“Never give in . . . never, never, never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force . . . never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.
What do I remember of reading about chaos theory in the 1970s and ’80s? That everything is chaotic but there is order in the chaos. In 1972 a scientific paper entitled “Predictability: Does the Flap of a Butterfly’s Wings in Brazil set off a Tornado in Texas?” Following that, James Gleick published “Chaos: Making a New Science,” which became a best-seller because of its premise and because of its readability by a layperson (that would be me).
Somewhere around that time, Marin County philosopher Alan Watts sat on top of Mt. Tamalpais, let out a breath to the West and imaged it flowing around the earth to come around and touch him on the back of his head.
Prior to reading Chaos, I never liked killing anything . . . not an art, bug or moth. I had to excuse myself from frog-cutting-up in science classes. When the neighborhood boys tormented any creature, I cried. After reading Chaos, I can’t kill anything because of the effect it might have on our universe. Also, since that time, it has become very clear to me that everything is everything . . . we are all irrevocably connected. “We” meaning everything, not just people.
20th Century science introduced three main theories to the general public: quantum mechanics, relativity, and chaos. Chaos theory is a blanketing theory that covers all aspects of science, hence, it shows up everywhere in the world today: mathematics, physics, biology, finance, and even music.
The term chaos theory is used widely to describe an emerging scientific discipline whose boundries are not clearly defined.
From various Web sites:
Chaos theory is a developing scientific discipline which is focused on the study of nonlinear systems. To understand chaos theory, you must first have a grasp its roots: systems and the nonlinear.
System can be defined as the understanding of the relationship between things which interact. To better understand this idea, we will examine the example of a pile of stones. The pile is a system which interacts based upon how they were piled. If their initial piling is not in balance, the interaction results in their movement until they find a condition under which they are in balance. A group of stones which do not touch each other is not a system because the interaction between is so minute, it can be considered non-existant.
Systems can be modeled, meaning systems can be created which will theoretically replicate the behavior of the original system. Following the pile of stones example, one could take a second group of stones which are identical to the first group, pile them in exactly the same way as the first group, and predict that they will fall down into the exact same configuration as the first group. Similiarly, a mathematical model, based upon Newton’s law of gravity, could be used to predict how piles of same and different types will interact. Generally speaking, mathematical modeling is the key to modeling systems, although it is not the only way.
Nonlinear has to do with the type of mathematical model used to describe a system. Until the interest in chaos theory, hence nonlinear systems, most models were analyzed as though they were linear systems. In other words, when the mathematical models were draw in a graph format, the results appeared as a straight line. Calculus was Netwon’s mathematical method for showing change in systems within the context of a straight line and statistics.
Linear systems are easy to generate and simple to work with. That is because they are very predictable. For example, you could think of a factory as a linear system. We could predict that if we add a certain number of people, or a certain amount of inventory to the factory, that we will increase the number of pieces produced by the factory by a comparable amount.
As most managers know, factories don’t operate this way. Change the number of people, inventory, or any other variable in the factory and you receive widely differing results on a day to day basis from what would be predicted from a linear model. This is true because a factory is actually a nonlinear system, as are most systems found in life. When systems in nature are modeled mathematically, we find that their graphical representations are not straight lines and that the system’s behavior is not so easy to predict.
Prior to the devolepment of chaos theory, the majority of scientific study involved attempting to understand the world using linear models. Beginning with the work of Sir Isaac Newton, physics has been the has provided the processes for modeling nature, and the mathematics associated with them have been in a linear nature.
My introduction to fractal geometry was through the works of M.C. Escher, the Dutch artist who cut exquisite images of overlying patterns into wood to create works of beauty.
Escher used hyperbolic geometry for his woodcuts and he did not know what fractals were; his work is referred to as a “tessellation.” The honeycomb of bees is a fine example of a tessellated natural structure.
Imagine an equilateral triangle. Now, imagine smaller equilateral triangles perched in the center of each side of the original triangle–you have a Star of David. Now, place still smaller equilateral triangles in the center of each of the star’s 12 sides.
Repeat this process infinitely and you have a Koch snowflake, a mind-bending geometric figure with an infinitely large perimeter, yet with a finite area. This is an example of the kind of mathematical puzzles that this book addresses.
