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| You eat, while I watch, and then I'll watch while you eat....Geese looking out for one another |
The geese have returned to our neighborhood. Each spring I delight in watching them. The way they stick together as a flock. They way they pair up and watch each other's backs. The sound of their webbed feet hitting the water. The honking of the flock as they fly overhead...and soon the arrival of the goslings. We see the mamas tucked away in the reeds and know the nests are near. We stop the cars when they come and watch the parade, no matter how busy we think we are.
For year's I've enjoyed learning lessons from geese. How they fly in formation and take turns sharing the leadership role. How it's okay to be tired and let someone else take the reins. How they mate for life and are fiercely protective of one another and their young. How they stick together until there is healing, or the end has come.
Here is a post from a fellow goose-lover with some facts.
Lessons From Geese
FACT 1:
As each goose flaps its wings it creates an “uplift” for the birds that follow. By flying in a “V” formation, the whole flock adds 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew alone.
Lesson:
As each goose flaps its wings it creates an “uplift” for the birds that follow. By flying in a “V” formation, the whole flock adds 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew alone.
Lesson:
People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going quicker and easier because they are traveling on the thrust of one another.
FACT 2:
When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of flying alone. It quickly moves back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front of it.
When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of flying alone. It quickly moves back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front of it.
Lesson:
If we have as much sense as a goose we stay in formation with those headed where we want to go. We are willing to accept their help and give our help to others.
FACT 3:
When the lead goose tires, it rotates back into formation and another goose flies to the point position.
FACT 3:
When the lead goose tires, it rotates back into formation and another goose flies to the point position.
Lesson:
It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing leadership. As with geese, people are interdependent on each other’s skills, capabilities and unique arrangements of gifts, talents or resources.
FACT 4:
The geese flying in formation honk to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.
The geese flying in formation honk to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.
Lesson:
We need to make sure our honking is encouraging. In groups where there is encouragement, the production is much greater. The power of encouragement (to stand by one’s heart or core values and encourage the heart and core of others) is the quality of honking we seek.
FACT 5:
When a goose gets sick, wounded or shot down, two geese drop out of formation and follow it to help and protect it. They stay with it until it dies or is able to fly again. Then, they launch out with another formation or catch up with the flock.
When a goose gets sick, wounded or shot down, two geese drop out of formation and follow it to help and protect it. They stay with it until it dies or is able to fly again. Then, they launch out with another formation or catch up with the flock.
Lesson:
If we have as much sense as geese, we will stand by each other in difficult times as well as when we are strong.
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