Reading your post it occurred to me that of course the same applies in other areas of life, such as getting out of a relationship. I am wondering whether we use this myth of indispensability to cover up some real fear within us - perhaps the fear of uncertainty. If I leave, what next...? Who will I be then?
I remember a school assembly that I heard (as a member of staff) about geese. I can't vouch for its ornithological accuracy but the message about leadership was clear and memorable.
There's a pattern by which the leader of the characteristic V-formation in which geese fly falls back to a supporting role after a certain length of time. The uplift of the wingbeats of the other birds in the V supports the leader, creating the capacity for navigation or horizon scanning, but there comes a time when that role has to be handed on - presumably before tiredness sets in and fatal mistakes set in.
Who knows how the geese know when that time has arrived, or whether it's the lead goose or the follower geese who make the decision...but there's a wisdom hardwired into their instincts that has plenty to teach us.
Interestingly something similar happens in Franciscan monastic communities. The Father Abbot can only serve for 5 years and then must return to the 'rank and file' of the other brothers - to avoid damage to his soul. Food for thought!
Patrick. Thank you for this. I've been called many things before, but never a goose or an abbot, but I take the compliment! Damage to his soul indeed...
Reading your post it occurred to me that of course the same applies in other areas of life, such as getting out of a relationship. I am wondering whether we use this myth of indispensability to cover up some real fear within us - perhaps the fear of uncertainty. If I leave, what next...? Who will I be then?
Very interesting - thank you for your comment.
I remember a school assembly that I heard (as a member of staff) about geese. I can't vouch for its ornithological accuracy but the message about leadership was clear and memorable.
There's a pattern by which the leader of the characteristic V-formation in which geese fly falls back to a supporting role after a certain length of time. The uplift of the wingbeats of the other birds in the V supports the leader, creating the capacity for navigation or horizon scanning, but there comes a time when that role has to be handed on - presumably before tiredness sets in and fatal mistakes set in.
Who knows how the geese know when that time has arrived, or whether it's the lead goose or the follower geese who make the decision...but there's a wisdom hardwired into their instincts that has plenty to teach us.
Interestingly something similar happens in Franciscan monastic communities. The Father Abbot can only serve for 5 years and then must return to the 'rank and file' of the other brothers - to avoid damage to his soul. Food for thought!
Patrick. Thank you for this. I've been called many things before, but never a goose or an abbot, but I take the compliment! Damage to his soul indeed...