Israel-Palestine war counting thousands of innocent souls dead. Russia wrecking a good part of Ukraine, rendering most of its citizens homeless thereby. North Korea ‘noise bombing’ the citizens of South Korea at the border, turning their nights into sleepless nightmares. Donald Trump’s tariff threats sending shivers down the spine of not just other nations but the US’s own citizens. Frequent catastrophic weather conditions portending a nature-apocalypse.
Gloom!
Now, am I not totally justified in getting black-holed by the doom-scrolling phenomenon? How can I be victimized for sponging up the negativity that’s floating around me 24/7? How can I not feel anxious about the going-ons across the world?
I find no satisfactory answers to any of these questions, alright. But, I do find these counter questions equally disconcerting.
Can I, in any way, change the course of these incidents? No! Are they, by any stretch of imagination, under my control? No! Then, why am I worried?
But, wouldn’t my not being worried make me insouciant, completely disconnected from the reality?
Intriguing reflections these!
But, face them, they enlighten me in strange ways. The rather unconnected and sudden recall of the butterfly effect comes from nowhere and hits me hard like a bolt from the blue. It reminds me of the chaos theory that says how interconnected things can be… like how a butterfly flapping its wings can cause a hurricane.
Even while I’m wondering how in the hell is the chaos theory connected to the doom-scrolling, another enlightenment lands a slap on my face.
THE ANSWER LIES IN ME.
That is, can I bask in the beauty of the sunset? Can I relish that sip of hot coffee? Can I smile at that stranger on the train and find something within me melt at the smile that blooms in response to mine? Can I feel the dopamine secrete out of the rhythm coming off my headphones? Can I enjoy the fall of raindrops on the windscreen while waiting at the red signal?
Happiness lies within me. Not out there. As for the happenings around the world, the sheer awareness of the stark reality elevates me into an evolved being. When I am happy and when I evolve, I might inadvertently trigger the butterfly effect that could even change the world.
Saint Maverick
SAINT MAVERICK 