The 100th Monkey

​You know that feeling you get when everyone is following an action, fad or trend and you literally want to vomit? You know it will pass but you start to wonder why there is always these relentless trends amplifying negativity. Why won't those who bring about positivity in the world, even in the smallest of ways, catch a break? If only everyone would put as much energy into something good, worthwhile and which may actually make a real difference in the world, maybe then, the world would reek of magic!
 
Well, I have a message for all of you who continue to shine brightly without thinking you have made an imprint. For those who feel the energy-sapping goodness is running dry. I want you to think about the real reason you shed virtuousness on others, and finally, to never stop spreading your radiance. It's called…
 
"The 100th Monkey"
 
"Bang!" A long time ago, government forces were testing atom bombs in the sea. It was seen to be the best place to drop huge devastation as it was only near uninhabited islands which would not affect human life if invaded with radiation.
 
Because the politicians were so kind, they decided to re-settle the island near the testing site with monkeys. Not just a few, but about ten thousand. There was a freshwater source in the middle of the island and the monkeys could enjoy the delicious coconuts, which were aplenty on this island. Interestingly enough, scientists made daily trips to test the environment and to observe how the monkey colony was settling in. One thing concluded from their visits; the coconuts were extremely hard to eat as the rusks were radioactive. This could derail the entire re-settlement, taking down an excellent goodwill gesture in the process. Solution: teach some monkeys how to wash the coconuts thoroughly prior to devouring them. This was an arduous task and took over a month to establish the washing routine with just a small, nine monkey sample. The mission was a difficult one, re-settling an intoxicating environment but the government; scientists and environmentalist were resilient, it had to be done. 
 
After six weeks, there was something peculiar in the science reports from the previous month and a half. Nine monkeys were rigorously cleansing the coconuts of radioactive remanence, making it easier for consuming and overall survival of the colony. The original nine trained cleaners turned into thirteen. It was a celebration; the mission was possibly going to work. Ten thousand strong, with many female nurturing babies, the colony needed this routine to survive, so having caught on, those extra four monkeys would now hold the key to clean coconut rusks and the survival of the island primates. The scientist made trips monthly for the next few months, what they found was amazing. On their returns they found nineteen monkeys cleaning, followed by thirty-four, fifty-seven, seventy-four and ninety-one. Then one-hundred, two days in a row. As incredible a breakthrough this was, showing that if one hundred monkeys can conform to this ritual and despite only one percent of the primate population having started the regime of cleaning for survival, it proved to the scientists that, perhaps in time, the monkeys would all be doing this life saving, revolutionary task.
 
It was decided to fund a venture to the island for a team of specialist researchers and animal conservationists over a twelve-month period. The team would rotate fortnightly and hence, give 24/7 access to the monkeys and their inspiring development. But after a staggering one week on the island, something truly mind-blowing occurred.
 
The team of scientists sent out search parties to different parts of the fresh water source on an overcast day. This day was to have the most amazing silver lined clouds for what they were to witness was truly unbelievable.
 
Although the time was stringently toilsome, often grueling, the scientists feasted their eyes on one special gathering. Ten thousand monkeys, as if in ritual, washing their rusks readying themselves for consummation. Over the next week, the same thing had happened, time and time again.
 
With what was a hunch originally, a distant "maybe", the looming survival strategy for this colony had worked tremendously. Each day, the primates would make their way to the fresh water and wash, it was now habitual.
 
Even if you think your positivity is making a limited impact, you must persevere, for one day, when you least expect it, the sun will shine upon you and the masses will worship your glory. Make good habits and in time your legacy will reign over all.