At our June 29th DBSA meeting, Don shared his presentation entitled; “ If a Tree Falls” 

Don, shared with our group that in the previous two weeks, someone shared something in his second hour group that really broke his heart. 

He began by saying that we all have a voice, and we all have something to say.

Sometimes we can relate to what our presenter is presenting tonight, and sometimes maybe we don’t.  But remember a message always takes two to complete, involving a sender and a receiver. He shared maybe tonight you are listening to something that was said, but more than likely you will remember it more so later on. But this is what our group is all about. This is what our first hour is about. 

As presenters, we all start out by sharing what we believe will connect with others, and hopefully be of value to someone.  Even though what Don shared tonight may not connect with many of you, that is okay. We are all unique and at different places on our wellness journey. 

To Don, sharing what he has to say has taken on a greater urgency, as his health has not been the best as of late.  But he feels that it’s important to share what he has learned along the way, and hopefully it will help someone where needed. 

Every one of our presenters has a unique voice, and has something to say. But truthfully, we all have a unique voice and we all have something important to say!  Everyone of us has lived experiences and has learned something from those experiences. 

We’ve all gone through times when we’ve felt that we didn’t matter. But remember that is our illness lying to us. This couldn’t be further from the truth!  You do matter and you do make a difference every day! 

You matter and you can make a difference, and you may not always know what a difference you may have made. 

Don also shared with us something called “ the butterfly effect “ 

The butterfly effect was first formulated by American meteorologist and mathematician Edward Lorenz in the 1960s. 

His theory claims that even a tiny change in the starting of an event (such as the flutter of a butterfly) could lead to drastic differences in the outcome of the situation. 

The basic claim of the butterfly effect is that even tiny changes can lead to huge differences.

The butterfly effect is a simple philosophy stating that everything that happens, everything you say or do, could lead to a domino effect with important differences. 

Don shared it’s important to remember we can’t control everything that happens in our lives. In fact, we probably only control a tiny percentage of it. 

Yet, that tiny percentage is everything we have, so it’s priceless, and we should do anything we can to make it count. Everything we can to make it matter. 

A small gesture or a few kind words may make a lot of difference in your life or  in the life of others. Most of the time we’re so busy or stressed we may not always pay attention to what we say or do. Just like Don shared, if you have something to say, say it.  Your voice does matter!  What you say and share may change the direction of your life as well as that of others. 

You may not be able to control all areas of your life, but sometimes even the tiniest changes may make a difference.

Don shared that if there was anything he wanted us to take away from his presentation, would be to remember this. 

Even at your darkest moments, cry out. Keep trying. Realize that action that looks so good to you in the moment, will have effects far and wide.

Open up and be receptive of every one else’s butterflies coming to help you, rather than sending out the dark butterflies. 

Remember if you are feeling you are worthless, use your voice and watch the beauty of the butterfly storm descend on you and lift you out of darkness.

Try and make a difference for you and the ones that love you.

Use your voice, because it matters.

You matter!