I recently read a study conducted in 1952. Reliability and the actual occurrence of the study even taking place was called into question, that it may just be a myth. Regardless the study enthralled me and mythical or not I enjoyed it. Here’s the gist of it.
Scientists were providing monkeys with sweet potatoes dropping them in the sand for the monkeys to collect. The monkeys loved the potatoes but hated the sand. One of the monkeys realised that she could rectify the problem by washing the sand off in the nearby stream, she taught the other monkeys. Through imitation they were able to learn. Now this in itself isn’t an anomaly, these creatures are intelligent and able to learn. What was surprising was that colonies of monkeys on other islands began doing the exact same thing without any ability to imitate through observation, as they were on neighbouring islands with ocean in-between.
Hence the name “The Hundredth Monkey Phenomenon”, the hundredth monkey was the tipping point, so to speak, that pushed the knowledge of a select group to spread and be communicated within the species mind to mind. Which can be concluded that if enough individuals tuned into a certain behaviour there would be a point where subconsciously everyone would pick up on this. Where a species begins to evolve. (A little side note: The older monkey’s learnt from the younger monkeys).
So often I get told that my individual actions can’t even begin to change a society so steadfast in its ways. For example, because it means so much to me, that my small gesture of recycling couldn’t possibly put even the smallest of dents in resolving a crisis that awaits us. The message that I’m trying to convey is that you may well be that hundredth monkey. The monkey that pushed humanity towards collective consciousness and helped bring about the actualisation of important impactful change.
Therefore,
Recycle – You may be the monkey that reverses climate change.
Love more – You may be the monkey that abolishes hate.
Plant trees – You may be the monkey to change deforestation giving actual monkeys back their homes.
I understand and am not naïve enough to be deluded into the fact that I may not be able to create change alone. HOWEVER I may be that hundredth monkey that tips us ever so slightly over the edge and that alone means that no matter what your cause, or how small the gesture, is absolutely worth the action.
I recall reading about this study in Malcolm Gladwell’s book “Tipping Point.”
Look to nature and you can see that millions of tiny steps lead to change. Over time, of course, like wind and water eroding mountains to a pile of dust. Perhaps with a bit of conscious effort and knowing that we will have an impact, we can help.
You be the 100th, and I’ll be the 101st.
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I absolutely love your insight! Thank you. You’ve got a deal, we’ll be the monkeys to change the world!
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😀 Plus, in the Chinese calendar, I was born in the year of the monkey. Make of that what you will. 😉
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Make that three of us 🙂
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A lovely post. Small steps lead to big change. 😊
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Thank you for reading! I agree, that’s all we can hope for!
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I believe that every small act counts in creating change.
Thanks for the follow 🙂
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Thank you so much for reading!
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I agree, Rosaliene – we all influence each other, hopefully for the good – great post, Ellie
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We can be the change I totally believe that. So I’m working for change in the world of addiction and childhood abuse and neglect. Thank you for the follow and following you right back. Linda 😊
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What an amazing way to spend your time pushing and working for change for people who need it most! I love that! Thank you Linda!
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I think it may take more than a 100, we had love and peace in the 60s aand it didn’t work! But having said that we all should look to ourselves when preaching change! It really irritates me that envirnomentalists think nothing of flying to attend a conference at the other side of the globe! Haven’t they heard of the conference calls. I shall continue my small steps as I have all my life but I don’t expect big things to happen, but I will have done an old fogies best.
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Haha probably a lot more then 100 for what we need to achieve! But I do believe that once enough people are on the same page it will push us toward change.
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Interesting slant on development of a species and hence evolution.
Can I say I love your gravatar photo, very clever.
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Yeah just how I interpreted the study and how I thought it could relate to us in a way. Oh thank you!
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fascinating; and thanks for the follow
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That’s an interesting study and I love your encouragement to be the change-maker. There are hundreds of little things we can do individually and when they add to the collective whole, change is inevitable. 🙂
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Change will come I’m sure of it, it has to!
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Hello Ellie, this is a wonderful post to point out to people that we should take responsibility for our actions. That we can make a difference in the way we live instead of passing it down the line. Here’s to the hundredth monkey in us. Cheers.
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Hey there, yeah and to be honest there won’t be much of a line to pass it down to if we carry on living so frivolously. It must be us to start the motion of change! Absolutely here’s to being the hundredth monkey! Thank you for having a read!
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You are quite so welcome! 🙂
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I applaud the sentiment, Ellie. 🙂 🙂
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19:37 rxnot my best cindy penrfomarce but slowed down by transitions and squats given my bum legprops to the 630 crew for making it fun alwayscash out: med ball throw situps with jcash.. fun times
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I’ve always found this phenomenon to be inspiring. Thanks for the reminder, Ellie. And thanks for the ‘follow’, too!
