February 16 Daily Feast, Elder’s Meditation, THINK on THESE THING

Saturday
Dodaquidena

2013

February 16 - Daily Feast

The biggest mountain is made up of tiny grains of sand and earth. The swiftest, widest river is only tiny drops of water. And in the swell of the human race, you are just as important as the next person. It helps to know that one little drop of water is as complete in itself as the whole river or the entire sea. Even in the smallest way, a person is just as complete and miraculous as any smart invention on earth. It is only by words and actions that circumstances differ and lives take different routes. Each tiny part of anything if indefinitely important. Each petal on a daisy is necessary to give it balance to stand straight on its stem. Never say you are not important. You are not just important, you are essential. You have a definite purpose and it is a sacred responsibility.

~ We have reason to glory in the achievements of our ancestors. ~

O NO'SA

'A Cherokee Feast of Days', by Joyce Sequichie Hifler

Elder's Meditation of the Day - February 16

"Because woman lives so close to our first mother, the Earth, she emanates the strength and harmonious nature of all things."

Larry P. Aitken, CHIPPEWA

At an Elders gathering, held in July 1991, we were told the Indian woman would play an instrumental part in leading the healing of Indian nations. The old people said we were to look up to her in a sacred manner. They said the Earth Mother would give the woman special gifts of love. The woman and the Earth Mother are connected in a special way. Women should pay attention to the lessons coming from the earth. Men should treat the women with respect, dignity and honor.

Grandfather, Grandmother, give the Indian woman Your strength to heal our earth.

'THINK on THESE THINGS'
By Joyce Sequichie Hifler

Isn't it true that when someone says something is wrong, our first thought is, "What have I done wrong now?" That constant fear of having a finger of accusation pointed in our direction - that guilt complex that can plague us into admitting guilt when it isn't ours.

Shakespeare wrote, "The mind of guilt is full of scorpions." And surely it is. For we often take more on with a feeling of guilt than is required of us. It is more often a feeling of fear, fear of being ridiculed, blamed, or even threatened.

A guilt complex can be erased. Not in a day, and maybe not completely, unless we are dedicated to keeping it out of our minds. We are so prone to throw fuel on the fire that we must always be completely aware of the thoughts we entertain.

But certainly, with turning to our innate faith and wisdom we can find enough courage to recognize the ghosts of guilt and see them for what they are.

Perhaps in the final analysis we find we were not guilty at all. We feel relieved, but if we were guilty, the relief of admitting mistakes is just as great.