simple truths

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Goose Sense…

As spring continues to blossom the geese are flying back, laying their nests and leaving “evidence” of their arrival in our neighborhood these days. As they announce their return I always reflect fondly on one of my mom’s favorite life lessons. While simple yet quite profound, her story surfaces each spring as a reminder to tap into my inner goose-sense…

Everything in nature happens for a reason and scientists have discovered why geese fly in the “V” formation.  As each bird flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird immediately following.  By flying this way, the whole flock adds at least 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own.  Truth #1:  If we share a common direction and sense of community, we can get where we’re going quicker and easier because we travel on the power of one another. 

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.  Truth #2: It’s important to stay in formation with those who are headed in the same direction we are going. 

When the lead goose gets tired, he rotates back into the formation and another goose flies point.  Truth #3: It pays to take turns doing the hard work–with people or with geese flying. 

Geese honk from behind to encourage one another and the others up front to keep up their speed.  Truth #4: We need to be careful what we honk when we honk from behind! 🙂 

Finally, when a goose gets sick or wounded and falls out of formation, two geese fall out to follow her down to help and protect.  They stay with him until he is able to fly or goes to the great sky beyond, then they launch out on their own or with another formation to catch up to their group.  Final truth: If we have the sense of a goose, we will stand by each other no matter what. 

So here’s hoping these basic truths find encouraging ways to prevail in the coming days…HONK! 🙂

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Simple Truths Children Learn…

A most enlightening conversation took place this morning during walkabout when a group of learners stopped me for some input (mostly because they know I adore funny items). They found a witty piece entitled Simple Truths Children Learn with a list of ten things the children in this piece have learned about life. simple-truthsI was asked to read aloud in my best announcer voice:

10. The best place to be when you are sad is in Granny’s lap.
9. Don’t try to use the vacuum cleaner and the cat at the same time.
8. You can’t hide a piece of broccoli in a glass of milk.
7. Puppies still have bad breath even after eating a mint.
6. Absolutely don’t sneeze when someone is cutting your hair.
5. You can’t trust dogs to watch your food while you go to the bathroom.
4. Never ask your 2-year-old little brother to hold a tomato.
3. If your sister hits you, don’t hit her back. They always catch the second person.
2. When your mom is mad at your dad, don’t let her brush your hair.
and then…
1. No matter how hard you try, you just can’t baptize the cat.

After my oral reading ‘test’ (I passed), we giggled about these keen life observations. It truly opened the door to deep conversation about being observers in life–noticing those interesting little things popping into your world out of nowhere in particular.

Children say and do some of the funniest things! An acting friend of mine always notes, “Never take the stage with children or animals; you (and your character) will never have the lead.” In our work, we are certainly privileged to be a part of these observations and discussions on a daily basis; here’s hoping you take time to enJOY and appreciate some of the simple truths around you too!