One of my favorite books is Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton. (My all time favorite is also by him, Sphere, but more on that another time.) It was the first time I was introduced to Chaos Theory. While I have not studied it indepth the basic idea, that even in the most organized system there is inherent chaos, that any variable can have a significant impact on the outcome.
“Living systems are never in equilibrium. They are inherently unstable. They may seem stable, but they’re not. Everything is moving and changing. In a sense, everything is on the edge of collapse.” —Ian Malcolm, Jurassic Park
Sometimes the chaos gets to me. Without even realizing it. I try to control it. To control more than what I actually can. The ensuing chaos of my mind exhaust me and I find I am overwhelmed. I end up crying and out of commission for a day or two. Which sometimes works out to hit days off, other times not so much.
“All major changes are like death. You can’t see what is on the other side until you get there.”–Jurassic Park
Major changes are the worst. Right now I am adjusting to a new work schedule. I am also facing the time of year where there is too much dark and cold for my liking. There are minor changes too contributing to the chaos.
“And that’s how things are. A day is like a whole life. You start out doing one thing, but end up doing something else, plan to run an errand, but never get there. . . . And at the end of your life, your whole existence has the same haphazard quality, too. Your whole life has the same shape as a single day.”–Jurassic Park
So what am I do to? Giving up is always an option but why when there are so many other ways to learn to go with the chaos. Surrender to the power in order to use that power as your own. Basic Taoist understanding of the Universe. Flow is best when you stop trying.