February 23 & 24 Daily Feast, Elder’s Meditation, THINK on THESE THING

February 23 Daily Feast, Elder’s Meditation, THINK on THESE THING

Saturday
Dodaquidena

2013

February 23 - Daily Feast

A winner carries with him the quiet knowledge that he has heard every argument, faced every opposition, felt every criticism, but there is no turning back and no accepting defeat. Rejection is one of the oldest forms of torture. If a dozen people approve of us and one does not, our thought is riveted on the one and what his reason is for not liking us. But time and circumstances change so swiftly. Nothing stays the same. What was real and possible is suddenly out of reach or we find amazing success where we have failed a dozen times. If we give up, we forfeit everything. Look beyond rejection, see beyond limits, think around the bend in the road. It may be that we have been trying to settle for less than the best - and we have been doing it for a long time.

~ The path of glory is rough and many gloomy hours obscure it. May the Great Spirit shed light on yours. ~

BLACK HAWK, 1833

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

*<=-=>>>*<=-=>>>*<=-=>>>*

Elder's Meditation of the Day - February 23

"We've got to learn what's going on today in the world, and we've got to get an education so we can survive."

--Jimmy Jackson, OJIBWA

Indian people have the ability to adapt. In these modern times, we Native people must walk two roads. We must get educated so our people don't lose. We need lawyers, doctors, nurses, foresters, scientists, educators, carpenters, welders. These skills are needed to help the people. While we are learning we need to remember to keep our culture, learn our dances, sing our songs, learn to speak our own language and maintain our culture for future generations.

Great Spirit, let my education never lack the meaning and value of Indian spirituality.

*<=-=>>>*<=-=>>>*<=-=>>>*

'THINK on THESE THINGS'
By Joyce Sequichie Hifler

When winter presses a cold, gray hand against every living thing and temporarily puts to sleep all outward growth and activity of other seasons, there is within a quiet, invisible, but very active preparation for a lighter, warmer time.

There are times when the winters of life press hard upon us, seeming to keep from us any hope for good. But as the coldest winter does not prevent a tulip from developing a blaze of color within the bulb, there is nothing to prevent our own inner growth.

We quite naturally want the things that will make us happy and we want them now. But there is still a time of preparation, the development of our abilities to recognize the good and the beautiful when we see it. Otherwise, we are apt to look past them, still searching.

The tulip has a plan drawn by God's hand, and more beautiful than anything we can make. We have a way of moving from one time to another, waiting for life to come to us instead of having a plan. But during those waiting periods we need to make a little effort to determine the course and to be ready when the right time comes.

*<=-=>>>*<=-=>>>*<=-=>>>*

February 24 Daily Feast, Elder’s Meditation, THINK on THESE THING

Sunday
Dodaquasgvi

2013

February 24 - Daily Feast

Worthy performances do not make us who we are, but little things and what we tell ourselves in the privacy of our own minds. We are what we see and what we believe is important. We are children to the end - innocent in ways we do not understand, aware of our spiritual connections and afraid to develop them. What would people think? How will I explain that I no longer enter into those activities that are thought so clever? There's a world of things we do not have to explain. As much as we want others to understand and like us, if it takes us off our standing place into a world of unlikely places, then we flirt with disaster. No one can dictate to us if we are not listening. We will not lose our footing if we are not teetering. We are who we are by what we choose to cultivate, and all worthy performances are made up of very little parts.

~ God made me an Indian. ~

SITTING BULL, 1876

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

*<=-=>>>*<=-=>>>*<=-=>>>*

Elder's Meditation of the Day - February 24

"But each of us must find out for himself or herself what their gift is, so that they can use it in their life."

Jimmy Jackson, OJIBWAY

The old people say, everyone has a song to sing. This song is the reason we are on this earth. When we are doing what we came on this earth to do, we know true happiness. How will we know our song? Pray. Ask the Great Mystery, "What is it you want me to do during my stay on earth?" Ask. He will tell you. He will even help you develop yourself to accomplish His mission.

Great Spirit, help me find my song and let me sing it.

*<=-=>>>*<=-=>>>*<=-=>>>*

'THINK on THESE THINGS'
By Joyce Sequichie Hifler

It is said that pearls worn by a happy person have a warm and more lustrous glow.

Pearls are like gentle moments strung together for the happy person - they cannot help but glow.

Gentle moments, like pearls, seem to be so few. Yet, how rich and warm and beautiful they make our lives.

It takes only a few moments to enjoy a talk with someone about good things instead of the bad; it takes only a few moments to drop a line to a shut-in when attention means so much. It takes only a few moments to see a sunset, or read a Scripture, or listen to a child talk.

It takes only a few moments to open the door to happiness. And if happiness seems only a few moments long, so will trouble if we open the door and let it out instead of harboring it.

Life is made up of a few moments all strung together like pearls. Each moment is a pearl, and it is up to us to pick the ones with the highest luster. If we do not have time to do great things, take a few gentle moments and do small things in a great way.