April 23 Daily Feast, Elder's Meditation, THINK on THESE THING

April 23 - Daily Feast

Some of the best successes have been those that came on the spur of the moment - something we caught hold of and lightly carried through with the air of having done it a thousand times. How does it happen, when we so often hear that all-too-familiar thud? It is the consensus of the Cherokee that the heart, the u na wi, the spirit of anything should not be heavy when we are dealing with the substance of the Great Spirit. The underlying di ka no di, or material to work with, must be handled and carried with hands that a da la du di, worship the Source of light and not the darkness. When we are too serious about our own importance we labor under heaviness, and the way is so slow we begin to doubt. Never doubt Yoweh, and the Great Spirit will carry through.

~ You said you would enlarge the fire....add more fuel to make it brighter.... ~

CANASSATEGO 1742

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

Elder's Meditation of the Day April 23

"The real meaning of life is your family, the love that you have, the respect, the traditional ways, carrying on with them."

Ethel Wilson, COWICHAN

The family is the seed of the future. The family is the key to the transfer of cultural information. We should really take a look at how we are looking at our families. Are we treating each family member with respect? Are we passing on the traditional ways? Are we teaching the old songs? Are we participating in the ceremonies? Are we showing the family members how to pray? Are we encouraging each family member to be spiritual? Think about these things today.

My Creator, today, let me show respect to each family member.

'THINK on THESE THINGS'
By Joyce Sequichie Hifler

Variety is said to be the spice of life. Anything in which we can continually find something new, a difference, will hold our attention indefinitely. Even the most interesting work can become monotonous if there never is a change. We are a restless people, finding life more livable and exciting when we know there is a bit of a change in store.

One isn't always aware of monotony. It is a subtle something that creeps silently into a well formed routine. And most are unaware of its presence until its victim, interest, begins to lose ground.

Sometimes a change of pace fulfills a need for variety, but the most satisfying is one's ability to lay aside a regular routine to lend a hand to a neighbor when he needs it.

The very old and happy habit of helping your neighbor never found a body bored. The hearts of helpers are light, not because they are searching for variety, but because variety finds them when self is forgotten and the need to help a neighbor is the only thought.