Geese and Community

Have you ever looked up to the sky and saw a flock of geese flying in a V-formation and wondered why they do that? Yeah, me too.

By flying in a V-formation the whole flock adds 71% more flying range than if each bird flew alone. 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. Whenever a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to fly alone, and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front. If we have as much sense as a goose, we will stay in formation with those who are headed where we want to go. The geese in formation honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed. We need to make sure our honking from behind is encouraging and not something less helpful. When a goose gets sick or wounded, two geese drop out of formation and follow him down to help and protect him. They stay with him until he is able to fly again. Then they launch out on their own with another formation or to catch up with their flock. If we have as much sense as the geese, we’ll stand by each other like that.

By Milton Olson

This is community and this is why A Haven exists; to provide a place for families to come to together meet each other where they are at. To provide a listening ear, not to fix anything but to just be there with an encouraging presence.

Thank you for reaching out.

- Michelle & Liz