A Good Goose Goes A Long Way!

It is amazing the things we can learn from nature.  Every day we see the ants working for the Winter, dogs are protecting their territory with a combination of pee and growls and people are trying to dominate whatever area they may happen to occupy at the time.  Grocery store aisles, freeway lanes, your position in the "butt-kissing" line at work or school are the typical battle grounds.  We as humans are obsessed with getting the best position at almost any cost except sacrifice for another person's benefit.  "The meek shall inherit the world"..."the first shall be last and the last shall be first".  How do we miss that?  It is difficult to explain, and it is certainly not preaching, because I am the worst example of someone who has tried to be last for the benefit of another, but while we have spent our lives trying to be lions and tigers and bears, we seem to miss the example set by geese.


You never hear about a horrifying goose attack when a camper stumbled into its territory.  No one warns about the dangers of feeding a goose and losing an arm.  There are no great videos of goose attacks, or fights between geese and another predator.  We simply know the goose for its migration every year (and how they taste), but mostly the migration.  Amazingly, and this is not new information, the geese make a tremendous journey each Winter to the same location, as a group and return, as a group, home in the Spring.  Certainly, the goose is not a dominant animal in the grand scope of the animal kingdom, but that magnifies what this posting is all about...we can reach our goals without being the toughest, or strongest if we are willing to work with those around us.  If we look for the value and strength in each other there is a much great percentage of success than if we go it alone.


We are aware of the system geese use to fly long distances as a group, cycling the leader from the rear of the group, one goose at a time.  I doubt anyone speaks the language, but you have to believe as each goose moves closer to the front, a chorus of encouragement is coming from behind. (maybe the origin of the phrase "giving someone a goose to get them going")  In addition, those leaders returning to the back of the group are certainly receiving praise on a job well done leading the team.  There is no sacrifice of importance, no loss of self-worth, simply an understanding that each member of the team provides value at the time they are called to lead and the rest of the team supports, encourages and follows as they will expect to be followed.


Please understand, I am aware that geese are not always the friendliest animals.  I have been chased around a yard by a rather irritated goose and there was no "teamwork" in his eyes, only anger.  That is a normal reaction to someone protecting the team and insuring everyone is going to make the next journey.  There is room for a protective nature within a team, but that is different than an aggressive pursuit of domination.  Protecting the team is sacrifice, even in the example of my pursuer, the entire team did not chase me, just one.  While not an intimidating adversary at 5 years old, I was still larger than the goose.  He was prepared to defend the team for as long as it took with whatever consequences were coming.  Whether it was his turn to move up front for defense, or there is some other "code" for geese on the ground, I do not know.  What I do know, is you rarely see one human do that for another.


We see glimpses when the merge lane moves smoothly during rush hour, or we see the acts of heroism in a soldier, teacher or even the child that shares so another child is not left out.  While there is a "killer" instinct in all of us, there is also a sense of honor and teamwork.  We have developed the "all for me" side over the past twenty years, and like the athlete that over-trains on the weights, but never works the cardio, we will find that without a strong heart, we cannot accomplish our goals.


The next time you find yourself in the position of moving someone to the front, no matter how insignificant you may think the opportunity is, give them a "goose" and see how excited they become and watch for the response when they get the opportunity to move someone else to the front.  A quick warning...if you are moving someone up for your own gain, you may be disappointed if they don't reciprocate for you specifically.  Remember, the geese travel in large groups and everyone takes a turn.  The support of the group is the strength of the leader, so whether you are up front, or cheering from the rear, your value is priceless.