Butterfly Effect and Pay It Forward

Last week I had been to the nursery to pick up some flowering plants. The nursery sales guy was explaining to me the plants which require minimal maintenance and easy to grow. And this butterfly kept diverting my attention. As soon as I saw it settle down on a plant at a distance I left the guy who was halfway through his explanations.

Tiptoeing I went behind the butterfly to capture it in my lens and I am happy to say that I did some good job this time. It is a Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes) butterfly.

Butterfly Effect

Click on this, the best taken by me so far… each and every spot on it is clear.

Butterfly Effect

As I was writing this post I was thinking the chaos these butterflies can cause by mere flapping of their wings. The Butterfly Effect as defined in Wiki states that the flapping of the wings of a Butterfly at one place can cause a devastating effect elsewhere in the world.

The butterfly effect is a phrase which encapsulates the more technical notion of
sensitive dependence on initial conditions in
chaos theory. Small variations of the initial condition of a nonlinear dynamical system may produce large variations in the long term behavior of the system.

It was Lorenz, a meteorologist who mathematically proved that minor disturbances in initial conditions of atmosphere can trigger disastrous effects elsewhere. In 1972 he presented a study entitled “Predictability: Does the Flap of a Butterfly’s Wings in Brazil Set Off a Tornado in Texas?” Amazing isn’t it and hard to believe too. Edward Norton Lorenz fluttered away from the world two weeks back on 16th April 2008. RIP Edward Norton Lorenz.

Why not apply this Butterfly Effect to our lives, not to create chaos but to create happiness. A positive Butterfly Effect, it is possible trust me. Someone begins with a good positive thought, it influences ten people. These ten people further influence ten each and the positive feeling gets propagated. Sounds familiar like the Pay It Forward Movement?

I am reminded of my boss from my employed days, having this ever cheerful mood. It used to kind of rub off on us too and the whole team environment used to be so pleasant. It is very important for the team leader to have that kind of charm. Before we speak we must give a thought what effect it will have on the other person.

The tiny positive efforts you take will definitely snowball and give the big positive impact to those around you. A thoughtless word or action from you can make or ruin the other person’s day. Not possible to be sweet everyday I know, and then those are the days I expect others to take over the role of starting a positive Butterfly Effect.

Update: The Indian Cricket team is very much in need of The Positive Butterfly Effect. Harbhajan and Sreesanth are you listening.

Also read: Where Do Butterflies Go When It Rains

Can We Save the Honey Bees to Save Our Planet?
Have you Chased a Ruby Spotted Swallowtail Butterfly?

44 Responses to “Butterfly Effect and Pay It Forward

  • Stunning image of the butterfly. I too am fascinated by the philosophy of the butterfly effect – which deepens our understanding that we are all connected. Everything is connected.

  • These beautiful natural creatures are always attractive

  • Lovely pic and informative post!

  • Hi Indrani, Nice pics followed by good explanation!!!

  • Wonderful Post.Loved the way you have given.Super example for explaining your thought.Nice click.

    Cheers,
    Sriram & Krithiga

  • That’s a wonderful thought. We all could do with some positivism. Nice click too.

  • Though the post is old, the thought remains relevant. Smile carries you a mile. Positive attitude rubs off on other people.

  • where did u shot this butterfly? It looks like Indian Common Mormon to me. (papilo polytes romulus)

  • Awesome clicks Indrani!!

  • Yogi Saraswat
    8 years ago

    Beautiful butterfly and nicely captured by you !! different post

  • Great Thoughts Indrani.. Presented here thru’ the best example.. Thanks for sharing the Post!

  • What a delightful post! I was just doing a bit of research on butterflies. I found out that one of the plants black swallowtail butterflies is attracted to is lavender. Just thought you might like to know for the next time you go to the nursery:) Have a great day!

  • BEAUTIFUL BUTTERFLY 🙂
    thank you for visiting. 🙂
    have a wonderful week!

  • BEAUTIFUL BUTTERFLY 🙂
    thank you for visiting. 🙂
    have a wonderful week!

  • Hi Indrani

    Was busy the last few days as I am traveling right now. And hence got late to this post of yours.

