Daily Feast - February

[bluidkiti]

Daily Feast - February 1st - 6th

TWO
(At-li)

BONY MONTH
(Gaga lu'nee)

We do not want riches but we do want to train our children right. Riches would do us no good. We could not take them with us to the other world. We do not want riches, we want peace and love.

RED CLOUD - SIOUX CHIEFTAN

February 1 - Daily Feast

Ga as qua lv, the circle, infinite life in its cycling process - inhaling and exhaling. The sun draws moisture from the earth and disperses it back to us in a continual movement around the clock called life. We are on the journey of giving and receiving. Father-Creator knew we would not be self-sufficient and gave us willing hands and loving hearts with which to give and to receive. Look up, the sun and moon and stars are all round and travel in cycles. Our cycle should be the most beautiful of all - for we are life and spirit.

~ Even the seasons form a great circle in their changing, and always come back again to where they were. ~

HEHAKA SAPA - OGLALA, 1800s

"A Cherokee Feast of Days, Volume II" 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

There is a friend you must meet. We all need friends and this no ordinary person. This one already knows you better than you know yourself. This friend likes you far better than you like yourself.

This is a friend that knows no envy, no jealousy and has no need to resent you, for supporting you is the real reason for this friendship. This unknown and long hidden friend is you! The real of you that no one can hurt or taint or find fault with, so trust this friend. Get to know and depend on the real you.
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February 2 - Daily Feast

A walk down a country road in memory is almost as good now as when it happened - and even better at times. The youthful urgency to skip some of life's steps is replaced with patience and endurance, and even amusement. Getting there was utmost and now we know that "there" is a place in the heart - not a place where all wishes are granted. A song and a prayer in the heart are worth all the visual triumphs in the world. A deep down harmony and spiritual joy erases all that was not quite right. American Indians call this new consciousness, "walking in a sacred manner".

~ The warriors sat in a circle waiting on the Holy Man and he came forth singing a holy song.... ~

SHORT BULL - DAKOTA SIOUX

"A Cherokee Feast of Days, Volume II" 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

In the frantic search for something that has meaning to life, we have a tendency to do a thing simply because everyone else is doing it. It becomes a "thing", a fad that must be done to keep on the inside circle. There's little originality, little thought, but a lot of following along in beaten paths.

It is a mistaken idea to believe that all I see with my eyes and the limits of my thinking are the limits of the world. There is a
Tremendously interesting world out there never before investigated, and I am an individual like no one else.

It is quite marvelous to break through the shell of the middling and to discover the ability to see and feel, and to hear more keenly. Suddenly, I can feel more kindly, not because of who I am on this earth, but because I'm a child of God.

I can see more color, more light, more vision because I'm not being shown, I'm discovering. My world is no longer based on passing fancies, but on the lasting built slowly within me, with love.
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February 3 - Daily Feast

If it is going to offend you, don't look and don't listen. Offense is a weapon used against peaceable people. It tries to keep us from seeing the morning sun and feeling the mist against our faces. Everything tries to tamper with happiness - and happiness is not because of something but in spite of something. Don't be receptive to ugliness designed to amuse - or to inform, as some so cleverly put it. Offense leaves a wound that has trouble healing.

~ All miserable as we seem in your eyes, we consider ourselves much happier than you. ~

MICMAC CHIEF - 1676

"A Cherokee Feast of Days, Volume II" by Joyce Sequichie Hifler

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Elder's Meditation of the Day - February 3

"It's very hard to do things in the right manner, but as long as we do things right, we are in turn with the Great Spirit."

--Rolling Thunder, CHEROKEE

When we are right with the Great Spirit, we are right with all things. It is impossible to be out of harmony with anything or anybody when we are in harmony with the Great One. So, if during the day a problem crops up and someone makes us mad, the best thing we can do is talk to the Creator first, ask for His help, then continue our conversation with the other person. In this way our emotional nature will keep aligned with our thoughts, and we will always stay right with the Great Spirit.

Great Spirit, I ask You to guide me on the Red Road today.

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THINK on THESE THINGS
By Joyce Sequichie Hifler

To so many, getting up in the morning is the worst way to begin a day. To them every morning is the morning after, a time to feel nervous anxiety and regret in the deepest sense, while to others morning is a new world. Yesterday ceased to be with sleep last night.

How much better off we'd be if only for a few hours we could put out of our minds every painful thought and every unpleasant person until the mind and body could find enough new life to begin again.

