Unintended and Connected Consequences

     The perception that there are no random acts, that we are all connected allows one to link seemingly unrelated events to each other. In the book, the simple act of Eddie chasing the ball into the street forever connects him to the death of a stranger, the Blue Man.  Being the first person Eddie meets in heaven, the Blue Man challenges Eddie to understand that all actions in life are connected to consequences, even when they are not your own. This concept helps me to understand that decisions I make may affect others. Although I may not be aware of the consequential effect of certain actions, others may be forced to live with those consequences.
     The idea that no life can be separated from another more than you can separate a breeze from the wind complicates the idea that we live as individuals. The story, on multiple occassions, entwines the lives of the characters through seemingly unrelated events.  Such is the case when Eddie's father and Emile end up hospitalized for different reasons.  Although the cause of each injury/illness was different, the two men were connected. Eddie's father was the head of maintenance at Ruby Pier; the amusement park established by Emile. This reminds me that there may be instances where I am connected to people through a shared emotion of joy or hardship although our journeys to that point may be unrelated.  
     Collectively, one cannot discern who, what or when the consequences of a seemingly unimportant decision or action will affect another. After reading the book and understanding its meaning, I have noticed that some decisions made in the past, that I thought were unimportant, have affected me or others in unexpected ways.