Several years ago I read an article titled "Lessons we can learn from geese." The original source is attributed to Milton Olson and I know these are lessons worth sharing.

Fact No. 1. As each bird flaps its wings, it creates uplift for the bird following. By flying in a V formation, the whole flock adds 71 percent greater flying range than if one bird flew alone.

    Lesson No. 1. People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they're going more quickly and easily because they’re traveling on the strength of one another.

Fact No. 2. 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.

    Lesson No. 2. If we have as much sense as geese, we will stay in formation with those who are ahead of where we want to go and be willing to accept their help as well as give ours to others.

Fact No. 3. When the lead goose gets tired, it rotates back into the formation and an-other goose flies at the point position.

    Lesson No. 3. It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing leadership.

Fact No. 4. The geese in formation honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.

    Lesson No. 4. We need to make sure our honking from behind is encouraging, and not something else.

Fact No. 5. When a goose gets sick or wounded, two geese drop out of formation and follow it down to help and protect it. They stay with it until it is able to fly againor dies. Then they launch out on their own, with another formation, or they catch up with their flock.

    Lesson No. 5. If we have as much sense as geese, we, too, will stand by each other in difficult times as well as when we are strong.

The wisdom of nature, coupled with the knowledge that one learns from personal experiences, is like a schoolhouse full of lesson plans. This sense of discovery has inspired me to paint the essence of the natural world with a camera.