Fractual Geometry
The Fractal Geometry of Nature is a mathematics text. But buried in the deltas and lambdas and integrals, even a layperson can pick out and appreciate Mandelbrot’s point: that somewhere in mathematics, there is an explanation for nature. It is not a coincidence that fractal math is so good at generating images of cliffs and shorelines and capillary beds.
A “simple” explanation of fractal geometry from ThinkQuest’s online library:
While the classical Euclidean geometry works with objects which exist in integer dimensions, fractal geometry deals with objects in non-integer dimensions. Euclidean geometry is a description lines, ellipses, circles, etc. Fractal geometry, however, is described in algorithims — a set of instructions on how to create a fractal.
The world as we know it is made up of objects which exist in integer dimensions, single dimensional points, one dimensional lines and curves, two dimension plane figures like circles and squares, and three dimensional solid objects such as spheres and cubes. However, many things in nature are described better with dimension being part of the way between two whole numbers. While a straight line has a dimension of exactly one, a fractal curve will have a dimension between one and two, depending on how much space it takes up as it curves and twists. The more a fractal fills up a plane, the closer it approaches two dimensions. In the same manner of thinking, a wavy fractal scene will cover a dimension somewhere between two and three. Hence, a fractal landscape which consists of a hill covered with tiny bumps would be closer to two dimensions, while a landscape composed of a rough surface with many average sized hills would be much closer to the third dimension.
At this time in America’s uncertain climate, many of us are insecure. I know I am on many days . . . greatly due to the fact that I’ve been trying to save my home from foreclosure for more than one year. (Lenders DO NOT want to cooperate.)
I started writing this post without seeing any “wisdom in insecurity.”
Years ago, when Alan Watts first wrote that book, I saw value. And as I think about the title now, I can again glimpse the value of insecurity.
It is what is keeping me going, I pray every day, but it is my insecurity that causes me to plan and continue forward and not to “rest on my laurels.”
Many people are going through mortgage nightmares and the long road to be taken in trying to get the loans modified (including my family and quite a few close friends). It is a horrible, frightening, stressful time. The only thing worse than losing your home would be losing loved ones.
(The image of the lamb was taken in Wales near the slate mines. It was so peaceful that it truly seemed as though it were the Lamb of God.)
I just got off the phone with a gentlemen whose stress level is causing health problems. Nothing, absolutely nothing is worth making yourself sick over. So, I eMailed the following to him and I hope it will help others in the midst of any kind of trials and tribulations.
Whenever my mind won’t leave me alone — which is frequently, actually — I repeat something uplifting until my brain shuts up. My absolute favorite, even though I don’t follow any specific religious doctrine, is:
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
I’m also currently reading books on changing my DNA so that my response to challenges is calm and allows me to plan: I am the Captain of My Fate; I am the Master of My Soul. Also, several new movies illustrate just how challenging life is for others and how beautifully they overcome: “Avatar,” “Mandela,” and “The Blind Side.”
Almost all stress is of the mind. Almost all disease is just that — “dis-ease” — as philosopher 
Alan Watts
Remember, Be Here Now
Also, I am of the “Be Here Now” generation. Right now I’m sitting in my home, warm, comfortable, on my marvelous computer. We are in beautiful Marin County with everything we need. I’m not anywhere else. Yesterday is gone; tomorrow hasn’t arrived. At the moment, the reality is that I have no problems — I COULD worry about tomorrow, but why bother.
Okay.
Hugs.
We have just added a free workbook to the site so you can work on change-with-a-plan if you wish for 2010.
It’s a: Prosperity Journal Workbook, which we think is extremely important going into 2010 given the financial issues of 2009 for so many people.
The workbook is small, but it will serve as an outline to help you determine who you want to be and what you want in your life.
If you plan, odds are excellent that you will get where you want to go.
The methods used in this little guide have been used successfully by the founders of Wisdom to Change for many years . . . and by thousands of people around the world.
Change is going to happen even if you do not plan; you can help it change by intent to suit your wishes with the help of this workbook.
December 2009 ended with a rare blue moon, that was made even more rare by the fact that this blue moon coincided with a partial lunar eclipse and it was on the last day of the International Year of Astronomy.
