Lessons From the Geese
by Milton Olson

1. As each goose flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird following. By flying in the V formation the whole flock adds 71% more flying range than if each bird flew alone.
LESSON: People who share a common direction & sense of community can get where they are going quicker & easier because they are traveling on the thrust of one another.

2. When the lead goose gets tired, it rotates back into the formation & another goose flies at the point position.
LESSON: It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks & sharing leadership with people, as with geese, interdependent with one another.

3. The geese in formation honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.
LESSON: We need to make sure our honking from behind is encouraging, not something less helpful.

4. When a goose gets sick or wounded or shot down, two geese drop out of formation & follow their fellow member of the flock until he is able to fly again or dies. Then they launch out on their own, with another formation or catch up with their own flock.
LESSON: If we have as much sense as the geese, we’ll stand by one another like they do.

Rejoice & Be Thankful For Those Around You!
Thank you God!

Rev. Dr. Rainbow Johnson
ADAAP Clergy Counselor