Next fall when you see geese heading south for the winter… 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% 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 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…with people or with geese flying south.
Geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their
speed. What do we say when we honk from behind?
Finally…and this is important…when a goose gets sick or is
wounded by gunshots, 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.
Leave a Reply