The Butterfly Effect

Everyone has done something in the past that they wish they could change (believe me I have a long list of my own). However, I’m one of those people who believes that everything happens for a reason, and if I changed anything, I wouldn’t be sitting here right now. In other words, I believe in the butterfly effect. It just makes so much sense (not to mention it brings scary consequences). But I can’t help but think about what would happen if the things on my list didn’t happen, about what I would do if I got the chance to go back and fix everything. Would things change for the worse or the better? 

Hi again! This week is all about possibilities, but also about second chances. In the fifteen years of my time on this planet, I’ve done some... interesting things. Some are positive, while others are a little questionable. But after making all those decisions, I ended up here; going to a great school with even better friends and teachers and doing what I love... writing! However, It’s hard not to think of how different things could have been. So, I'm thinking of putting those thoughts to rest.  

We all have that one time when things take a turn, whether in a good or bad way. My turning point was when I moved. I didn’t even move that far away! But when you’re a sensitive eleven-year-old with no liking for change, it’s the worst. What would’ve happened if I didn’t move, though? How would things be right now? 

For one thing, when I moved, everyone was under lockdown due to COVID-19, and my family was big on the “you’re safer inside our four walls” policy. So, I spent most of my middle school time on the other side of a screen. That didn’t stop my friends and I from spending time together! 

We would call and text through email and other places after school and sometimes during breaks! We would “collaborate” on projects and assignments (without our teachers knowing, of course). Overall, it was almost like regular school... until I moved. 

When my family moved away from my old apartment, I had to leave my friends and school too. Usually, I’m the type of person who hides behind a corridor, listening in on conversations rather than going up and introducing myself. So, you can imagine how my first day at a new middle school went. Not great. But if I didn’t move away, I would still be with the people I've known since kindergarten! I wouldn’t have had any need to start over or introduce myself repeatedly for days until people could say my name correctly. Things just would’ve been... easier! 

But of course, I’m forgetting what wouldn’t have happened though. Before I moved, I loathed the violin and music in general. I just didn’t find the appeal in it! Every time I would walk into my violin class, it would always be with a huge frown on my face. But after I moved, I met people who completely changed my perspective on music! My music teacher and my friends showed me how beautiful music is and how lucky I’ve been to be learning the violin for so long. 

It’s not just music, though. I fell in love with writing after I moved too! It’s mostly because of one teacher: my seventh-grade ELA teacher. She pushed me out of my comfort zone, supported me through my highs and lows, and showed me the joy of writing down feelings and emotions in ways that others can relate to. In a way, if it weren't for her, I don't think I would've even considered starting a blog! 

If I didn't move at all, I doubt I would've gotten the same perspectives. Even now, everyone I was once close to before don't see music as an expressive artform. Instead, they just think it's just creative and catchy tunes to listen to when they're bored. Whenever I try to explain them, they either change the subject or call me a nerd (which isn’t a bad thing because it’s true). It’s the same thing with writing too. My old friends can’t relate to it. Whenever they try to write a narrative or something, they always end up calling me to check over their grammar (that’s why you have Grammarly by the way). 

Maybe I would’ve developed different interests if I stayed back; maybe I still would’ve loved to write. But the people I’m close to now would’ve never come into my life. The experiences that I’ve had wouldn’t have happened, and that’s the case for anything!  

Mistakes happen, and the results can be burdening. There are days when you wish you could just go back. If you ask me now, I'll say one thing: every mistake, incident, and riveting adventure happened for a reason. So, note to self: if I do end up time traveling one day... DO NOT STEP ON ANY BUTTERFLIES! 

What Do You Think? 

Now that’s a life lesson. Stepping on butterflies should be a crime! Anyway, it’s just as important to think about the significance of yesterday as it is to worry about tomorrow. So, here are a few questions to get you thinking! 

• What’s one thing that you would do if you had a chance to go back in time? NO STEPPING ON BUTTERFLIES! 

• If there’s one place in all of time and space that you could go to, where would it be? 

• What’s your favorite “what if” question?