February 1 & 2 Daily Feast, Elder’s Meditation, THINK on THESE THING

Friday
Tsunagilosti

2013

February
Kagali

Gaga lu'nee
Bony or Hungry Month

The whole earth belongs to ASGA YA GALLUN LATI, the Great Spirit.

Cherokee People

February 1 - Daily Feast

This morning the sun spilled pale gold over the horizon and filled all the space beneath the great oaks. High above, the red-tail hawk, known to the Cherokees as at wo di, sailed lazily along air currents. Even though spring is still many weeks away, the land is beautiful to see. Now, while the trees are bare, there is a wider view of hills and valleys. The colors are all muted shades of beige and gray and the hills are swathed in blue mist. Even the deer are outfitted by nature to be the same subtle shade of browns and tans to give them protection. A restful moment is a perfect moment. But we have to be open to it, and receptive to anything that gives us peace of mind with no side effects. It can't happen if our minds are set to be drab and dreary.

~ The old Lakota was wise. He knew that man's heart away from nature becomes hard. ~

STANDING BEAR

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

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Elder's Meditation of the Day - February 1

"You can't just sit down and talk about the truth. It doesn't work that way. You have to live it and be part of it and you might get to know it."

Rolling Thunder, CHEROKEE

We all read books that have much information in them. Often we pick up on little sayings that we remember. Inside of us is the little owl, the owl of knowing. It talks to us-guiding us and nurturing us. Often when we get information, it's hard to live by, but it's easy to talk about. It's living the Red Road that counts-Walk the Talk. If we really want freedom in our lives, if we really want to be happy, if we really want to have peace of mind, it's the truth we must seek.

My Creator, help me in my search for the truth today.

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'THINK on THESE THINGS'
By Joyce Sequichie Hifler

Have you heard how dreadful the neighbors are these days to ignore another's plight, and how the world has gone to the dogs because people don't care? Have you heard how hardened hearts are and how callous and unfeeling the human race has become?

It may be true such things do happen....for we hear about it daily. But it likely is that we hear more about the unusual then the usual.

For have you heard about the builder who laid his own plans aside to help another build his house....and the lady who gave her home and nursing care to someone who had no other place to go. Or the child who found its needs fulfilled in the love of a foster mother.

We may ignore, but we can never erase the love of the human race for the human race. The world may abound with sordid happenings; it may revel in senseless activities. But called to help, the greater number will respond without thought of the cost to themselves.

Of these things we hear so little. With these we come in contact every day and accept it as the normal pattern of life....which it is....for each unthinking, infantile mine there are two great thoughtful ones. And the second great Commandment still works its wonders in all our lives.

Saturday
Dodaquidena

February 2 - Daily Feast

The drawback of having something go wrong is that we start believing we can't do anything right. It is the beginning of a habit that makes us stumble where we have always stumbled. A subtle and secret conditioning sets in to make us believe we will fail - even before we start. It makes us wilt at the first sign of opposition devastating us with criticism. It is then that we lose our grip and our good intentions - not just for the present time but for all time to come. The Cherokee learned long ago to say" We no longer fall down when something challenges us. We no longer see ourselves as victims. But we are strong and able to overcome the most severe critic and break every habit that has kept us bound."

~ Each day in the old times in summer and in winters we came down to the river to bathe. This strengthened and toughened our firm skin. ~

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

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Elder's Meditation of the Day - February 2

"Even the seasons form a great circle in their changing and always come back again to where they were. The life of a man is a circle from childhood to childhood and so it is everything where power moves."

Black Elk (Hehaka Sapa) OGLALA SIOUX

In these modern times it is difficult to understand why we should think circles and seasons. People and society are always moving through distance over yonder going here and going there-hurry up grow up be successful climb the ladder of success etc. The Elders tell us to slow down to be patient pray and think circles. Circle thinking applies to relationships business and every area of our lives. We need to teach our awareness to look for seasons and cycles.

My Creator teach me the seasons of growth.

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'THINK on THESE THINGS'
By Joyce Sequichie Hifler

We are all aware of the emotional effect color creates. And for this reason we choose colors that please the eye by first pleasing the inner emotions. Certain colors have the same effect on many while other colors affect each of us individually and in particular ways.

Red has an exciting effect green is cool serenity. Orange is the color of vivacity and brown tones are restful earthy colors. People dress to enhance their appearances with certain colors. Homes are decorated and offices planned to create pleasant surroundings.

And we as individuals possess moods of many colors. Yet we are far more careless about the color of that mood letting the attitudes and colors of others dictate to us how we are to behave. If we could remember when we meet people whose moods are black to remind ourselves that their moods are their own there would be less involvement in the emotions of others.

We are so vividly aware of color we must not be reckless in recognizing the color scheme within our own personality. Whether it is a vibrant color sophisticated or bright and witty color always works its subtle magic.

Dodadagohv'i
David White Hawk
Tawodi Unega

"Be good, be kind, help each other."
"Respect the ground, respect the drum, respect each other."

May The Creator walk with you.