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THE GEESE ARE BACK

Sootie
Member
11 13 80

While working outside in the yard today....I saw the geese RETURNING from the South.......WINTER is unofficially over.

And I thought of this blog post that I pull out every once in awhile.......We've had lots of discussions lately about our gaggle of geese here at EX and our different roles of support. We are the V formation......we are the team. Each of us plays a role....sometimes different roles during our time here. I hope you "see" yourself in this blog----- whether honking from behind, leading the way, staying with an injured member or re-joining the flock....................

When you see geese flying South for the Winter…know that you are watching an incredible feat of teamwork, support, and power.

  

The V formation used by geese provides "uplift" for each goose from the goose flying in front of it.....in this way the flight is 71% more efficient than if the goose flew alone. Isn't this true of us here? Each of us who have gone ahead provide "uplift" for those coming up behind us. I don't know our percentages, but I know that I was much more successful quitting because of the "uplift" I got on this site.

  

 When a goose falls out of formation, it quickly feels the drag and resistance from not having the help from the others. So many of us know that feeling....especially in the beginning. It is hard to leave the site for even a day because we need the others on here to help us. Those of us who have longer quits now need the site because of the friendships we've made. The drag and resistance on our lives without these friendships make us hurry back to the site.  

 

When the lead goose becomes tired, he falls back in the formation and another takes its place. I think we've all seen that no one person can always take the lead here on EX. It becomes a burden and tires that person to a point of losing focus. Someone must step up and take the lead so that others may rest.  

 

All of the geese honk to provide support and encouragement to the goose in front of them. Here we all are "honking" to each other in order to provide encouragement...to say----I am still here!...are you?....keep going!.....stay strong!  

 

When one goose is injured or wounded and falls to the ground, two others land with it and stay with it until it is ready to fly again or until it dies. You have only to go to look at the blogs about those who have suddenly "fallen to the ground." Not only two but many EXes will daily check on the person through blogs, emails and messages---- asking and encouraging the person to return---until all hope is gone that they will return.  

 

The lessons of the geese are the lessons of synergy.......the concept that when we all work together the end result is greater than if each of us acts independently.  

 

Thank you for your "uplift"------it has been my honor to fly with you.  

 

   
  
     
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About the Author
I quit smoking in 2009 after years and years of addiction. I just became sick and tired of the whole smoking thing. This site was a lifesaver with the support I received...so as you can see, I hung around to help others. I became friends with many people....some are here now and some are gone. Welcome to anyone who is new....this is EX....we are all here for each other.