A Lesson from Geese

Some of you may have heard some of this stuff already... it's kinda cool.

Have you ever wondered why migrating geese fly in a formation?

As each bird flaps it's wings, it creates uplift for the following bird. In a V formation, the whole flock adds at least 71% more flying waves then if each bird flew alone. Whenever a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to fly it alone... and quickly gets back into formation.

Like geese, people who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going quicker and easier than those who try to go it alone.

When a goose gets tired, it rotates to the back of the formation and another goose flies at the point position.

Ultimately, peoples success depends on working as a team, taking turns doing the hard tasks, and sharing leadership.

Geese in the rear of the formation honk to encourage those up front to up their speed.

It is important that our "honking" from behind be encouraging. Otherwise it's just- well, honking.

When a goose gets sick or wounded, two other geese drop out of formation and follow it down to help and provide protection. They stay with the unhealthy member of the flock until it is either able to fly again or it dies. Then they launch out again with another passing flock or try to catch up with their own.

May we be so sacrificial, that we may be worthy of such friends in our time of need.

I must say I will never look at two single geese in the sky the same way again. Thank you and Happy Valentines Day to specifically my two geese, you know who you are, who are always willing to either carry my weight or to "drop out of formation" to go down with me in times of need. You are invaluable... irreplaceable... and I consider myself honoured to be able to be there for you in your times of need. Through tick and thin. For better or worse. But let us not forget girls... (and I say this to myself as much as to you...)

May we not forget that we were made to fly...