One Hand Washes The Other…

April 3, 2012

My many failed efforts to connect with other “seasoned/influential” bloggers that I truly admire has made me think of an amazing lesson that I learned years ago about geese {yep! Animals are best at teaching us some great lessons if we’re humble enough to allow ourselves to be taught by them.}

I know I’m a “newbie” and an unrecognized one at that, by most influentials in the business… which is fine, as I started blogging only because I was temporarily relocated out of NY for my husband’s business and needed an outlet for my inspirations. So to pass time and also to keep my sanity, someone suggested to me to blog about my thoughts and ideas to help me deal with my unbearable homesickness… I reluctantly tried it out, and now, here I am blogging almost all the time.

In the interim, I have discovered many other inspirational blogs, and genuinely wanted to connect with those I admire, but I have been ignored. I have to say, I’m kind of shocked by that because I would think bloggers that have things in common would want to form strong intergenerational and community ties with each other {including even the newbies… sort of like mentoring}. Nevertherless, I still follow their posts and work because I know what you admire can become a part of you.

I mean, granted, I realize that a lot of them probably get bombarded with a slew of emails filled with ambiguous questions from their fans and might be too busy to respond, but a quick line just to say: “hey, thanks for emailing… here’s where your questions might be best answered… or no, I don’t know… or a good’ol thank you for checking out my blog/comment…” would be gracious and kind.

*** Lessons From Geese ***

This fall, when you see geese heading south for the Winter flying in “V” formation, you might consider what science has discovered as to why they fly that way.

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 has at least 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew along.

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: When a goose flies out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to do it alone. It quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird in front of it.

Lesson: It’s harder to do something alone than together.

Fact: When the lead goose gets tired, it rotates back into formation and another goose flies at the head.

Lesson: Shared leadership and interdependence give us each a chance to lead as well as an opportunity to rest.

Fact: The geese flying in the rear of the formation honk to encourage those up front to keep us their speed.

Lesson: Encouragement is motivating. We need to make sure our “HONKING” is encouraging… and not discouraging.

Fact: When a goose gets sick our wounded and falls, two other geese fall out and stay with it until it revives or dies. Then they catch up or join another flock.

Lesson: We may all need help from time to time. If we have the sense of a goose, we will stand by our colleagues in difficult times.