June 3 Daily Feast, Elder's Meditation, THINK on THESE THING

June 3 - Daily Feast

Big changes require many small ones. Any change seems sudden, regardless of how much we prepare for it. We wait for it, ask for it, expect it, and resent its intrusion. Change is needed to stay young and vital and moving. Without it we stagnate, lose our keenness of thought, and too often fall into melancholy. Even in the best of times change takes a certain amount of adjustment. Our biggest problem with change is that we expect it to be bad rather than something that will make us happier. To a Tsa su ga, a flea, a dog is the whole world, says a Cherokee. As much as we like where we are, it isn't the whole world. There are bigger things - and better. We have to be able to see beyond the dog.

~ I have made myself what I am. ~

TECUMSEH, 1810

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

Elder's Meditation of the Day June 3

"IN THE BEGINNING were the Instructions... The Instructions was to live in a good way and be respectful to everybody and everything."

Vickie Downey, TEWA/Tesuque Pueblo

A long time ago, in the beginning, the Creator gave to all people and to all things the Wisdom and the knowledge of how to live in harmony. Some tribes call these teachings the original Instructions, the original teachings, or the Great Laws. All of Nature still lives and survives according to these teachings. In modern times, human beings are searching for the Instructions. Many churches claim they have these Instructions. Where are these teachings? The Instructions are written in our hearts.

Great Spirit, today, whisper to me the secrets of the original Instructions.

'THINK on THESE THINGS'
By Joyce Sequichie Hifler

"I owe no man anything but love" is it said. But what is love? Love is duty - whatever duty may require to accomplish a good thing.

Love is peace. One must not only be peaceful but contribute to the peace of others. Let there be peace and let it begin with me.

Love is sometimes pain. We must give up something that causes us pain because it is for the good of the greatest number.

Love is understanding. That others do not have to forever explain their actions to us. That we know their reasons without being told.

Love is courage. Courage to lead where one has the ability to lead. Courage to stand up for what one believes in and wants to live.

Love is faith. Faith in God, faith in self, and faith in others. Everyone is not above reproach, but we must have faith that the majority strives to be.

Coleridge wrote, "He prayeth best who loveth best," which seems to rule out all hollow and self-heard prayers. For those who truly love do not hear themselves only, or rule all life useless because they cannot love or pray.

Life can be as simple as love and prayer. Where the two mingle there can be no jealousy, resentment, or fear.

Jealousy makes us compare our lot with another's. And there can be no comparison, for no two people are alike.

Resentment plunges an otherwise logical soul into despair and an endless journey of revenge.

And fear rushes us headlong into situations that detract, accidents that could be prevented, and long delays in reaching our goals.

But if we can, for a few moments, invite into our hearts a thing called love, then we can pray. And if we pray we have the source of all answers to our aid.

Donadagahv’I

Tawodi Unega
( White Hawk )

I will be going by my new Cherokee Name From the Bird Clan
By my Udo ( Brother ) Mashu: Tawodi Unega ( White Hawk )

This is going to be My true and traditional name. It will not be official, however, until I can have the ceremony for it.

May The Creator walk with you.