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Brilliant post.
Can’t say what my “day job” is due to confidentiality issues, but I strive to push for change every working day.
But aside from that, I LOVE the idea that one of us may be that monkey
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Hey thank you very much! I know when I read the study I too thought what a cool concept, to be able to reach the point where if enough of us contribute to change just one more persons contribution could create that shift in all of our thoughts and behaviour. It’s a nice idea!
Thank you for reading!
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A lovely, well thought out post. I hadn’t heard about the 100th monkey, and I like the concept, especially the use you put it to. Thanks for the follow, too!
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Neither had I until I read about it in a book and then researched it! I like the concept too. Thank you for reading! X
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Hi!
I’ve nominated you for the Mystery Blogger Award! If you decide to accept it, do check it out here!
https://writeallywrite.wordpress.com/2017/06/24/mystery-blogger-award-2/
And… this post really made me wonder a lot. 😀
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Interesting piece Ellie. Thank you for sharing.
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Felt so hopeless looking for answers to my qu.eoitns..suntil now.
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Isn’t it great when the answers begin showing.
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Ed 5:54 Good post. Taking religion out of Christmas, or reducing it, is a different issue than eliminating churches. Churches do lots of goods works. So do lots of other organizations. I wish churches paid property taxes.
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Good read, and even a better conclusion. Keep writing and keep entertaining.
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Hey thanks for reading! Will definitely keep writing! X
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Excellent article, and very impressive blog! One of the things that I am very much into is the concept of the Indigo Children. I have been thinking about it since first hearing about the Indigos, and except for my oldest daughter very little interest or acceptance. The Indigos are recognizable by their eyes…abnormally bright and shiny and deep, and these people know everything….. I mean everything. I know some personally. Maybe I will blog about the Indigos…one of my favorite subjects.
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Ohhh definitely blog about it! Sounds super interesting I’d be interested in reading about that! Thank you for reading and looking at my blog too!
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love your blog too…stay tuned 🙂
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with your consent I would like to re-blog the “monkey” article on my blog, SOMETIMES.
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Absolutely I would love that!
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Reblogged this on SOMETIMES and commented:
This blog just came to my attention this morning, and its my favorite blog today. Thanks SO much for the re-blog Ellie Haretuko…and for following my blog.
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Oct21Danielle Hi, the foandution/advanced course looks great, I am looking to perhaps do this course in 2013. I see that you have mentioned that you do a weekend taster is it possible to have some more info on this please? Thank you !
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Love this!
What ‘if’ it does all come down to the power of positive thought!??
Excellent blog! 🙂 following*
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Thanks for reading and thank you for following!! 😆
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Gee wiikellrs, that’s such a great post!
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Now if only that’d work during elections. 😉 Thanks for swinging by the Ranch and for the follow. We ❤︎ visitors.
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Animals,, unlike humans, have a collective consciousness, so the 100th monkey phenomena makes absolute sense. As for being the 100th monkey in bringing about change for us and our beautiful planet, if enough of us 100th’s turn our minds into positive thoughts, the energy we put out will attract what we are calling for. It just takes time for the wheels to turn and change the balance 🙂
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I absolutely agree. Time will tell.
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I was really confused, and this answered all my quonsiest.
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You’re the one with the brains here. I’m wahinctg for your posts.
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A beautiful blog .Thank you for introducing me to it. Yes to bring change it is imperative to be the change. Small measures add to create the desired result.
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Interesting article. Thanks for the follow.
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Someone has to be the hundredth monkey, and every single one that came before it is required to make up that hundred. We must follow our hearts and aspire to being the most positive force in the world, without any aspirations to be that 100th monkey or change the world single handedly. Our efforts will always add up to the total goodness available to mankind.
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Beautifully said. And absolutely agree! Whatever it is that drives us and whatever we actively and positively put our minds to will always be worthwhile and create a push toward a good change.
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You are an amazing and clear thinker! Thanks for this refreshing post!
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Lovely post. And be of good cheer. I try very hard to recycle, put love into my fellow humans, and I plant lots of trees. You’re not doing this alone. 🙂
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Naw love hearing that!! I know that so many people are on the same wave length as us. Thanks for your message 😊
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Very interesting, Ellie.
Thank you for following me!
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I really like this post! It gives me hope, touches on some metaphysical notions I’ve rolled around (positive thoughts/prayer, The Gift, and quantum mechanics and how their is potentially an infinite amount of us in parallel universes that can be affected by the positive things we choose to do. I’m rambling, but again–great post!
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Ramble away, it’s fine! And thank you very much for taking the time to read!
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