The sense of a goose

Sally and I watched in fascination as a 'V' of geese passed over the water in Stanley Park. Sure I've seen this before, but in never ceases to amazing me each and every time. I wondered how they communicate to eachother and how they keep such great time. We giggled as the first goose not only flapping his wings, was also "honking" as he went. We figured that looked like a lot of work for him! And the last few seemed to be talking amongst themselves and we imagined what they could be saying.. haha. And sally commented, it must hard being a goose....

I stumbled across a story today that lends an opinion to whether it really is hard to be a goose or not. I feel as though, maybe it is easy. Maybe it is harder being a human after all...

The sense of a goose

"When you see geese flying along in "V" formation, you might consider what science has discovered as to why they fly that way: 

As each bird flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird immediately following. 

By flying in "V" formation, the whole flock adds at least 71 percent greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own.

People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going more quickly and easily because they are traveling on the thrust of one another.

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.

If we have as much sense as a goose, we will stay in formation with those people who are headed the same way we are.

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

It is sensible to take turns doing demanding jobs, whether with people or with geese flying south.

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

What messages do we give when we honk from behind?

Finally ... and this is important ... when a goose gets sick or is wounded by gunshot, and falls out of 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 group.

If we have the sense of a goose, we will stand by each other like that."

~unknown author

I think as humans, we get caught up in the rat race, the "need" for independence, success and wealth.... among other things. The drag and resistance of doing it alone has become the norm, and its forgotten the how to move forward in the thrust of the people with a common goal. The feeling is still sometimes found often families or a group of friends. But overall we have forgotten that we are all in this together. People who extend outside our friends and family. I will strive to be like the goose. Will you be like the goose?