Ok so everybody has heard the famous quote:

“The fluttering of a butterfly’s wings can effect climate changes on the other side of the planet.”  

So today I went for a run and well, there’s a lot of time to think about stuff while on a long run.  So of all the random things that go through my head, I got to thinking about this quote.  I was thinking that if something so small and insignificant as the fluttering of a butterfly’s wings can effect climate on the other side of the world, then what kind of impact do I have on this planet, and I’m not talking about the big things that I do.  I’m talking about little insignificant things like deciding to go on this run and deciding to run one route vs another route and deciding to run through a red light or wait; what effect do I have on this planet.  

So as I was running, I began noticing everything happening around me and I began wondering, how were lives effected by the simple action of seeing me run down the street.

 Now let me describe myself so there’s some content to this story.  This run took place at about 10pm on a weekday in the relatively quiet neighborhood of Los Altos, CA.  During this run, I was wearing all black; specifically black sweats, a black running jacket and a black beanie.  Oh and I’m 6’2 and weigh 210 pounds, so a pretty big guy.  I have no idea what the people who I encountered were thinking, but I imagine they see a pretty big guy in all black running by their car or past their house at 10pm at night, some kind of thought crosses their mind.

And everybody knows that once a thought is thought and a seed is planted, there’s no turning back.  So let’s hypothesize on how my run tonight might have impacted the world.

1. Seeing me running could have been that extra bit of motivation somebody needed to begin an exercise regime of their own.  That person could go on to be a marathon runner using running as a means to improve their health, their life, their profession, etc.  Hell, they could go on to become the next goddamn Tony Robbins and it could have all started with seeing me run tonight.
   
   
2. As I was running, I saw a red light up ahead.  Betting that somebody won’t run me over and not wanting to stop my run, I decided to run right through it.  Now there was a car at the light who had to wait an extra few seconds to let me pass.  I looked over at the lady in the car and she din’t seem to mind too much or be in a hurry.  But as I was passing her, I was curious what might have happened to her life if she didn’t have to wait those few extra seconds.  Might she have gone on and made the light