Daily Feast - March

[bluidkiti]

Daily Feast - March 1st - 6th

THREE
Tsa'l

WINDY MONTH
(Unu'la hee)

We throw ourselves under the protection of the Great Spirit above.... We wish for peace and whenever we hear that pleasant sounds, we will pay attention to it.

JOSEPH BRANT - A BRILLIANT MOHAWK LEADER

March 1 - Daily Feast, Volume II

When we stop to think, we realize that at one time our main teaching was to be honorable and just and compassionate. And now, most of our entertainment is watching someone brings down someone with a degree of innocence. We are free to hiss and boo what we see and hear, but how many admire such a gift of treachery? What would it be like to manipulate and generally ruin other people's lives for pure entertainment? Who can we really trust or rely on? We can begin with ourselves. By weeding out past experiences and by forgiving ourselves, we can be someone that can be trusted. It is a beginning - and a responsibility.

~ My children, you have forgotten the customs and traditions of your forefathers. ~

PONTIAC - ODAWA, 1763

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

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Elder's Meditation of the Day- March 1

"The beginning is purification, that's the first step..And purification means purification of body and mind. You don't purify the body without cleansing the mind; that's the way it works."

--Rolling Thunder, CHEROKEE

If we have bad thoughts or poison in our minds, they will eventually show up in our bodies in the form of headaches, pains, and stomach problems. It works this way because we are interconnected. Our minds and our bodies are one system. So when we start to grow, or commit to the Red Road, we need to start cleaning up our thoughts and start showing respect for our bodies. We start purifying our minds by prayer and meditation, and we start cleansing our bodies by getting the right amount of sleep and developing good eating habits. Today, I'm going to observe my thoughts. Will my thoughts be clean today?

Great Spirit, let me focus on Your love today so my mind will be pure.

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THINK on THESE THINGS
By Joyce Sequichie Hifler

How much voice do we really have in our own affairs? How free are we to speak out on the things we know and believe and want to say? How much voice do we have in public affairs?

How much goes unsaid because it may be bad for business, or it might make us look foolish? How often we should speak up but think it is none of our business. How quiet we are when someone's unethical hand does wrong.

What is it that inhibits us? Our own fears. Fear of our own ignorance, fear of losing, fear of the bugaboos we know lurk somewhere, but just aren't sure where.

Who are the people who are free of fears? They are the individuals who govern themselves in such a manner as to have thought out their own ideas enough to be able to speak freely for themselves.

Ethics would seem to be something to ignore if you wish to be successful in business. Many people strive harder today than at any other time to divide their lives so that being seen in church is good taste, and being unethical in business proves they are shrewd. Being successful isn't nearly as important as proving that they've gotten that way by the clever undoing of their opposition.

There was a time when building a better mouse trap by the most efficient methods gave us satisfaction, but too often these days we are impressed because someone is smart. Not smart with intelligence, but smart with the cunning that goes along with the jungle code of getting before someone gets you.

The person who tries to get ahead by ethical methods, and by wanting only to provide something better than is already in existence, must also be equipped to withstand ridicule.

Frankly, the race of the tortoise and the hare is still on, and while the hare is tearing around showing off its ability to be a fast runner, the tortoise is making progress, and never losing its way.

Socrates, being asked the way to honest fame, said, "Study to be what you wish to seem." Success takes time and moral discipline, but our successes will be as human beings first, and then the crown of success in business will sit easily and firmly.
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March 2 - Daily Feast

Certain people affect us like a tight shoe that rubs in all the wrong places. We try to ignore it until we can get to a private place where we can get rid of it. But while we are wearing it the pain goes on and becomes nearly impossible to bear. So much pecks away at us like dripping water until we cannot ignore it. In retrospect we are the foolishness of not handling the problem more quickly - but we were taught to ha tse s da, grin and bear it. Be nice. Be kind. But the shoe pinches and rubs and our patience grows short. How much wiser to quietly step out of the shoes and never go back.

~ I kept out of all the fights and troubles. ~

LITTLE RAVEN - ARAPAHO, 1800's

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

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Elder's Meditation of the Day - March 2

"The voice and the heart are not working together."

--Barney Bush, SHAWNEE

We can say any words we want with our voice but we cannot hide the true meaning and the true spirit behind the words. The true meaning is always understood. The voice is heard in the physical world, but the meaning is transmitted in the spiritual world. If our voice says one thing but the heart is saying something else, it's the something else that is heard. It is said that the truth will set you free. Reaching the truth means your voice and your words will be in alignment with the heart.

