Nancy's Notes

We will soon bear witness to one of many spectacles of nature as large numbers of geese pass overhead, honking out their signals as they travel from one locale to another, in search of warmer, healthier climates. They are master meteorologists, knowing when to migrate and when to stay put; few decisions in any life are this clear. I love their calls, their communication amongst the formation, and the way they take care of each other. There are so many takeaways when learning about geese, such as the following excerpt from “Praying Our Goodbyes,” written by Joyce Rupp:

“Geese speak to the part of me that knows transition and change are necessary, that leaving secure situations is an essential part of growth. When I hear flocks of geese call and see their patterned flight, they encourage me to allow myself to stretch and to grow. The flight of geese helps me to recall all the blessings that change and transition have meant for my own growth and all the special people who have walked through my heart because I have moved on. The migration of geese, and all birds, deepens the belief in my to keep traveling the inner roads when I would rather not go.”

I saved this quote years ago because it spoke to me of experiences I have personally lived through, more than once, and I can vouch for its truth. I bought into the quote so wholeheartedly that I bought the book, based on just these few sentences.

Here are some more lessons to be learned from geese, these from an unknown source that is simply titled “Lessons From A Goose.”

As each goose flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird behind it. By flying in a V-formation, the whole flock adds 71 percent more flying range than if each bird flew alone.

LESSON: If we have as much sense as a goose, we would understand that we can get where we are going quicker and easier when we share a common direction and sense of community by traveling on the thrust of one another.

When a goose gets sick, wounded or shot down, two geese drop out of formation and follow it down. They stay with the goose to help and protect it until it’s able to fly again or dies. Then they launch out with another formation to catch up with the flock.

LESSON: If we have as much sense as a goose, we would stand by each other.

When a goose falls out of the formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to fly alone and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird in front.

LESSON: If we have as much sense as a goose, we would stay in formation with those who are headed where we want to go.

When the lead goose gets tired, it rotates back into the formation and another goose flies at the point position.

LESSON: If we have as much sense as a goose, we would take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing leadership.

And finally, the geese in formation honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.

LESSON: If we have as much sense as a goose, we would make sure our honking from behind is encouraging, not something less than helpful.