The moon is not actually blue . . . Arvind Paranjpye, scientific officer of the public outreach programme, IUCAA, said “It is a very rare event and hence it derives its name from the phrase ‘once in a blue moon’. It is basically a calendar event and has no astronomical importance as such.
“It specifically appears once in 2.7 years,” said Mayuresh Prabhune, secretary of Khagol Vishwa, an amateur astronomer’s club.
But this blue moon is special because it is accompanied by an eclipse, an event that has not occurred in the last five to six decades. A lunar eclipse occurs whenever the moon passes through some portion of the earth’s shadow. This can occur only when the sun, earth and moon are aligned exactly or very closely aligned with earth in the middle. Lunar eclipse occurs only on a full moon day. “The full moon has to happen on the first or the second day of the month and the month must be of 31 days for such an event to occur. It has perfectly matched this month and hence the rarity,” Prabhune added.
Most calendar months see just one full moon. The 29.5 day cadence of the lunar cycle matches up almost perfectly with the 28 to 31 day length of calendar months. Sometimes, however, the one-to-one correspondence breaks resulting in two full moon days in one month. December was one such month. The first full moon of last month appeared on December 2.
The Serenity Prayer
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.
So many of us select a part of us to change and ignore the rest of our “self.” It doesn’t work that way. You are a whole package. Picking one side of your self to work on without addressing every side of you just isn’t effective. Your foundation will crumble somewhere. Sure, select one of your corners at a time, strengthen that, and move to another until things are as strong as they can be. But, again, improving your diet, for example, and ignoring exercise or living in unclean surroundings, or continuing to date that verbally or physically abusive other will still leave you weak and wanting. Who needs that!
This comes about today because of recent observations with friends who have health issues most of their lives and who live in very dirty surroundings . . . filled with grease, grime, dirt, pet dander, spilled food in cupboards (left for months or years at a time), etc. They have respiratory problems in the main. While I agree that challenging your system through exposure to germs is probably necessary to develop immunities, and that a too-clean environment is counter-productive to developing such immunities, I am also positive that ongoing exposure to dirty living quarters is dangerous to your health and often presents itself in the form of asthma, psychological stress, and any number of issues. It also, as noted in many articles, is a place that becomes embarrassing for family and friends to visit.
One of the important first steps to to get rid of clutter. Years ago I read an book indicating that if you have not used an item within 365 days (which accounts for holidays), you do not need it. I took that to heart, cleaned out all unused items and have maintained that for years. Cleaning my house is easy as a result. Many books (and services, if you have the budget for outside help) exist to help you, including: 
Organize Now!: A Week By Week Guide To Simplify Your Space And Your Life
If you really hate housecleaning, and many people do (and that is just fine), and if you can’t afford a cleaner, do yourself a favor by owning only what you really need, have time for, and which has it’s own place (you remember the old adage: A place for everything and everything in its’ place.). That will make your cleaning infinitely easier.
I’m sure your local hardware store can give ideas to make cleaning easier. If you’d prefer to shop from home, Amazon.com has a wide range of Cleaning Supplies
When asked how she stayed so beautiful, one of the French movie actresses (which I believe was Simone Signoret) said that she does her own housework and gardening.
And music helps. I’ve painted whole houses to The Police albumns. 
Music to Clean House By . . .
Your friends and family do love you, but there is only so much they can do. It is painful for them to see you let go and pretend to not care about yourself.
In addition to receiving certification for NLP and EFT, and developing methods of working with new discoveries with DNA, we are focusing on certification for specific types of exercise to help balance one’s system.
This started when I met a fitness trainer who mentioned one of her clients who had fractured a leg bone a couple of years ago. The woman started therapy and continued with her therapy at a local gym. The result was all of her strength back in her leg and a very fit body. But the trauma of the fall remains in her mind and she actually has trouble just walking down the street near the curb because she is again afraid of falling. Simple mind control can pull that woman away from that fear. Physical trauma, such as trauma from an auto accident, does live in your body until you acknowledge it and let it go.
Fears in normal circumstances are unreasonable . . . such as a fear of falling, fear of water, fear of heights, fear of snakes . . . unless it’s a boa constrictor climbing up the tree you’re in. (And, actually, boas cannot easily kill people, cattle, etc., although I can assure you that I would not wait around to prove that theory.)
The point is that your fears will cripple you, your life will lose luster, and you can control/change them forever.