Great Spirit, let my tongue, speak the truth today.

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THINK on THESE THINGS
By Joyce Sequichie Hifler

Prisoners never love their jails. And the same holds true for all kinds of prisoners, whether they be dogs on leashes or human beings tied to responsibilities. If they are there of their own free will and because they have a sense of belonging, the connecting link is made of love.

Responsible people with an assignment, and the feeling that it is theirs alone, will do it to the best of their ability and see it though. But if they must be watched and directed in every step, then it is a jail and the first thought is how to get out.

Freedom to be an individual with the right to make even small decisions is a precious possession. Freedom to come and go can build faith and trust within people, to make them stick closer than brothers. The rigid rules and constant prodding of a free spirit will force them to find that freedom.

We simply cannot keep another in bondage without being in bondage ourselves. To hold humanity by invisible force is to keep constant watch. And even beneath that watchful eye there will be a continual search for escape.

Anyone completely dependent upon others must always bear their will-O-the-wisp attitudes and the rising and lowering of the emotional tides. However, it is presumptuous of anyone to believe they can possibly be independent of others. Without other people, we cannot exist.

But to believe we are doing our best for anyone except ourselves is to build on sand. Of course others inspire us. They give us reasons to be better. They give us the benefit of their experience, but we seldom learn from that. We demand experience of our own. So consequently, we err and make it right. We mar and erase. And sometimes we try and fail, but always it is up to us to decide whether we do better or worse.

We can despair easily if allowed to become completely and utterly dependent upon others. They are human and they make mistakes. But we must know some measure of forgiveness the same as we must know some independence, if only in the spirit. And if the spirit is free, then all else shall be too.
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March 3 - Daily Feast

Some mysteries have never been explained; how a firefly lights up its tail, how a bumblebee flies, and how a hummingbird can hover and dart. Even deeper mysteries surround us personally. How did we get to this place to do this thing? We know little more about ourselves than we do about the firefly and bumblebee. To think and ponder and question is a part of our nature - but if we were to put to work what we already know we would be financial geniuses and spiritual giants. No mystery stands out here, but think what we could do were we to work like the ant - and with no overseer.

~ He did not depend altogether on his eyes for information. ~

SAID ABOUT PONTIAC - OTTAWA, 1700's

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

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Elder's Meditation of the Day - March 3

"For me writing has become prayers that say, `Great Spirit, return to us our freedom, our land, and our lives. We are thankful for the present from which to learn how to be thankful for the past, and how to be hopeful for the future."

--Barney Bush, SHAWNEE

We Native people have really been tested. This testing is having our land taken from us, our culture challenged, and our way of living altered. Gratefully, we have not lost our spirituality. Our spirituality has been the key for our people making it through all of these tests. Our prayers are strong. Indian people have also been able to adjust to change and still keep their culture and spirituality. Today, we should be grateful to the Creator for the present, and for the lessons of the past. May our future be guided by the Great Spirit.

Great Spirit, thank You for Mother Earth and Father Sky. Thank You for my life.

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THINK on THESE THINGS
By Joyce Sequichie Hifler

The setting of the sun on an old year is a kind of summing up time. What have you accomplished? What were your goals? Will they be higher in the new year?

Whatever your personal plans and whatever the reasons back of them, there are common everyday kinds of people that should be kept in view. They have positive outlooks, and are best recognized when sincerely listening to a child's words.

You will see them when they steady the elderly, you will know them by their kindness'. You will not often hear their prayers as they are for their God. But you will know they are to be depended upon and that they will not tire of these things, for it is their natural role.

Think about these people when you set your plans. They are good to remember. Your success or failure depends upon these people being you.
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March 4 - Daily Feast

An amusing story is told about Tecumseh to show how kindly tolerant he was. One evening on entering the home of a white man with whom he was friends, he saw a gigantic stranger there who was badly frightened at the sight of Tecumseh. The man for all his size took cover behind others in the room. Tecumseh stood a moment sternly watching the great fellow, and then he went up and patted the cowering giant and said good naturedly, "Big Baby; Big baby!"

