Normal Everyday Superheroes…
I’m sure many, possibly most, if not all, of my readers have heard of the Butterfly Effect Theory. For those of you who haven’t, let me provide a brief summary. The Butterfly Effect theory basically states that all things are related. It goes off of the idea that you cannot create nor destroy motion. Therefore, if a butterfly flaps its wings in Chicago, it affects the weather in St. Paul. It is one of the world’s great unprovable theories, as the proposed affect would be too indescernable to measure. So, I digress.
Anyhow, the reason I brought that up is this: if many within the scientific community believe the Butterfly Effect Theory (which would grant it some merit, I suppose), then why can we not apply this to other aspects of life?
I would like to propose a test of theory. Somewhat along the lines of a “Pay It Forward” concept. I’m proposing we set into motion the actions of a population of normal, everyday, superheroes. The difference between my theory and that of paying it forward is this: nothing is asked of the recipient- not even to pay it forward.
The basic question is that if energy can neither be created nor destroyed, then can we apply the same principal to good will and RAK (random acts of kindness)? My belief is “yes”. I believe that it is within all of human kind to provide and protect others. I am asking the world to step out of it’s comfort zone and nurture one another FOR NO APPARANT REASON other than to just do it.
Some ideas to get you started:
Next time you fly and someone asks to trade your aisle seat for their middle one- do it.
Slow down to let that person on the entrance ramp merge during the traffic jam.
Pay for the person behind you in the drive through.
Leave a ginormous tip at the coffee shop or your lunch stop whether your service was mediocre or not.
Take a $20 and hit the grocery store. Stock up on canned and boxed goods that look appealing TO YOU. Take these items to the local food shelf.
Next time you are somewhere and the clerk asks if you would like to donate to a cause SAY YES! (Trust me, they don’t do it to be annoying. They hate asking because they get yelled at so much).
Hold the door for someone.
Offer to help someone carry their bags (please don’t be a weirdo about this one).
Don’t stay silent when you see someone doing something illegal. You’d be surprised how many people see theft, domestic violence, etc and keep silent.
Volunteer with your local Habitat For Humanity
Donate blood.
Someone at your work or church suffering the effects of the economy? Place an envelop in their mailbox with a gift card to the local grocery, a restaurant, or gas station.
Sit and talk to that elderly gentleman you see sitting at the coffee shop everyday by himself. Odds are he has a fascinating life story to tell. And he’s probably lonely.
These are all just ideas. Give them a try. Feel free to post some of your own. The only guidelines are: it must be a RAK, you cannot ask the recipient to pay it forward, you must not expect a thank you or anything in return, and keep your eyes peeled to see if this has any effect in your community. Good luck. I will leave you with this music video by Rascal Flatts that really was the catalyst for me in proposing this challenge.
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