Our Grand Line Officers Blog

Sis. Janice E. Justice, Grand Associate Matron

District No. 5
Aaron Chapter No. 8
Motto: "This too Shall Pass"
Scripture: "Praise the LORD, Praise the name of the LORD, give praise, O servants of the LORD." Psalm 135:1

"Focus on Leadership, Togetherness, Sharing and Caring"

Let’s talk about something that can only lead to a more harmonious and cohesive Order. We need to focus on leadership, togetherness, sharing and caring.

We can learn from the silly ole geese! First the whole flock (flapping together) adds greater flying range than any one bird flying alone. Whenever a goose falls out of formation, it (the lone flyer) suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to fly all alone. He quickly gets back into the V formation, to take advantage of the lifting power from the entire flock.

You know all that honking you hear when the geese are flying over ahead? Well, the honking is sounds of encouragement to the lead bird to keep up the speed.

"It’s about rotation; that is, change in leadership"

I like this one! It’s about rotation; that is, change in leadership. When the lead goose (the point bird) gets tired, (for the good of the flock) he willingly rotates back into the V formation, relinquishing the lead position. He accepts it is time for change.

Finally, when a goose gets sick or is wounded by hunters, two geese drop out of formation and follows the disabled bird down to the ground to help or protect it. They stay with the bird until it recovers or dies.

If we were like the silly ole geese, we could achieve our common goal by flapping our wings in unison to get where we are going: by sharing a sense of commitment using the thrust (abilities and contributions) of our other sisters and brothers.

If we were like the silly ole geese, we would stay in formation with those headed in the direction we want to go. We should be willing to accept one another’s help and be willing to help others rather than trying fly on our own.

If we were like the silly ole geese, when the time came, we would willingly rotate the leadership position. We all get tired, burned out and we stuck in a rut. Change is good! We need to accept and support the change. If we were like the silly ole geese, we would make sure the honking sounds we make are sounds of encouragement, not sounds of discouragement, criticism and vindictiveness. Let go of all the accumulated negativity, hurt and frustration encountered because you no longer are the lead bird or just because you don’t like the new lead bird. Negative energy drains.

If we were like the silly ole geese, we will stand by each other when things get rough. Let’s not be the hunter, but the guardian angel – lending a helping hand. We should stand beside each other in difficult times, in times of pain, in times of sorrow, as well as, in times when all is well. Recognize when a brother or sister is in need of assistance and assist!

Maybe, we should be more like those silly ole geese working together, willingly accepting change, encouraging one another, assisting those in need and embracing change in leadership. Executing these geese like qualities will lead to a more harmonious and cohesive order