In Scotland we have many wild geese who annually make the long journey to the Arctic. Their V formation is a familiar sight at certain times of year. When we look at the wild goose and how it co-operates to achieve a common goal we can take lessons in our own life - lessons which you may have learned during your camp in Scotland.
FACT 1: As each Goose flaps its wings it creates an "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 get where they are going more quickly and easily because they are travelling 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 skills, capabilities and unique arrangements of gifts, talents or resources.
FACT 4: The Geese 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 production is much greater. The power of encouragement (to stand by one's heart or core values and encourage the heart and core of other) 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 with it until it dies or is able to 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.
Think back over your camp in Scotland and you will see that you used all the above and when you did you succeeded beyond your expectations. So remember the lessons of the wild goose!
(I read the above on the World Wide Web but the author is unknown )
"Scouting together in Europe"
