Encouraging Honks

from flickr

You know when something keeps reappearing in your life, over and over, so that you really can't ignore it? That's how I feel about the geese last week.

The other day I got an email about geese from someone who found my blog through Viv's co-pea, Moriah (thanks, Kathie!).

Our friends, Victoria, Justin and their daughter Moriah are enduring such trials right now. Moriah has been in the hospital for close to a year and continues to battle infections and medical setbacks - all the while demonstrating fierce resilience, joy and love. That sweet girl is a fighter. Her amazing parents advocate tirelessly, keeping faith and hope as they walk this road most of us can't even begin to understand.

I learned that geese intuitively move through life in a way that supports and encourages. They share responsibility, have a strong sense of community, offer and accept help, and honk in encouragement as they fly through the air.

If you have a moment, please honk in encouragement for our friends Moriah, Victoria and Justin.

*This is what Kathie emailed me about Canadian Geese:

1.As each goose flaps its wings, it creates “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 quicker and easier because they are traveling on the thrust of one another.

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.

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.

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 others) is the quality of honking we seek.

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.