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A gaggle of geese or a flock? Which is the right term to refer to this collection of birds? Does it matter anyways I wonder?!

Whenever I cycle along the river or just walk by it is so amazing to see them all come together and co-existing in the same space of water. Of course, they would float close to the shores in the hopes of a handout of bread, or any other little treat the human may be sharing with them.

I also love to see one of these majestic birds land on the water whether ducks or swans, they are fabulous in their gliding and settling in the stream.

When I went through the folders this was the one image that felt most appropriate today. As I am writing this entry I am not yet sure how this may link up with our own existence as humans, but then again I guess for us it has always been safety in numbers. Since day dot, back in ancient times being part of a tribe meant survival, being alone meant you became food. Standing out of the crowd would mean a potential death to the tribe, or so it seemed. Being different, with new ideas meant that you could potentially put everyone in danger. Any new idea was potentially frightening, in case the tribe left the lace of the familiar, and yet it is through new ideas that we have managed to conquer the planet and adapt and survive, and thrive. So actually as a species we also huddled up in groups for safety, and just like birds, with just one sound we could let each other know danger was approaching and therefore we could defend ourselves. And of course as modern humans we appear to be carrying on the same traditions. Of being frightened to stand out and perhaps sometimes we get penalised for standing out and trying to set off on our own. Which of course is ironic, because when we grow up we are constantly told to be ourselves and stand our ground as individuals, but when we try to assert our individuality, we are being told that is the wrong way we are trying to assert it. How often have you been told one thing as a child then the next minute been told something completely the opposite, just to be left confused and frustrated you just can’t get things right? How often in your adult world, perhaps you were told by your manager if you have an idea to speak up, but then if you did and it outsmarted your boss, you were told to go back to your place and forget about it? How often did you repressed your own view points in a group, just to be accepted, and not to stand out? How many times have you overridden you r intuition in order to belong?

Are you part of the gaggle? Are you a goose? Are you part of the flock? Are you the head bird, leading the others to warmer climates? Are you the 3rdbird, or are you the last one in the configuration, the one that makes sure nobody else flies slower than anyone else, and therefore keeps the flock together? Which is the best position to be?

Have you ever researched to understand how a flock migrates, and the roles of each bird in the configuration? Perhaps it is time to learn something from them, perhaps where you are in the order does not matter, because you are an integral part of the unit?

As always join in the conversation in a comment, or journal your thoughts. We are ready to evolve, join us on the journey of discovery.