Have you ever tried to honk like a goose? I have, often. Especially now in the fall as the “V’s” of Canada Geese fly overhead honking away as they vanish off into the horizon or slow down to land on the lake first thing in the morning. It’s quite amazing to watch, huge “V’s” of geese all in formation, honking away, none are colliding, you don’t see one veer off on their own tangent and they all gently settle with a delicious “splush” amongst the mist rising off the lake.
Mindst you, I have also wondered what noise a giraffe makes (as to be honest I have never heard one).
Why am I asking you about geese? Simple, they create velocity, encouragement and group energy for each other.
Think of an exercise or yoga class you have gone to. Whether you were the fittest or most flexible person there was irrelevant, you were surrounded by others all participating in the process and that energy encouraged you to push yourself a little harder and it felt so darn easy. Encouraging words, high fives, group energy and you were bolstered.
Have you ever participated in a Master Mind group for personal development or business growth? If not, I highly recommend you do as again, the support, encouragement and group energy propels you to move through your barriers and to step up and be the bigger and brighter you that you are.
So let’s get back to the geese, the lessons they teach and maybe you will understand.
4 Lessons from the Geese
(Originally written in 1972 by Dr. Robert McNeish, a teacher from Baltimore, MD. Christine Kane adaptation.)
# 1: As each goose flaps its wings, it creates”uplift” for the birds that follow. By flying in a “V” formation, the whole flock adds 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew alone.
Lesson: People who share a common direction and sense of community can manifest their dreams and goals easier and more quickly because they are traveling on the thrust of one another.
#2: When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of flying alone. It quickly moves back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front of it.
Lesson: If we follow our inner guidance, we stay in formation with those headed where we want to go. We are willing to accept their help and give our help to others.
#3: When the lead goose tires, it rotates back into the formation and another goose flies to the point position.
Lesson: You don’t always have to be the strong one. It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing encouragement. As with geese, people are interdependent on each other’s skills, capabilities and unique arrangements of gifts, talents or resources.
#4: The geese flying in formation honk to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.
Lesson: We need to make sure honking is encouraging. In groups where there is encouragement, the success is more profound. The power of encouragement (to stand by one’s intent and goals and encourage the intent and goals of others) is the quality of honking we seek.
So my advice – honk like a goose, connect with other likeminded people and spread your delicious wings and soar.