"The early morning hath gold in its mouth," wrote Franklin. But it has things more precious than gold. It has life as fresh and sweet as the shimmering, clinging dewdrops in the first rays of golden sunlight. It has the grace of mimosa leaves rippling in the gentlest breeze. It has the songs of the birds and the love of a new awakening.

And in this breathless creation is something more. A new opportunity, another chance, a challenge to walk on, more strong, more forgiving, more loving.

Sleep deep and rest sweet, but rise glad. Don't let one joyful second be lost in dead oblivion. This is a vision of newness awaiting even the least to arise and accept the best - a new beginning.

Morning need not be a jury trial for oneself. Dawn and sleep can be a miraculous cleansing to set us out on our feet ready to begin again and in a friendlier atmosphere. We must feel friendly toward ourselves before we can possibly find morning good to anyone else.

An unknown writer once wrote: "Every morning lean thine arms awhile upon the window sill of heaven, and gaze upon thy Lord, the, with the vision in thy heart, turn strong to meet thy day."

We need to be strong to meet the day with self control, to find our reason and purpose, but, more important, to leave behind us the heavy and darkened thoughts that kept us from seeing the breathtaking beauty of the most important time-this morning.
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February 4 - Daily Feast
It is a blessing that we need each other. Communication brings vitality and energy and lovely sharing. This does not mean we say the same things or eat the same food and think the same thoughts. It means we share space without rancor and envy. It means we are happy to see each other in good health and doing well. A Cherokee grandmother advises"Celebrate being an individual. It is a good time to be one's own best friend - and it is time to unfold one's spirit to draw in someone less secure."
~ I fear no man and I depend only upon the Great Spirit. ~
ADARIO - HURON 1600s
"A Cherokee Feast of Days Volume II" By Joyce Sequichie Hifler
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Elder's Meditation of the Day - February 4
"We say there is a right time and place for everything.It's easy to say but hard to understand. You have to live it to understand it."
--Rolling Thunder CHEROKEE
The Elders tell us there is a right time and a right place. Don't plant seeds in the fall- wrong time. One way we find out about the right time and right place is our experience. If we are lucky we have a few friends who will share their experience this will help us too. The best way is to let God guide us. Only He knows the right time and the right place. So we need to pray and ask Him for guidance.
Great Spirit show me patience so I can live in the right time and right place.
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THINK on THESE THINGS
By Joyce Sequichie Hifler
There are very few days when we have control of our time. No matter what our schedules may be there is always a change taking place that keeps something from happening when it is supposed to happen. And when the day is ended and our schedules have not been met then it begins to drag on our spirits.
Soon we become so wound up in the problems of the moment that the delights of our soul drift away and become a part of the mist of "someday". Someday I will get to do what I want to do. Someday when this necessary work is finished - and is it possible that the things we believe to be so necessary are really robbers of our lives? Do we spend too much time with the menial tasks and allow our creativity - the ability to bring newness into our lives - to dry up and become nonexistent?
William Blake called this within us "God". One of the greatest poets ever to live he believed that if we keep alive our ability to see and feel the beauty of life our menial tasks will become easy and the way successful.
Yesterday is only a dream tomorrow only a vision but today - we live. If we live as we should our yesterdays will be dreams of happiness and our tomorrows will be visions of hope.
Nothing is so sad as the man who spends all his time today judging tomorrow but his experiences of yesterday. He has a vision but his faith does not support him to pursue it. If some great stroke of good fortune should overtake him he will be all ready to go but he doesn't really expect it to happen. So today he sits waiting for the world to change for him never guessing that he is the one who must change.
No one is so misled as the woman who has such a busy schedule that she hasn't time to listen to her children. She expects to take the time to play with them - someday. But it is today that the bridges must be built from the soul to the body to the spirit. It isn't something built from a quick kiss or a smart smack in the right place but from daily communion and understanding.
Today is the very life of life when the best things are nearest - breath in our nostrils light in our eyes flowers at our feet duties at our hand and the path of God before us.
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February 5 - Daily Feast

What sort of persons are we - and what discipline of we obey? Have we slipped the responsibility of inner law and must we depend on outer man-made rules to stay in line? Every one of us needs a Prompter that lives in the heart and rules the affairs with love and peace and stability. A free-flowing spirit is needed to tell us where the limits are - and what things are right and which will damage and destroy. Control for our minds and bodies is in our power, and with it peace and contentment. When these two things begin to fade, we know we have begun to lean on others to tell us who we are and what we can do.

