Fine Feathered Friend

In keeping with nature, we are constantly reminded that although we are claim dominance in the chain of nature, our mother rules this planet. She sends the cool gentle breezes or the dry scorching blanket of heat. She teaches us many lessons of survival and instinct. Caring for all creatures in the circle of life. As recent weather conditions become the results of El Nino, should we wonder, maybe mother is trying, again, to teach us something.

The Ann Landers column offered a wonderfully simple analogy sent in by a reader from New York named Ithaca. The submission compared geese to mankind. I am not sure when the information was initially printed, but it had been collected from the Dick E. Bird News (no longer in print).  A very simple practice learned from our “fine feathered friends”.

What We Learn From Geese:

Fact No. 1: As each bird flaps its wings, it creates an uplift draft for the bird following. By flying in a “V” formation, the whole flock adds a greater flying range than if one bird flew alone.

Lesson No. 1: People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they’re going quicker and more easily because they are traveling on the strength of one another.

Fact No. 2: Whenever a goose falls out of 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 immediately in front.

Lesson No. 2: If we have as much sense as geese, we will stay in formation and be willing to accept help when we need it and give help when it is needed.

Fact No. 3: When the lead goose gets tired, it rotates back into the formation, and another goose flies in the point position.

Lesson No. 3: Geese instinctively share the task of leadership and do not resent the leader.

Fact No. 4: The geese in formation honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.

Lesson No. 4: We need to make sure our honking from behind is encouraging and not something else.

Fact No. 5: When a goose gets sick, is wounded or is shot down, tow geese drop out of formation and follow it down to the ground to help protect it. They stay with their disabled companion until it is able to fly again or dies. They then launch out on their own or with another formation or they catch up with the flock.

Lesson No. 5: If we have as much sense as geese, we too, will stand by one another in difficult times and help the one who has dropped out regain his place.

As the lessons encourage, are we uniting in our community efforts, or are we the misery that loves company? Are we just a bunch of crabs in the barrel, not letting anyone get to the top, clawing and pulling at opportunities that can be gained through unity? The organizations and groups that are working for common goals should share in the leadership rolls and fall back into formation to give strength to all those who work to better the communities, create jobs and homes or whatever the mission stated.  Which two of the flock will protect its companion in cause? Do you understand your cause or mission? Do we, the dominant creature, learn anything from these “senseless” animals? Let us birds of a feather, flock together.