The time of the lone wolf is over, gather your pack and create your community. You will need the power of your tribe. Perhaps you have felt alone, perhaps you have chosen to go it alone.  There is a lot to be gained and much to be learned by those times, and you will revisit them as needed along the way.  In fact complete silence is necessary at times.

 But your challenge now is to find your community, who will take this journey with you?  Who is ready?  Who is asking?  None of us can truly gain enlightenment or evolve without all of us.  Find your tribe, there is great power in walking the path with those who are moving in the same direction.  Here is where we begin to learn from the animals, our first teachers and guides upon the earth.The complex social structures that exists in the majority of our present day human communities can, for some, make them a challenging, often confusing place to reside.

Being raised in a system that requires emphasis on cultural customs and social protocol as a means of acceptance has bred incongruence in modern day communities.  This leads to confusion, anxiety and vulnerability overload as people politely mask how they are truly feeling, to avoid causing discomfort to others, and to fit in.The problem is this form of polite society actually causes much discomfort as authentic feelings flood the energy field exposing the truth behind these exhaustingly maintained facades. It’s no wonder so many of us became lone wolves to survive!

Herd animals are experts at the skills it takes to get along together especially when it’s needed the most.   Horses demonstrate the value of sticking together regardless of personal differences. Horses clearly do not get along with all of their herd members all of the time; however in times of threat, exploration, and curiosity, all herd members know to quickly gather together for a united cause.The Horse wisdom around living together as a herd is so successful because the interactions between them are very authentic.  They do not experience shame the way we sometimes do regarding differences of opinion, differing desires, mistakes; or if they behave in a way that is not acceptable by some other Herd member.  However they absolutely learn from experience and recognize that actions have consequences as a direct result.  This likely makes certain behaviors less attractive to engage in than others (depending on the benefit/risk ratio).  They do not judge themselves as bad horses, just that some activities result in unwanted outcomes, which makes it undesirable to repeat that action in the future.

We can learn much from the herds, schools, swarms and flocks that inhabit our beautiful planet.Listen to the wisdom of the geese who migrate across great distances.  They do not go alone. The author of this little essay is unknown.

 In the fall, when you see the Geese heading south for the winter, flying in V formation, you might consider what science has discovered about why they fly that way.  As each bird flaps its wings, it creates uplift for the bird immediately following.  By flying in V formation, the whole flock adds at least 70 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 travel with those who are headed the same way we are.

When the head Goose gets tired it rotates back in the wing and another goose takes the lead.  Isn’t it more sensible to take turns doing demanding jobs and trade leadership with the person most capable in the moment?Geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.  What do you say when you honk from behind?

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 flock.We must learn from the geese and stand by each other like that.

Till next time,

Carol Roush