~ The Great spirit told me to tell the Indians that he had made them, and made the world - and he had placed them on it to good and not evil. ~

TENSKWATAWA - 1808

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

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Elder's Meditation of the Day - March 4

"My father told me,that Hopi earth does contain my roots and I am, indeed, from that land. Because my roots are there, I will find them."

--Wendy Rose, HOPI/MIWOK

Everything that comes from the earth will return to the earth. We should be able to realize the connectedness to the earth. We should be able to feel toward Her just like She is our real Mother. We can easily feel this connectedness if we can answer these three questions: why am I?, who am I?, and where am I going? If we cannot answer these questions, then perhaps we need to talk to the Elders. Go to the Elders and ask, "Grandfather, why am I?; Grandmother, who am I?; Oh Great One, where am I supposed to go?" The Elders will help us with these three questions.

Grandfather, help me to stay centered today.

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THINK on THESE THINGS
By Joyce Sequichie Hifler

A new galaxy of shining promises made to oneself are resolutions made with the utmost faith that self is listening and will carry out the plans.

But self is an unpredictable as a child playing in the street: it may dart in any direction, according to the mood and to whatever catches its attention. At the first sign of a challenge, self may race back and lean hard upon the old ways of doing things, no matter how wrong it may be. Resolutions do very little to change a way of living. They are easily made and easily forgotten. There may be a sincere desire to keep a resolution, but of self has not changed inwardly, little can depend on the outward change.

It is said that we promise according to our hopes and perform according to our selfishness. Failure to keep our promises to others is a disappointment, but failure within oneself is disaster.

A little performance is worth a host of promises on any day that starts a new year.
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March 5 - Daily Feast

Once you hear the cries of geese in flight, you never forget it. Distance may muffle the sound at first - but then all is silent and that clear spirited call comes through. The sound of geese is one of the earliest signs that the season is changing. Long ribbons pulled along in v-shape, turning like silver flecks in the sunlight before they fade into the blue. Like other treasures we want to preserve, we need to provide a place for them as an invitation to come and awaken us with their primitive cries.

~ Such nearness to nature as I have described keeps the spirit sensitive to impressions not commonly felt, and in touch with unseen powers. ~

OHIYESA - SANTEE DAKOTA, 1862

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

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Elder's Meditation of the Day - March 5

"I have always searched for my place and my people."

--Wendy Rose, HOPI/MIWOK

For every human being to feel connected, we must have the feeling of belonging. That is one of the values and benefits of a culture: it creates the feeling of belonging. If for some reason, while you were growing up, you did not develop the feeling of belonging, a search will be triggered and a restlessness will be present in your heart. You will have a hole inside you, something missing, until you find your place and your people. Remember, we can get this feeling of belonging when we realize we belong to the Great Spirit and that He really loves us a lot.

My Creator, today, I belong to You. Let me feel Your presence. Thank You.

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THINK on THESE THINGS
By Joyce Sequichie Hifler

It is always amazing to hear someone scoff at the serious things. Perhaps they only scoff because they can't recognize anything really serious outside their own personal problems.... Or maybe they are just afraid to acknowledge anything they don't understand.

Whatever it is that keeps people thinking in such a limited area adds to the residue of dullness in their minds. And until they can mature enough to believe in something worthwhile they continue to add layer after layer of residue to the mind.

It is not surprising that some people believe themselves in possession of all knowledge to the point that they feel free to ridicule those who are still in the process of thinking things out. We can never truly judge another's reasoning. We can only see the results and with time it may be the person will break through that accumulation to wisdom and kindness that is so necessary in tolerating others' opinions and beliefs. The will the residue diminish and there will be a renewal of the spirit.
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March 6 - Daily Feast

To live by one's feelings is to wilt at the first sign of opposition. Feelings are driven by the emotions and they keep us forever on unstable ground. When we falter we are taken back immediately to a time when things didn't work out. If what we consider a failure is still reminding us years later, then it is a stumbling block that should be removed. Let the weak say, "I am strong." And let that strength rise like the phoenix out of the ashes to overcome every weak emotion.

~ Although wrongs have been done me I live in hope. ~

BLACK KETTLE - CHEYENNE

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

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Elder's Meditation of the Day - March 6

"And there are Four Corners of the Earth that we talk about, the Four Colors of people, and the Four Winds. You see the winds - they are spirits."

