Lesson from Geese

We need to fly with others to be uplifted

We can learn from nature around us.  Here are some lessons we can learn from the geese.

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.  The lesson is we need to fly with others to be uplifted.  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.

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. The lesson is 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.

When the lead goose tires, it rotates back into the formation and another goose flies to the point position.  The lesson is it pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and share. As with geese, people are interdependent on each other’s skills, capabilities and unique arrangements of gifts, talents, and resources.

The geese flying in formation honk to encourage those up front to keep going! The lesson is we need to make sure our honking is encouraging. In groups where there is encouragement, the production is much greater. The power of encouragement, which is to listen to one’s own heart or core values, and to listen to the core values of others, is the quality of honking we seek.

When a goose gets sick, wounded or shot down, two geese drop out of formation and follow it down to help protect it. They stay with it until it dies or is able to fly again. Then, they launch out with another formation of geese and try to catch up with the flock.  The lesson is if we have as much sense as geese, we will stand by each other in difficult times as well as when we are strong.

Author Unknown

Community

When we fly with others we need to make sure that we have a positive effect on the community.  Fly with the people that will be there for you like the geese.  Fly with people that are positive and caring.  Help them to build a caring, compassionate community that takes care of each other.  

"The life I touch for good or ill will touch another life, and that in turn another, until who knows where the trembling stops or in what far place my touch will be felt."
-- Frederick Buechner


"Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive." -- Dalai Lama