On this beautiful fall day as the puppy and I were walking to the farmers market and we saw a flock of geese fly very low over us. I was reminded of a skit I always did with in worship each fall; a lesson from geese. The congregation got to play a flock of geese flying south for the winter. There was lots of fun a flapping of arms and honking at odd times. What struck me this morning was that we need the lessons more this year and so I will share with you the musings of a geese lover Angeles Arrien who gave this as a part of a speech at the 1991 Organizational Development Network. It is based on the work of Milton Olson.

Fact 1: As each goose flap its wings it creates an “uplift” for the birds that follow. By flying in a “V” formation, the whole flock adds 71% greater range than if each bird flew alone. Lesson: People who share a common sense of direction and community can get where they are going quicker and easier because they are traveling on the thrust of one another.

Fact 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 have as much sense as a goose 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.

Fact 3: When the lead goose tires, it rotates back into the formation and another goose flies to the point position. Lesson: It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing leadership, as with geese, people are interdependent on each other’s skill, capabilities and unique arrangement of gifts, talents or resources.

Fact 4: The gees flying in formation honk to encourage those up front to keep up their speed. Lesson: We need to make sure our honking is encouraging. In groups where there is encouragement, the productivity is much greater. The power of encouragement (to stand by one’s heart or core values and encourage the heart and core of others) is the quality of honking we seek.

Fact 5: When a goose gets sick, wounded or shot down, two geese drop out of formation and follow it down to help and protect it. They stay until it dies or can fly again. Then they launch out with another formation or catch up with the flock. Lesson: If we have as much sense as geese, we will stand by each other in difficult times as well as when we are strong.

The next time you hear geese I hope you have a chance to stop and marvel at their beauty, I know I feel the warmth  of my congregation and my co-workers here as I hear the honks and see the wonder  of flight of so marvelous a bird.