Where Will California Be in Ten Years?

I’m sure you’ve heard of the Butterfly Effect in which one small action cascades into a series of other reactions each larger than the last. It seems that California’s inhabitants are becoming victims of this phenomenon. How many of us push the limit when driving through the “orange” traffic light? Have you ever sped up on the freeway to prevent someone from merging in front of you just for the sake of competitiveness? How many times do your eyes drift away when they meet those of a fellow Californian out of avoidance or even a fear of confrontation?

These are all small actions that lead to further compromises of courtesy and comradery. If you’ve been a Californian over the past decade, I’m sure you’ve noticed the change in attitude seep into the collective California consciousness. I’m as guilty of these actions as anyone else.

Of course, there are exceptions. Over the last two years almost every morning I drive past an old man sitting at the bus stop. He’s perhaps 65 years old or so. He could be someone’s grandpa, someone’s husband, or perhaps he’s alone in the world. I certainly don’t know his name. Yet every time I see him he reaches out to me with a big smile and a wave. This simple action sets the tone of my day, something I pass on by smiling at my coworkers or perhaps being more thoughtful to fellow drivers.

The Butterfly Effect deals in chaos theory, something that usually has a negative connotation; why not employ the effect with positive action? If little compromises can lead to inconsideration, why not apply a small dose of thoughtfulness to each day and see what happens. It only takes a few people to affect so many. Let’s say only five percent of Californians begin to do this, imagine where we’ll be in ten years. A new attitude will permeate our culture.

Each morning you’ll wake up, get your coffee and turn on the news. The newscasters will report on local and world events, but the local news will include acts of kindness and social involvement as well. Someone wasn’t afraid to step in with a guiding hand and gentle word when a neighbor’s child was acting irresponsibly, therefore gang activity is down. Parents and teachers have respected each others’ opinions and have worked together to raise good citizens, therefore scholastic achievement is on the rise. Soldiers from the previous Iraqi war were welcomed home not just by their families but by the greater community and government, despite the war’s outcome, so that homelessness and mental illness is reduced.

You kiss your spouse goodbye and head out to the driveway. George from a few doors down is already waiting with two cups of coffee. Although a few folks in the neighborhood remain aloof, most of you are friendly after the “know your neighbor” block picnic from a few years back. It turns out George practices dentistry within a mile of your workplace.

The traffic is slow in spots due to freeway construction, especially in one area where three lanes merge together. As you approach this area, cars begin to slow down and create space between each other so that the merge is smooth and seamless. You feel a sense of patient urgency as everyone strives to arrive at work on time. Only a few drivers seem to be restless as they talk on their headsets and throw angry looks around. You make eye contact with another driver and smile as both of you roll your eyes. You know the anxiety isn’t worth it and that the rest of the day will be just fine. And so it goes…wouldn’t California be a great place to live?

I’ve been called a Pollyanna before, but consider the kind of California you want. Californians usually lead the way when it comes to social change. We have a reputation for being “a little out there,” yet the country follows our lead. Let’s start a revolution, one of positive action and let the butterflies go where they may!