Honk, honk – Lessons Learned from the Wild Geese

This past Sunday’s sermon, given by our brother Rev. Bruce Grodner, District Pastor at HSA-UWC,  left a deep impression on me.  Bruce talked a lot about team work, co-operation, caring for each other and being kind.  As an example he mentioned about migrating birds, especially wild geese which can travel whole continents by flying in the v-formation.

When we unite, we can achieve so much more than when we work alone.  By joining together we create a force for positive change, discover new territories, and can accomplish anything we set our minds on.  Working together gives a feeling of belonging; it makes us stronger, and helps us accomplish our human purpose.



I found a beautiful poem-like story, written by Dr. Harry Clarke Noyes in 1992 which describes their activities:
The Goose Story

Next
fall, when
you see Geese
heading South for
the Winter, flying along
in V formation, you might
consider what science has dis-
covered as to why they fly that way:
as each bird flaps its wings, it creates an
uplift for the bird immediately following. By
flying in V formation the whole flock adds at least
71% greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own.

People who share a common direction and sense of community
can get where they are going more quickly and easily
because they are traveling 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 of the bird in front.

If we have as much sense as a goose,
we will stay in formation
with those who are headed the same way we are.

When
the Head Goose
gets tired, it rotates back
in the wing and another goose flies point.

It is sensible to take turns doing demanding jobs
with people or with geese flying South.

Geese
honk from behind to
encourage those up front to keep up their speed.

What do we say when we honk from behind?

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 and follow it down to lend help and protection.
They stay with the fallen goose until it is able to fly, or until
it 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 A GOOSE,
WE WILL STAND BY EACH OTHER
LIKE THAT.

by Dr. Harry Clarke Noyes
ARCS NEWS, Vol. 7, No. 1, January 1992

To get a view of what Dr. Noyes is talking about you can watch a video:

We should learn from the wisdom of the flocks of wild geese. "Everyone works hard, all help, and encourage each other. Pull those who fall behind. If someone cannot climb up, help that person by becoming a base for him to step on. This is what it is like to go on the path to Heaven.”
Rev. Sun Myung Moon

Lessons learned from the Goose story:

They geese fly in the v-formation because it helps them conserve energy.  The formation reduces the wind resistance and gives each bird to take the lead (exerting the most energy).  It also helps with visual assurance (like keeping track of each bird), space orientation and communication.  Scientists have now discovered that single flying birds tire much faster.

And so it is with us humans, too.  We can accomplish so much more if we are willing to co-operate, encourage and share with each other.  A common goal can be reached much faster and with less effort by the individuals.

“People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going more quickly and easily because they are traveling on the thrust of one another.”

~ Dr. Harry Clark Noyce

Military adaptations of v-formation

Military flight formations are using the v-form in aerodynamics because they have discovered that the leading bird (plane) does not simply block the wind for the following birds. The wings of the birds create wing-tip vortices which create a wind called upwash for the following birds.  Scientist Cutts and Speakman have written extensively about it.

“I offer you peace. I offer you love. I offer you friendship. I see your beauty. I hear your need. I feel your feelings. My wisdom flows from the Highest Source. I salute that Source in you. Let us work together for unity and love.”

~Mahatma Gandhi

When we unite, we can achieve so much more that when we work alone.  By joining together we create a force for positive change, discover new territories, and can accomplish anything we set our minds on.  Working together gives a feeling of belonging; it makes us stronger, and helps us accomplish our human purpose.