    Your butterfly is beautiful. And you truly have a great pic of all its detailed markings .

    And the “Butterfly Theory” is a wonderful movement . I too hope that many participate in this . We all want and wait for a BIG moment in Life letting all those little moments fritter away not realising that every little drop makes the ocean 🙂

  • Indrani, that was a nice capture of the butterfly. Detailed and beautiful.

    Thanks for your birthday wishes 🙂

  • Great catch. Butterflies can be difficult. I have chased some quite a distance with no photo to show for it.

  • Idrani: Great picture of the butterfly. I love when they allow you to get close-ups.

  • That truly is a beautiful shot of the butterfly, especially when you blow it up. Very nice job

  • truly gorgeous plants too.

  • I love butterflies – nice of him to pose for you!

  • Amazing close up. Such an infromative post too.

  • Yes, I’m familiar with the Butterfly Effect – andI do like the pictures.

  • Your pictures are beautiful and very clear ! Interesting to read about the butterflies !

  • Excellent photos. And those are really gorgeous leps. They look a little like the Spicebush Swallowtail we have in the central part of the US. Very nice.

  • These are GREAT pics! I have some Black Swallowtail photos too, but my Black Swallowtails are different than yours – so this is REALLY neat to be able to see the differences! Thank you so much for sharing this!

  • Awesome photo and great post.

  • Great shot! What a beautiful picture of a butterfly!

  • Interesting post, very good advice. Your butterfly photos are great, the detail in that second one is awesome!

  • that was so close shot. nice…

    Visit mine also Thanks

  • Wow, what an usual butterfly! good shot!

  • Thanks and yes Kalyani, I carry my DC with me.It is a small one.

    Raji not chaos but positive.

    Thanks Kat. It is a Canon A 540. And I liked your reference to bosses who create butterflies in tummies. :)))

    Thanks GMG.

  • Hi Indrani! Great post!
    Thanks for your comment on Blogtrotter, where I’m exploring a new country now. Surprise! 😉
    Hope you have a great weekend!

  • If in the ruby-spotted, you made us sit back, this black swallow tail pic has swept us off – our feet..!!! Beautiful picture.

    What camera do you use ? from the blur of the background leaves to the focus on the butterfly, can see that you’re adept in handling a camera.

    While many bosses are good at creating butterflies in tummies – you sure look at things in a positive note..!!!!! Great.

  • Dear me, Indrani! Not causing chaos, I hope.

  • Indrani, wonderful photo. Do you carry your lens everywhere?

    And from there to Lorenz and the Butterfly effect. Very interesting post.
    An you’ve wound up with a ripple effect thought too. Nice.
    Uplifting on a May morn.

  • Thanks Chris. I will keep in mind what you asked for and do the same. 🙂

    Thanks Raji. Did I tell you this: you are one person who has this strong positive Butterfly effect.

    Thanks Asha. You know there are these effects too which can be applied positively to influence us, the domino effect, the snowball effect. Persuasion and perseverance is required.

    Thanks and yes Ajeya, quite a few movies have been made based on this concept. I haven’t seen any though, but can guess the gripping story line they will have.

    Thanks Gardenia.

  • Lovely picture, Indrani, followed by fine thoughts!!

  • Lovely picture, Indrani, followed by fine thoughts!!

  • I watched a movie called “Butterfly effect”. Amazing concept it was…based on the same theory you mention. HOw one persons act can change lives of several others and how difficult it may be to set it right later.

    Nice pic.

  • Dint know where the butterfly was flying until i got to ur point..

    a nice post…. each of us can make a positive effect which can create a ripple

  • Oh, such nice pictures, and a nice post. That close up IS amazing! Looks like that butterfly has ‘corn rows’ on its wings.

    Thanks, Indrani, your happy ‘Butterfly effect’ has rubbed off on me – I feel great.

  • Wonderful shot of the Butterfly. I like your positive Butterfly effect. It seems that people could be nicer to each other.

    I enjoyed the Tree article of the previous post.

    Could I ask a favor? Next time you go to the Nursery to get some plants could you post a couple of shots of what it looks like. That would be of great interest to me.

    Chris

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