Next fall, when you see geese heading south for the winter, flying along in “V” formation, you might consider what science has discovered as to why whey they fly that way. As each bird flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird immediately following. By flying in “V” formation, the whole flock adds at least 72 percent greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own.
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.
When 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 in front.
If we have as much sense as a goose, we will stay in formation with those people who are headed the same way we are.
When the head goose gets tired, it rotates back in the wing and another goose flies point.
It is sensible to take turns doing demanding jobs, whether with people or with geese flying south.
Geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.
Finally-and this is important-when a goose gets sick or is wounded and falls out of formation, two other geese fall out with that goose and follow it down to lend help and protection. They stay with the fallen goose until it is able to fly or until it dies; and only then do they launch out on their own, or with another formation to catch up with their group.
If we have the sense of a goose, we will stand by each other like that.
Sometimes, taking the scenic route can be the best decision you ever make. Sure, it may take a bit longer, but the views and experiences you’ll have along the way are worth it.
When we’re in a rush, it’s easy to take the most direct and quickest route to our destination. But if we take a step back and look around, we may find that there are hidden gems and beautiful sights we would have missed if we hadn’t taken the scenic route.
There’s something magical about driving along a winding road, surrounded by mountains, forests, or fields. The fresh air, the sounds of nature, and the peacefulness of the journey can be incredibly refreshing and rejuvenating.
The scenic route is also an opportunity to explore new places and discover hidden treasures. You may stumble upon a quaint little town with a charming main street or a roadside diner with the best pie you’ve ever tasted. These are the kinds of experiences that make memories that last a lifetime.
And let’s not forget about the benefits to our mental health. Taking the scenic route allows us to slow down, breathe deeply, and appreciate the beauty around us. It’s a chance to unplug from our busy lives, even if just for a little while, and to reconnect with ourselves and our surroundings.
So, next time you’re on a road trip or simply running errands around town, consider taking the scenic route. You never know what kind of adventure and beauty awaits you.
We often learn valuable lessons that shape us into the person we become. One such lesson is the realization that, as we grow older, we tend to become quieter and more introspective. This is because life humbles us deeply and we begin to recognize the value of time and the preciousness of the moments we have.
As we age, we begin to realize how much time we have wasted on meaningless pursuits and how little we have truly appreciated the people and experiences that have shaped us. We begin to recognize the importance of living in the present and cherishing every moment we have because we know that time is fleeting and that we can never get it back.
This realization often leads to a sense of quietude, as we become more contemplative and introspective. We spend less time talking and more time listening, seeking to understand the world around us and our place in it. We become more patient and understanding, recognizing the complexity and beauty of the human experience.
The older we get, the more we realize how much nonsense we have wasted time on. But this realization is not a cause for despair or regret; rather, it is a source of wisdom and growth. It teaches us to live with intention, cherish the moments we have, and appreciate the people and experiences that make life worth living.
So if you find yourself becoming quieter and more introspective as you age, embrace it. Recognize the value of the lessons you have learned and the wisdom you have gained. And above all, cherish the moments you have, because they are the most precious gifts life has to offer.
Many people equate progress with big, bold leaps forward. While these can be exhilarating and impactful, the reality is that progress is often made through a series of small, deliberate steps. This is why forward is not just a direction, it’s a pace that can be achieved even with small steps.
Taking small steps towards a goal may not seem like much, but over time, they can add up to significant progress. For example, if you’re trying to learn a new language, studying for just 10 minutes a day may not seem like much, but over the course of a year, that’s over 60 hours of study time.
Additionally, taking small steps can help us overcome the fear of failure or the feeling of being overwhelmed. When we break down our goals into manageable pieces, we feel more in control and confident in our ability to succeed.
As famous author and motivational speaker Zig Ziglar once said, “You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.” This quote perfectly encapsulates the idea that progress is not about achieving perfection, but rather about taking action and moving forward, even if it’s with small steps.
It’s important to note that moving forward at a slow pace does not mean we should be complacent or lack ambition. Rather, it means that we should be intentional with our actions and celebrate the small victories along the way.
Forward is not just a direction, it’s a pace that can be achieved even with small steps. By taking intentional, deliberate actions toward our goals, we can make progress and achieve success over time. So, let’s take that first step forward, no matter how small it may be, and keep moving forward toward our dreams.
