The Urban Goose: Volume 1
The Urban Goose and the Art of Finding Peace
Meet Gary, the Urban Goose. He’s not your average honker—he’s a city-dwelling bird with a penchant for overthinking and chasing after crumbs (which, in his case, is a metaphor for his anxiety). Gary’s life in the city wasn’t what he expected when he first flapped his wings and flew in from the countryside. Instead of tranquil ponds and sunny meadows, he was greeted by honking taxis, buzzing scooters, and humans constantly in a rush.
Gary’s mind? A swirling mess of honks, flaps, and mental to-do lists.
“What if I get honked at?” he thought. “What if that hot dog stand runs out of snacks?” “What if I’m late for my next park bench nap?”
Gary spent his days overthinking, dodging bicycles, and pecking at crumbs of anxiety.
But one bright and unusually quiet morning, something changed.
Gary was waddling along his usual route when he noticed a squirrel sitting very still, nibbling a nut. The squirrel didn’t seem to care about the noisy cars or the people walking by. In fact, it looked… happy.
“What’s your secret, little buddy?” Gary asked, plopping down next to the squirrel with an exaggerated puff of his chest.
The squirrel, barely looking up, took a tiny pause and then said, “It’s simple, friend. I focus on what’s in front of me.”
Gary blinked. “You mean… you don’t worry about your next acorn, or that scary dog over there?”
The squirrel shrugged. “Nope. I just nibble on my nut. That's it.”
Gary sat there, his feathers puffing up slightly. "Hmm... Just Nibble Eh.”
So, Gary decided to try something new. For the next hour, instead of darting across busy streets looking for crumbs, he focused on the moment. He waddled slowly, taking in the smells of the fresh air (and the occasional hot dog stand), the feel of the cobblestones under his webbed feet, and the joy of simply being a goose in a bustling city.
He felt an unfamiliar peace.
The more he practiced staying in the moment, the less he cared about the honking cars, the confused tourists, and the upcoming anxiety over where his next snack would come from. It was as if the world slowed down, and Gary finally realized:
The present moment is all we really have.
Now, whenever Gary feels the old stirrings of anxiety creeping in (like when a dog barks too close, or when a pigeon gives him side-eye), he simply remembers the squirrel’s wisdom: focus on the present.
And so, Gary the Urban Goose became a master of mindfulness, waddling around with an air of peace. He no longer cared about the traffic or the food shortages—he was simply happy to be alive, honking at pigeons and nibbling on the occasional crisp.
Gary’s Tips for Beating Anxiety (From an Urban Goose)
- Stay Present: Like Gary, focus on what’s in front of you. Instead of worrying about what’s coming, enjoy the now.
- Take a Deep Breath: When the world gets noisy, pause and take a moment to breathe.
- Laugh at the Chaos: Remember that the world can be a bit wild, but laughter is often the best way to calm your nerves.
- Follow the Squirrel’s Wisdom: Sometimes, it’s best to just do one thing at a time and enjoy it. Whether it’s nibbling on an acorn or watching clouds float by, simplicity is key.
So next time you’re feeling overwhelmed, channel your inner urban goose. Slow down, be present, and maybe even nibble on a nut (or whatever snack you prefer). You’ve got this.
