what the geese have been saying

There is a lake near where I live and I think the geese there talk to me.  It’s true. I go there, usually when I don’t know what is next. Every time I am there I circle around and wait for a sign. They always show me what to do. Sometimes there will be massive geese crossing telling me to slow down or they fly across the rising sun to call out that the morning is good and everything will be ok. To be truthful, I never listened to birds or the geese until the pandemic.

I came across an article in NYTIMES in December and it’s been sitting with me. It said we are in a mental health crisis and that our therapists are overwhelmed and can’t even get to the people they need to.

We have updated and adjusted to become more tech & ZOOM savvy as we have automated the distance between us to keep each other safe.  I wonder how we update the way we are dealing with hearts. Maybe we are making this too hard. Pre-pandemic, the options for mental health, spiritual journeys, coaches, and enlightenment was a fast-growing business with elaborate structures. I have been a major consumer of these practices. In pandemic life, this has changed for me. 

I am no therapist, but I notice that when people move, share and create they feel better.  Over the last few years my work had to become less specialized, less leveled, a little more for all, kind of feeling…simple. A lot of that came from necessity in this time. I have created circles of movement more like triage in the battlefield, like I can’t help you with everything but here is a circle and i am in it & I am a mess sometimes, but share, move, and create, let’s make something from this.  Week after week more and more of us keep showing up and we keep expanding. I have other amazing moments of humanity where the right person and the right time just happens to say the thing I need to know. I wonder how these ordinary angels, healers and therapists dressed as uber drivers, waiters, friends, and strangers are there to help me along. What amazes me is how one person’s pain when shared is buoyed amongst the steadiness of others. This kind of offering somehow creates inspiration that can take people further and deeper in both heartbreak and joy. 

 Scientists estimate that a flock of birds can fly about 70% farther with the same amount of energy than if each bird flew alone. Birds have learned that they can reach their destination more quickly and with less energy expended when they fly together in formation.

I don’t know everything and clearly I am listening for signs from birds but I kinda think they are onto something. I have been wondering what could help. Maybe we need more circles. Just create a line that never stops and invite people in. Anyway, that was what the geese told me the other night.

with love all,

Mary Lynn