Quotes and thoughts to Ponder contributed by Rachaelle Schlosser
"Take warning from the misfortunes of others, so that others need not have to take warning from your own." Saadi, Rose Garden 13th century"Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask believe that you have received them and you will receive them. " Mark 11:24
"Never limit your view of life by any past experience." Ernest Holmes, The Science of Mind
"Try working with this affirmation; repeat it several times today: 'I courageously walk in the truth of my real self, no matter how wonderful it is." Mary Manin Morrissey
"We either make ourselves miserable, or we make ourselves strong. The amount of work is the same." Carlos Castaneda
"Unless we change our direction, we are likely to end up where we are headed." Old Chinese Proverb
Lessons From Geese
(Transcribed from a speech given by Angeles Arrien at the 1991
Organizational Development Network, based on the work of Milton Olson.)
"Fact 1: As each goose flaps its wings, it creates an “uplift” for the
birds that follow. By flying in “V” formation, the whole flock adds 71%
greater flying range than if each bird flew alone.
Lesson: 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.
Fact 2: When a goose falls out of formation it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of
flying alone. It quickly moves back into formation to take advantage of the lifting
power of the bird immediately in front of it.
Lesson: If we have as much sense as a goose, we stay in formation with those headed where
we want to go. We are willing to accept their help, and give our help to others.
Fact 3: When the lead goose tires, it rotates back into the formation and another goose
flies into the point position.
Lesson: It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing leadership. As with
geese, people are interdependent on each other’s skills, capabilities and unique
arrangements of gifts, talents or resources.
Fact 4: The geese flying in formation honk to encourage those in front to keep up their
speed.
Lesson: We need to make sure our honking is encouraging. In groups where there is
encouragement the production is greater. The power of encouragement (to stand by one’s
heart or core values and encourage the heart and core of others) is the quality of honking
we seek.
Fact 5: When a goose gets sick, wounded or shot down, two geese drop out of formation and
follow it down to help or protect it. They stay with it until it dies or is able to
fly again. They they launch out with another formation or catch up with the flock.
Lesson: If we have as much sense as geese, we will stand by each other in difficult times
as well as when we are strong."
Angeles Arrien is the author of The Four-Fold Way: Walking the Paths of
the Warrier, Teacher, Healer, and Visionary (HarperSanFrancisco) and
Signs of Life: The Five Universal Shapes and How to Use Them (Arcus
Publishing).
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