~ You depend upon an infinity of persons whose places have raised them above you. Is it true or not? ~

KONDIARONK - HURON CHIEF

"A Cherokee Feast of Days, Volume II" by Joyce Sequichie Hifler

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Elder's Meditation of the Day - February 5

"Let the person I serve express his thanks according to his own bringing up and his sense of humor."

--Charles A. Eastman (Ohiyesa), SANTEE SIOUX

"It is better to give than receive." But it doesn't really matter if we are giving or receiving. There is an identical feeling associated with both. We get this feeling every time we receive. We can't control when we receive gifts but we can control when we give gifts. Therefore, the more we give, the better we feel. When we are given gifts, or someone does something for us, it is the Indian way to honor this person.

Great Spirit, let me honor and be respectful to those who are good to me today.

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THINK on THESE THINGS
By Joyce Sequichie Hifler

So you missed an opportunity! And they say that opportunity knocks only once - but, only if you believe it! Opportunity has been known to pound on the door and go unnoticed, and it has been known to whisper and be heard. It is all according to how hard we require opportunity to knock before we recognize it.

Our awareness of opportunity will reveal to us how many times it presents itself; so subtle, it may not be recognized by the casual eye. And usually it seems to be completely unprofitable to us personally. More often than not it is service to others without thought of return. It is humility, a willingness to accept the most humble beginnings. It is joy in finding communication with others and finding a kinship with them.

Have you heard of an opportunity fund? Some call it saving for a rainy day. Rainy days can be lovely too. A rainy day can be an opportunity to get things done. But an opportunity can be any day, rain or shine.

Do you often have the opportunity to speak to your neighbor? It seems to happen too infrequently these days.

The most fun we can have comes when we've the opportunity to squelch an ugly rumor. You know, "curst be the tongue whence slanderous rumor, withering friendship's faith...." Sometimes a little friendship does wither, but if it really amounts to anything it will survive.

What a splendid opportunity to sit quietly and mentally forgive with such depth and joy as to start life anew. There is no greater blessing, no greater opportunity fund.

American editor A.E. Dunning writes, "Great opportunities come to all, but many do not know they have met them. The only preparation to take advantage of them, is simply fidelity to what each day brings."

A missed opportunity may well be another opportunity to prepare for a bigger and better one!
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February 6 - Daily Feast

The danger of wielding a big stick is that it can so easily turn on you. An unwritten law dictates the total downfall of any person or group of persons whose aim it is to manipulate and overrun another people. This is not to say it can't be done. It is done all the time by intimidation and sarcasm. But nothing lasts that comes through overbearing force. The underlying principle must be considered in every phase of living. It is the equalizer, the balancing factor that says if we plan to sink someone else's ship, we had better be good swimmers.

~ You can count you money....but only the Great Spirit can count the grains of sand. ~

CHIEF - BLACKFEET TRIBE

"A Cherokee Feast of Days, Volume II" by Joyce Sequichie Hifler

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Elder's Meditation of the Day - February 6

"We hold on to our otuhan, our give-aways, because they help us to remain Indians."

--Lame Deer, LAKOTA

Our traditional communities and villages function on interdependence. Share the deer and give freely of what you have to another. Another way to express this principle is, it's better to give than to receive. To share what you have eliminates complexity. The Elders say, live a simple life. One of the principles in the Unseen World is, the more you give, the more you get. You can become a channel for abundance for your family, tribe or community. A giving person sets up a flow or replacement. Whatever you share will be returned to you in an amount equal or greater. The Indian way is for everyone to give to another, thus the community wins.

Great Spirit, today, teach me the principle of giving. Let me be Your channel of abundance.

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THINK on THESE THINGS
By Joyce Sequichie Hifler

Haven't you heard someone say, after experiencing something either good or bad, "I knew it was going to be that way." And perhaps the conviction was very strong that certain conditions would take a definite turn. But much of the time we say it not out of conviction, but resignedly, agreeing beforehand that something will be a certain way, and usually with dire overturns.

It used to be believed that we had no power to control anything coming to us. We were mere victims of circumstances, almost like stones waiting to be kicked aside. But we were taught, "As a man thinketh in his heart, so he is."

We must not be so presumptuous as to believe we know everything there is to know about the workings of the mind. But we attract a great many of our problems simply by dwelling on them in our thoughts.

Premonition, or "knowing" things are going to be a certain way, is merely giving us a little time to head off the trouble. Such things should be a challenge, not an accepted rule. "Know" better until you believe it into conviction and into being.