Processionary Caterpillars feed upon pine needles. They move through the trees in a long procession, one leading and others following - each with his eyes half closed and his head snugly fitted against the rear extremity of his predecessor

Jean-Henn Fabre, the great French naturalist, after patiently experimenting with a group of the caterpillars, finally enticed them to the rim of a large flower pot. He succeeded in getting the first one connected up with the last one, thus forming a complete circle, which started moving around in a procession, with neither beginning nor end.

The naturalist expected that after a while they would catch on to the joke, get tired of their useless march and start off in some new direction. But not so...

Through sheer force of habit, the living, creeping circle kept moving around the rim of the pot - around and around, keeping the same relentless pace for seven days and seven nights - and would doubtless have continued longer had it not been for sheer exhaustion and ultimate starvation.

Incidentally, an ample supply of food was close at hand and plainly visible, but it was outside the range of the circle so they continued along the beaten path.

They were following instinct - habit - custom - tradition - precedent - past experience - standard practice - or whatever you may choose to call it but they were following it blindly.

They miss took activity for accomplishment. They meant well - but they got no place.

This story was included as part of the materials handed out at a seminar I attended. The discussion which followed after we read this story concluded that the behavior of the processionary caterpillars is very similar to that of the majority of individuals. Few people today innovate, invent or create, they mostly follow what everyone else is doing.

Earl Nightingale, author and founder of Nightingale-Conant, said "for most, life can be liken to a convoy at sea. The lead ship travels at a speed when enables the slowest member of the convoy to keep up and maintain the formation."

Habits, past experiences, the opinions of others, fear of criticism, and resistance to change stifle many potentially pioneer inventors, successful business owners, and great leaders desire to grow, to innovate or to change, because they forbid them from allowing their own special light to shine.

Self improvement, success, popularity, good health, fame and fortune are not made by those who follow the beaten path. These rewards come to those who believe that they can change their lives. Those who decide that they will do whatever it takes to create that change. So they take the necessary actions to make it happen.

They believe. They convince themselves that they can. They plan. Then they act.

The others....? They follow the followers.

Which group do you belong to?

Thank you for your visit. Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

G. Harold McLeod
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