This post has nothing to do with Twitter… Although you may follow me there @TheSoulSalon this post is about being a leader– There is a time to follow and a time to lead– Discern the time for each in life; your happiness may be riding on it.  Now, on to Fabre and his caterpillars…

Jean Henri Fabre  was a French entomologist. He conducted research in regard to the inherited behavior patterns of certain insects.  I recently heard about his findings in regard to the Processionary Caterpillar named for reasons made obvious by the photo below.

Fabre conducted a study where he put pine needles, the caterpillars food, in a pot and  placed the caterpillars in a circle around the pot. For seven days the caterpillars continued in an eternal circle around this pot… following the caterpillar in front of them. Sadly they all died with the food they needed just three inches away inside the pot they mindlessly circled around.  The problem was that the caterpillars followed the caterpillar in front of them.  Each as trusting and clueless as the next one–which of course led them on a path of “Activity” but not “Accomplishment.” Interestingly the caterpillars leave a trail which gives feedback to any caterpillar who comes upon it.  They can tell an old trail from a new trail–how many caterpillars were in a procession and they follow the trail that was “marked” by the greatest number of caterpillars.

Sometimes we do that too, don’t we?  The masses can’t be wrong, right? Notice if there are places in life that you may follow the trail of many–or follow in the footsteps of ______.  We can easily be hypnotized by group thought. In my practice  I have worked with people trying to create new paradigms for themselves. Some have had the “trail” of abuse, addiction, or rigid religious dogma to break away from.  Others have had lighter trails to step away from like moving to a new part of the country away from family or pursing a line of work or education different from peers or previous generations.

Standing apart and forging your own trail is not always easy, but will lead you to your most authentic and happy place.

All the best!

Rena M. Reese

Founder, Soul Salon International

Rena Reese
http://mysoulsalon.com/

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