What can we learn from the geese?

So often we look to the sky and see the geese flying about or migrating to some far away place. It is fascinating to watch their "V" formation. Scientists have studied this flying pattern and what they discovered is very interesting, and something that is applicable to all of us.

FACT: As each bird flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird immediately following. By flying in a "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 quicker and easier because they are traveling on the trust of one another.

FACT: Whenever 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 immediately in front.

There is strength, power and safety in numbers when traveling in the same direction with whom we share a common goal.

FACT: When the lead goose gets tired, he rotates back in the wing and another goose flies in front.

It pays to take turns doing hard jobs. Don't burn out doing all the hard work and don't burden others with so much that they will burn out.

FACT: The geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.

We all need to be remembered with active support, encouragement and praise.

FACT: When a goose gets sick or is wounded and falls out, two geese fall out of formation and follow him down to help and protect him. They stay with him until the crisis resolves, and then they launch out on their own or with another formation to catch up with their group.

We must stand by each other in times of need.


I am so glad that there are more Geese in life than turkeys. Let's remember to uphold each other in friendship and give each other a big "HONK" as often as possible!!

WHAT WILL MATTER ?

It just seems like not too long ago we were getting ready for Christmas and New Year festivities and here we are already end of January. Well, last year was just that, last year. I am glad it is behind us. A friend sent me this beautiful reminder and I thought I'd share with you. I don't know who the author is, but it sure is well worth sharing, I hope you will agree.



Ready or not, someday it will all come to an end. There will be no more sunrises, no minutes, no hours or days. All the things you collected, whether treasured or forgotten, will pass to someone else. Your wealth, fame and temporal power will shrivel to irrelevance.



It will not matter what you owned or what you were owed. Your grudges, resentments, frustrations and jealousies will finally disappear. So too, your hopes, ambitions, plans and to-do lists will expire.



The wins or losses that once seemed so important will fade away. It won't matter where you came from or what side of the tracks you lived on at the end.



It won't matter whether you were beautiful or brilliant. Even the gender and skin color will be irrelevant.



So WHAT will matter? How will the value of your days be measured?

• What will matter is not what you bought, but what you built


• What will matter is not what you got, but what you gave


• What will matter is not your success, but your significance


• What will matter is not what you learned, but what you taught


• What will matter is every act of integrity, compassion, courage or sacrifice that enriched , empowered or encouraged others to emulate your example


• What will matter is not your competence, but your character


• What will matter is not how many people you knew, but how many will feel a loss when you are gone


• What will matter is not your memories, but the memories that live in those who loved you


• What will matter is how long you will be remembered, by whom and for what

Living a life that matters doesn't happen by accident---It is not a matter of circumstance, but of choice.

Choose to live a life that matters!