When you see geese heading north 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 flap’s it’s wings, it creates an uplift for the bird immediately following. By flying in a “V” formation the whole flock adds 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew alone. Geese that share a common direction and Sense of Community can get to where they are going more quickly and easily because they are travelling 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”. If we have as much sense as a goose, we will stay in formation with those heading in the same direction as we are (and be willing to accept their help as well as giving ours to others). When he lead goose gets tired, it rotates back into formation and another goose flies point. It is sensible to take doing demanding tasks. With people as with geese, we are interdependent on each other.

Geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed. We need to make sure that our honking from behind is encouraging (and not something else).

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 to follow it down to lend help and protection. They stay with that fallen goose until it is again able to fly again or dies. 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 geese we will stand by each other, in difficult times as when we are strong'.