Flight Of The Bumblebee

It's springtime! We've weathered the cold of yet another winter. And if you're like me, you can hardly wait to go outside without several layers of protective clothing!

Among the sure signs of spring are insects, like bumble­bees. Even if you don't like bees and other insects, I think you'll appre­ciate the fable I want to tell you. It makes a true point.

Once upon a time, some eminent scientists developed an interest in the bumblebee. (Let's make them actual rocket scientists, at NASA.) They hoped the tiny insect held some secrets of flight that could be applied to shuttles re-entering the atmosphere. But the wings didn't seem able to generate enough lift for the relatively large torso. Certainly the round, hairy body was not well streamlined.

You probably know the punch line: After weeks of study, the NASA scientists unanimously concluded that bumblebees can't fly. But since no one told the bumblebee, the foolish creature has gone right on believing that it can.

The moral to this story is that you need to believe in yourself and your capacity to succeed, no matter what the so-called experts say. And that moral is true, even though the story isn't.

As automobile manufacturer Henry Ford said, "If you think you can or you think you can't, you're probably right." So as the year turns into hopeful spring, always think, "I can!"