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1. Monkeys live in Africa, Asia, and South America. There are more than 260 monkey species.
2. The smallest monkeys are about 13 cm (5 in) tall and weigh nearly 113 g (4 oz). The largest ones can be 95 cm tall (3 ft) and weigh up to 37 kg (82 lbs).
3. A monkey can swing energetically from tree to tree and branch to branch by using its hands, feet, and tail. It is very effective at harnessing the energy of its swinging motion (going back) to get to its destination (going forward).
4. Monkeys have long, powerful tails. They use them for balance and vertical leaping. They are also able to hang upside down from trees for long periods of time.
5. These animals are very curious, and they can get into trouble. When in captivity, efforts have to be made to keep them entertained, so they don’t become destructive.
6. Many types of monkeys live high up in the trees. They are called arboreal as they will spend their entire lives in the tree canopy. Others go back and forth between land and trees.
7. What else can you learn about monkeys?
How does the monkey represent going back in order to move forward? Can you think of a time in your life when you felt like you weren’t accomplishing your goal; but in reality, the “backswing” was actually helping you obtain it?
A monkey is very effective at harnessing the energy of its swinging motion (going back) to get to its destination (going forward). Why is it important to learn from mistakes and failures (going back)? Can you think of an example in your own life when you learned from your failures and how that helped you go forward?
There are big and small monkeys, and all of them can swing in trees. Everyone, no matter their size or age, make mistakes and everyone can learn from them. Can you think of a mistake you have made when you were younger? What did you learn from it?
Monkeys have long, powerful tails that they can use to hang upside down. Hanging upside down gives the monkey a different perspective. What kind of perspective should we view our failures in?
Set a personal goal this week. Reflect on how you can go back to go forward.