Lessons From Geese
A few weeks ago, I agreed to lead a service of recovery that happens every Friday night in Memphis, Tennessee. It’s something that I never miss. Created and led by a reverend named John, this is the most awesome thing I’ve run across in recovery. We even have Grammy award-winning musicians play for us! It’s a big deal. Most often I leave with one thought: WOW! The message is in line with the 12 steps but blended in is great music, good food, artwork, a little prayer, a little silence and a huge presence of acceptance and belonging. John is a singer, songwriter, musician, theologian, reverend and much more. How could I ever fill his shoes? What had I gotten myself into? My first step was to tell all in attendance (approximately 170 people) that in no way could I fill John’s shoes. I cleverly acquired one of John’s shoes (size 13) and began my service by holding up his shoe beside my shoe (size 7.5) so everyone could clearly see. Earlier that week, I had run across the book LESSONS FROM THE GEESE by Dr. Robert McNeish. It seemed fitting, so I decided to share it that night. After all, our lead goose was gone, and I was the silly goose at the point position. We stayed in formation, and the rest of the flock lifted me up, stood by my side and encouraged me. FACT: As each bird flaps its wings, it creates an up-lift for the bird following it. 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 traveling on the thrust of one another. FACT: Whenever a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to fly alone. It quickly gets 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 will stay in formation with those who are headed where we want to go. FACT: When a goose gets tired, it rotates back into formation and another goose flies at the point position. LESSON: It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing leadership. People, as with geese, are interdependent with each other. FACT: 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, instead of criticism. FACT: When a goose gets sick, wounded or shot down, two geese drop out of formation to follow him down to help and protect him. They stay with him until he is either able to fly again or dies. They then launch out again and join another formation or catch up with their flock. LESSON: If we have as much sense as the geese, we will stand by each other. It’s a wonderful thing when what you have turns out to be exactly what you need.