Lesson from the Geese
By: Chito (Sep 19 2022)A little piece of wisdom from the animal kingdom. When you see geese flying in a ‘V’ formation you might consider what science has discovered as to why they fly that way.
| FACT | LESSON |
| As each bird flaps its wings, it creates an ‘uplift’ for the bird immediately following. By lifting in a ‘V’ formation, the whole flock has atleast 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own. | Human who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going more quickly and easily because they are travelling on the trust of one another. |
| When a geese flies out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of flying to do it alone. It quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the uplifting power of the bird in front of it. | If we have as much common sense as a goose, we stay information with those headed where we may to go. We are wiling to accept their help and give our help to others. It is harder to do something alone than together. |
| When the lead goose gets tired it rotates back into the formation and another goose flies to the point position. | It is sensible to take turns doing the hard and demanding tasks and share leadership, as with the geese, people are independent of each others skills, capabilities, and unique arrangements of gifts, talents and resources. |
| The gees flying in formation honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed. | 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 care values and encourage the heart and care of others) id the quality of honking we seek. We need to make sure our honking gives positive results. |
| When a geese gets sick, wounded or shot down, two other geese will drop out of formation with that geese and follow it down to lend help and protection. They stay with the fallen geese until it dies or is able to fly again. Then they launch on their won, or with another formation to catch up with their flock. | If we have the sense of a goose, we will stand up by our colleagues and each other in difficult times as well as in good times. |
Reference: Written by Angeles Arrien and published in ‘Growing Old Disgracefully’.