February 22 Daily Feast, Elder's Meditation, THINK on THESE THING

February 22 - Daily Feast

We are persons with a desire for variety. Rigid routine can make our spirits sag. Following the same path at the same time every day, repeating and repeating without the slightest change, dulls the spirit. Life gets to be routine because we let our minds fall into a rut that has no future. Nagging fear enters when living falls into inertia, and we are troubled not so much by what is going on around us as what is going on inside. There are many words for spirit, but the Cherokees call it a da nv to, or life, v le ni to nv. It means to show some initiative, some serious intention. It is not something we only hope to have one day. It is a necessity - moisture that feeds the roots and sunlight that draws new life. But it must be stirred up.

~ Warriors stir themselves to go to battle - and so must we. ~

STRONG LEGS

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

Elder's Meditation of the Day - February 22

"In the Indian way, we are connected to that flower if we understand its spirit, the essence of its life."

Larry P. Aitken, CHIPPEWA

Everything on our Earth is alive. Every rock, every plant, every animal, every tree, every bird, every thought is alive. This is true because everything is made by the Great Spirit and the Great Spirit is alive. We need to slow our lives down each day and realize, consciously, that this is true. First we need to realize it, second, we need to acknowledge it, third, we need to appreciate it and, finally, we need to go on.

Great Spirit, let me see life through Your eyes. Today let me be alive.

'THINK on THESE THINGS'
By Joyce Sequichie Hifler

When there's thinking to be done a person does well to have a little private retreat....a place where there's no worry that any minute someone will interrupt. And at the very ease of knowing that here is a little time to do nothing but just think.

Except that I must carefully direct those thoughts so to never let them roam to things that serve only to disturb. But where does one find a place these days that affords a time alone?

It doesn't take much room to think. Some have little special places hidden from view....a hillside maybe....a sunny spot along a path....a closet not so large....a park bench....or they may even take a drive.

But that place that is always available to us is that place within our own selves. This is the secret place within the heart where desires are stored. And no matter what we do, where we go, thoughts are productive.

Here is where thankfulness is stored....here is where love is born....here is where the very life of life is built and rebuilt. This is our retreat when there's thinking to be done.

Donadagahv’i
Uwetsidvhi Waya Uwasv
( Son of Lone Wolf )

May The Creator walk with you.