Tag: philosophy

Parallel Lives 

Bailey GunnLeave a comment

You ever hear of the butterfly theory? 

Also known as the chaos theory, it’s the idea that a flap of a butterfly’s wings halfway across the world could alter things that occur in a seemingly unrelated event (like your own life).

And just about every medium that deals with science fiction has explored this theory in some way, shape, or form. But that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t bear repeating. 

Because there’s another theory that goes right along with the butterfly theory: that every choice we make in our lives, even if it’s what to eat for dessert on a Tuesday night, changes the outcome of our entire existence. On a much larger scale, it encompasses every “what if” in life. What if he was “the one”? What if I took that job? What if I ordered tira misu? 

The difference here is that I would like to believe in the butterfly theory. I like the idea that small, unrelated events move us across the world like chess pieces. What I don’t like is thinking about a life parallel to the one I’m living that allows me to live out every decision I didn’t make. It’s agony. 

Which is why I believe that while our decisions do have great influence on our lives, we do have checkpoints. In short, that we are meant to be in some places, and that we will get there however we get there. That you cannot make a wrong turn. You’ll find your way, even if it’s not the most direct route. 

Why do I believe this? Because it would be suicide not to. It would be so painful to believe that I missed all my chances in life to do what I wanted most. 

I would really like to know how you could even go on living if you sincerely believed that you could actually make a wrong choice in your life that would impact it forever. (Spoiler alert: you can’t. Mistakes are only more experiences.)

In the end, you have to believe in second chances sometimes, if only to give yourself one. 

On Hakuna Matata

Bailey GunnLeave a comment

Hakuna Matata (it’s a wonderful phrase), but what’s not necessarily wonderful is what it means. Yes, of course, it means no worries for the rest of your days. (Update: Disney sued me for using that line even before I published this blog.) But Timon and Pumba also say that it means putting the behind in your–I mean, putting the past behind you. And that’s pretty sound advice, as Simba finds out…until it’s not.

And that’s what I’m finding too. For me, looking at a date in the past (especially if it’s in my childhood diary or in my inbox) makes me break out in hives and a cold sweat, mostly because I worry that 1) I haven’t done anything with my life or 2) I forgot to do something/follow up on something. The past is just a source of anxiety that I try to avoid at all costs that grows bigger and longer everyday, just like my guilt for not doing stuff does. And time itself is something that I’d simply prefer never to acknowledge at all. So, Hakuna Matata it is because I am just a large version of teenage Simba (but with less cooler hair).

But like I said, that’s not really the right way to go about it, and Simba figures that out pretty quickly (in the span of an entire song, but you get it). I mean, if you follow the philosophy of Hakuna Matata I’m guessing that you won’t have any worries, but then again, you may not be doing much of anything else, either. Except eating bugs and grubs. Or you know, ignoring your problems while your uncle plots to rule the world.

I’m pretty much saying what every 90’s kid already knows. Disney can predict what will happen to you in your adult life, and luckily, they already have the answers: face your fears and your past, and you’ll come full circle (of life).