensitive to the slightest changes can spread rapidly and have far-reaching impacts.
This reflection you’re reading began in my journey and desire to practice creating images with AI. Each starts with a single word and ripples outward until I write this reflection. I’ll share my work, which will continue to ripple outward as it gets shared.
Will these writings have any major effects? I have no idea. It’s not why I write them. I write to share my thoughts with my readers. If they resonate, they may be helpful. That may be helpful if you disagree and think about or even share why you disagree. And the ripples continue.
I’ve been able to share with you the beginning of how this reflection came to be written, but the root of the ripples it adds to stretches back through time. When I share my thoughts and ideas with you, they come from knowledge, thoughts and ideas stretching back to the earliest of times, even as far back as the source of the universe.
Have you ever considered how your actions in the present add to ripples that started at the beginning of time? The mental image of me coming alongside actions taken long before I existed and moving them forward through my life was crucial for grasping the interconnectedness of all things.
The mental image was also a profound reminder that I needed to be mindful of what ripples I send in time. I might not be able to control what they become, but I can at least be mindful of how they start.
As I’ve become more aware of my intuitive nature, I’ve become increasingly aware of how the slightest fluctuations can shift my awareness of the world around me and within myself. Even the smallest of shifts can lead to transformation and spiritual awareness.
Across the various wisdom traditions, I find an emphasis on the profound impact small actions can have, like the Buddhist focus on mindfulness, the Hindu emphasis on karma and dharma, the Christians strongly believe in the ability of small faith to move mountains and more.
The chaos theory explores how systems interconnect. The Sufis explore spiritual interconnections, the Law of Attraction explores the interconnections between thoughts and reality, while Buddhists see the interconnectedness of all things and phenomena.
Their subtle influences stir broader transformations as they ripple outward. The nature of the transformations will vary depending on the tradition and beliefs. They range from spiritual enlightenment and personal growth to systemic changes.
In his work “The Tipping Point,” Malcolm Gladwell explored how small changes or events can trigger significant shifts in behaviour or trends, leading to substantial changes in society.
We saw an example of this phenomenon in action at several points during the pandemic. Widespread wearing of masks would have been almost unheard of in Western society pre-pandemic. Now, it’s up to the individual to wear one as they go about their day.
Most social change starts very small and grows over time as others consider and embrace the change. Change doesn’t happen without pushback and often controversy.
When we look at our personal journey and growth, have you succeeded in change and growth without some resistance? We get set in our ways and resist change, yet when those butterfly wings quiver, the ripple is too strong to ignore.
Shadowspub writes on various subjects as she pursues her passion for learning. She also writes on other platforms and enjoys creating books you use, like journals, notebooks, colouring books, etc. Her Nicheless Narrative podcast airs on Thursdays each week.
NOTE: unless otherwise stated, all images are the author’s.
Some of the image work may have been done in Midjourney, for which I hold a licence to use the images commercially.
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