Monique Knight - Sense of a Goose

Friday, January 27, 2012 11:09 AM

Next Autumn, when you see geese heading south for the winter, flying in a "V" formation, you might consider what science has discovered as to why they fly that way. As each bird flaps its wings, it creates uplift for the bird immediately following. By flying in a "V" formation, the whole flock adds at least 71 percent greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own.

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

When the head goose gets tired, it rotates back in the wing and another goose flies point.

Geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.

Finally - and this is important - when a goose gets sick or is wounded by gunshot, and falls out of the formation, two other geese fall out with that goose and follow it down to lend help and protection. They stay with the fallen goose until it is able to fly or until it dies; and only then do they launch out on their own, or with another formation to catch up with their own group.

1. People 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 thrust of one another. Who do you know that shares a common direction?
2. If we have the sense of a goose, we will stay in formation with those people who are heading the same way we are. Do you let yourself fly with others heading the same way?
3. It is sensible to take turns doing demanding jobs, whether with people or with geese flying south. Do you take your turn with the more demanding jobs? Do you let others take a turn so you can rest sometimes?
4. What message do we give when we honk from behind? Do you cheer people on or put them down? Do you have positive people around you? 
5. If we have the sense of a goose, we will stand by each other like that.