Uniformanism vs Catastrophism

Uniformanism vs Catastrophism

Waterfalls require
study.

Geology - the idea that something happens in a uniform manner over history...e.g. a trickle of water multiplied across a million years becomes a canyon.  On the other hand, the Missoula Lake Flood has evidence of a rapid, or catastrophic style input to create the same "canyon" effect.  When we look at the idea of something occurring slowly, almost habitually, or in a crashing moment of wild momentum, we can see how there are parallels to our family lives and our personal lives in general.  Think about what has shaped you over the years - habits like budgets, calendars, schedules, and so forth.  You may also say polarizing events like marriage and parenthood, or negative events like divorce or untimely death were defining moments.  

Nature is a good
study guide.

In biology, this general thought of rapid change or growth has been called "punctuated equilibrium" - the idea that we go along in status quo mode without much change...until something happens and we do.  Agencies or organizations evolve/adapt in this manner.  At the non-profit I worked at, we had a leader who was fond of the "prepping and leveraging" moments of punctuated equilibrium.  In an example at a major hurricane, we'd been toying around with drone technology but in the "peacetime," there was often too much red tape, bureaucracy, liability, complaint, concern, etc that would get in the way of meaningful progress.  In the lead-up, leaders had been prepping the integration of drone technology so when the major storm happened, they were able to leverage the technological benefits.  The equilibrium was punctuated.  

Grand Canyon
of the Yellowstone

Recently we had a person in our circle reveal she'd gotten divorced months before but they were still living
together because of financial limitations.  That got us talking...is "divorce" or whatever other "unhappy ending" a byproduct of uniformanism or catastrophism.  Did your marriage die all at once or a little bit at a time?  Did you "slip" into the affair down that slippery slope or was it a series of little grains of sand grating for seasons and years that finally swept you over the proverbial edge?  A fire chief I worked with who could probably be a stunt double for a standup comedian talked about his ex-wife and how it ultimately went to "how she chewed her blankety-blank cereal" as the final straw over the many years.

Acadia learning

Understanding the concept that both can end in the same awful outcome is a huge way to map out your guardrails when you understand the potential problems more fully.  If you subscribe to the theory of uniformanism, the idea of a dinner with someone of the opposite sex as a habit becomes more problematic.  When we invite others into our "intimate" spaces through personal conversation, compliments, "down time" like a long road trip, or breaking bread, we slide, uniformly closer to a potential precipice.  We might dive, catastrophically over said edge if we hit up the bar, get hammered, and flirt with the flirty girl.  

These rocks didn't "ooch"
their way here.

Similarly, with raising kids, the small basics of "blocking and tackling" add up over time with our children in shaping their way ahead.  For better or worse, there will also be those things they look back on as course-changing or catalysts to new paths.  Growing up, in junior high, I had the opportunity to help out an uncle on a very rural ranch.  The "have to be a man" path led to commercial farming during the summers and breaks of high school...which led to firefighting and the military.  The catastrophic change in pace started a new canyon that developed its own habitual path of action.  

Looking out over Zion.

Think back in your life with the moments that turned your course.  Also, think back about the general momentum of motion (habits) that have helped shape you and move you closer to where and who you are today.  Think about the events that can be looked back on in the coming year for your marriage and parenting that will be ones that you can say, "That changed our course."  Some in our life were small conversations (happy catastrophes, if you will) that led us to homeschool, pursuing Financial Independence/Retire Early (FIRE), and nurturing a robust travel bug (our 4-year-old hit all lower 48 states and most all of the National Parks...by 8 years old, they'd hit most of them multiple times).  

Don't skip skinny
dipping at Arches.

As close up, hopefully, you use the two pathways and philosophies to take advantage of, cultivate, and give yourself a catalyst to the positive change you desire.  No matter if you're "going fast" with a change or chipping away day in, day out, realize that both have a key place in your family lives.  One person in our circle, had habits that were carefully selected and ingrained...but when they had a stars-align-type chance to re-create life outside of a major metro into a rural environment, they jumped on it...then settled into new habits in the newly formed canyon.  Best of luck in finding your rhythm between the two pathways.    

With you in the arena, from ours to yours...Happy Trails!

Call to Action: 

• Pick out a "catastrophe" you could initiate that you've hoped for...list out three roadblocks that you need to overcome and three next-step actions you'll do this month to shake it up.  
• 1 - ___________________ 
• 2 - ___________________
• 3 - ___________________
• Discussion: Consider what you/your family could/would/should (level of commitment) and start/stop/sustain (action) in terms of new (or renewed) habits as well as the "big shift/new canyon" you want to form. 

Further Reading, Motivation, and References:

- Catastrophism Video on Youtube

- Punctuated Equilibrium definition