Theodore Roosevelt once said, “Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” This simple but powerful quote is a reminder that having confidence in yourself is key to achieving your goals. Some ways to apply this quote to your life and stay motivated and positive.
Set a goal and believe in yourself: Whether it’s starting a new business, running a marathon, or learning a new skill, set a goal and believe that you can achieve it. Visualize yourself succeeding and focus on the steps you need to take to get there.
Surround yourself with positive people: Surrounding yourself with people who support and encourage you can be a great way to stay motivated and positive. Seek out friends, family members, or mentors who believe in you and your abilities.
Practice positive self-talk: The way we talk to ourselves can have a big impact on our confidence and motivation. Instead of focusing on negative self-talk, try to practice positive affirmations and self-talk. Remind yourself that you are capable, worthy, and deserving of success.
Take action: Believing in yourself is important, but it’s also important to take action towards your goals. Break your goals down into smaller, more manageable steps and take action each day towards achieving them.
Celebrate your successes: When you achieve a goal or make progress towards it, take the time to celebrate your successes. Recognize your hard work and efforts, and use that positive energy to keep moving forward.
Theodore Roosevelt’s quote “Believe you can and you’re halfway there” is a powerful reminder that confidence and self-belief are essential to achieving your goals. By setting a goal, surrounding yourself with positive people, practicing positive self-talk, taking action, and celebrating your successes, you can stay motivated, positive, and on track to achieving your dreams.
In life, we often face difficult decisions and challenging situations that require us to take risks. Whether it’s starting a new business, pursuing a new career path, or trying something new, taking risks can be scary. However, as Michael Jordan once said, “I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying.”
The greatest risk in life is not taking one. When we don’t take risks, we limit ourselves and miss out on potential opportunities for growth, learning, and success. Here are some lessons we can learn from Michael Jordan about taking risks:
“I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game-winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”
Michael Jordan’s success was not built on a perfect record, but rather on the many times he failed and the risks he took. By taking risks and pushing himself beyond his comfort zone, he was able to develop the skills and resilience necessary to become one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
“If you’re trying to achieve, there will be roadblocks. I’ve had them; everybody has had them. But obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.”
Taking risks can be challenging, and there will undoubtedly be obstacles and setbacks along the way. However, as Michael Jordan suggests, we shouldn’t let these roadblocks stop us from pursuing our goals. Instead, we should view them as opportunities to learn, grow, and find new ways to overcome challenges.
Taking risks is an essential part of life, and the greatest risk we can take is not taking one at all. By following in the footsteps of Michael Jordan and embracing failure and obstacles, we can learn and grow from our experiences and achieve great things. So, the next time you’re faced with a decision that requires you to take a risk, remember these words of wisdom from Michael Jordan and take the leap.
“Resilience and resourcefulness”: This saying emphasizes the importance of being able to bounce back from setbacks and adapt to changing circumstances. Being resilient means that you can withstand challenges and keep going, while being resourceful means that you can find creative solutions to problems.
Resilience and resourcefulness are two qualities that are essential for navigating the challenges and uncertainties of life. Resilience is the ability to bounce back from adversity, while resourcefulness is the ability to find creative solutions to problems. Together, these qualities can help us overcome obstacles and thrive in the face of adversity.
Resilience is not about never experiencing difficulties, but about being able to recover from them. It involves being able to adapt to new situations, cope with stress, and maintain a positive outlook in the face of challenges. Resilience also involves being able to learn from our mistakes and failures and to use those experiences to grow and become stronger.
Resourcefulness, on the other hand, is about being able to find creative solutions to problems. It involves being able to think outside the box, be flexible, and use the resources available to us in new and innovative ways. Resourcefulness allows us to overcome obstacles and achieve our goals, even when the odds are against us.
When we combine resilience and resourcefulness, we become better equipped to handle the ups and downs of life. We are able to bounce back from setbacks and find new ways to move forward. We are also able to find solutions to problems that might seem insurmountable and to turn challenges into opportunities.
In our own lives, we can cultivate resilience and resourcefulness by embracing challenges and setbacks as opportunities for growth, and by being creative and resourceful in finding solutions to problems. We can also seek out role models who embody these qualities and learn from their examples. By combining resilience and resourcefulness, we can navigate the challenges of life with confidence and courage, and achieve our goals despite the obstacles in our path.
Terry McDaniel 