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

May 23 - Daily Feast

Pride so often makes it hard for us to ask forgiveness. Instead of saying we are sorry for a mistake, it is easier on the pride to pretend it did not happen and quickly change our behavior. Words are important in love and forgiveness - and courage. It is good to hear them - better to speak them. Forgiveness is not just to make someone else feel better about us but to help us think better of ourselves. To make amends, set things straight, is go tlv so di, to change - not just outwardly for effect but inwardly for good reason. When we forgive someone we stop resenting them. It takes a little while longer to forget - and even longer to forgive ourselves for having been so foolish.

~ We want to keep peace. Will you help us? ~

CHIEF RED CLOUD, 1870

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

Elder's Meditation of the Day May 23

"To me, if you're Indian, you're Indian. You don't have to put on your buckskin, beads, and feathers, and stuff like that."

Cecilia Mitchell, MOHAWK

The most important thing that determines who we are is on our insides, not our outsides. If we are Indian inside, that's all that matters. Being Indian means to think right, to be spiritual and to pray. Feathers and beads don't make us Indian. Being Indian means to have a good heart and a good mind.

Great Spirit, today, let me think Indian.

'THINK on THESE THINGS'
By Joyce Sequichie Hifler

It has been said that hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. But it is even truer that there is no hell more furious than those human beings who feel scorn within themselves for themselves. It is natural but painful for those who do not know the meaning of love to find fault and grief within their own existence. Unable to accept the blame for their actions, there is a continual search for the cause in other people.

How can we tell what point in life others am have reached in their development? We can only see and sense the pain that some carry while they learn the way. If it is impossible to get along with them, we should get along without them, but condemning them will never turn the tide.

Understanding of others and of ourselves has been a great human need for all time. The fact that we do not look with a critical eye, pecking away in constant irritation at another's faults, but give some sign of friendliness, some patience for rebellious spirits, may serve as the turning point for that spirit. And to try for such understanding does no harm for the one who makes the effort.