--Grandfather William Commanda, ALGONQUIN

The Elders teach us about the four directions. If we learn about direction, we also learn about attention, about focus, and about power. Each direction has spiritual power. In the morning, go outside, face the east and get still; then, listen to your thoughts. After you have done this for a while, turn and face the west. Get quiet once again and listen to your thoughts. Did your thinking change when you changed direction?

Great Spirit, teach me the power of the four directions.

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THINK on THESE THINGS
By Joyce Sequichie Hifler

Frequently quoted American editor and author Christian Nestell Bovee wrote that sensitiveness is closely allied to egotism - indeed excessive sensitivity is only another name for morbid self-consciousness.

He wrote that the sure for it was to make more of our objectives and less of ourselves. And it isn't easy to make less of ourselves.

Everyone at some time has felt extreme sensitivity toward people and surroundings. It is a sensitiveness that does not always have a good effect - seemingly for no reason at all we exercise no control over the emotions. It can be frightening to realize that we are quite capable of destroying as we are, at other times, of building.

It is written in the essays of Aristotle that there are right things to say and a right way of saying them; and the same is true of listening. So often we make a casual remark, not meant to be tactless, but somehow it turns out that way. When there is a desire to appear witty, or clever, at someone else's expense, there should be no pride in the results.

And when we listen to someone's causal remark and take offense, we must examine our own thoughts. If we allow our minds to run in channels of vulgarity and mockery, then we can also expect to interpret others' words to mean the same things.

We can so easily read the wrong things into others' conversations, and in our own efforts to express ourselves say such foolish things that we lose the priceless gifts if relaxation and fun of conversing with other people. And for these reasons we must cultivate the art of speaking and listening with the warmest heart - which harbors nothing that is not right.

It is a good idea in the most sensitive times to recognize them for what they are and to make a pact within one's self to bypass this time for serious thought and decision making. This, above all, should be a time for relaxing against the wind of oversensitivity. To resist it only strengthens it, and to look at it clearly and coolly will take away its mystery and its heat.

It is well to remember that the too-sensitive person is not the true self, but the one with the marvelous mental attitude most certainly is - wait for that person!

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March 7 - Daily Feast

Never underestimate the power of quiet determination. It changes the most severe circumstances and holds the line against impossible odds. It is the handle by which we make or break our lives. Nothing can stand against quiet determination. When we decide to be well, we will be well. When we decide to prosper, we will prosper. Something as simple as the way the sun sifts through misty leaves, or the quavery call of the screech owl, erases all time but the primitive. Something happens to change all sense of proportion and things slip into their rightful pattern.

~ We saw the Great Spirit's work in almost everything: sun, moon, trees, wind, and mountains. ~

TATANGA MANI - STONEY INDIAN

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

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Elder's Meditation of the Day - March 7

"We are responsible for the condition of the Earth. We are the ones who are responsible and we can change that. If we wake up, it is possible to change the energy. It is possible to change everything."

--Hunbatz Men, MAYAN

The environment we want outside will be created by the mental pictures we have inside out heads. We must have the right environmental picture as well as the right values. These values will give the mental picture its true meaning. If we respected Mother Earth, we would not throw garbage on Her, nor would we put poison in Her. We would not misuse Her in any way. Mother Earth is like She is today because of the mental pictures of previous generations as well as the mental pictures of our own generation. If we want the environment to change, each individual must change their mental picture. "As within, so without."

Great Spirit, today, let me be alert to Your guiding voice.

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THINK on THESE THINGS
By Joyce Sequichie Hifler

Remember all those time when you make three trips to the other room to get something, and before you got there you had already forgotten what it was? Didn't the thought of age dimming your memory enter your mind at those times?

There's really no need to waste time thinking that way. It is not the case of a scattered memory, but a skittery mind, jumping from one subject to another with only circumstances to remind you.

And haven't you awakened sharply in the middle of the night because suddenly you remembered something you should have done, or something you must do? Age again? No, it was the only time your subconscious mind ever found you quiet enough to remind you of something you wanted to remember.

Life would be so much more orderly if we took several minutes night and morning to sit completely away from outside sights and sounds to recall the important things. As long as we are able to see and hear the activity about us we have difficulty thinking soundly. The conscious mind is capable of carrying just so much, and then the debris must be cleared away before the "filed away" things in the subconscious can be remembered.

"Be still and know......"
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March 8 - Daily Feast

It staggers the imagination to believe we can influence the direction of our lives. But we do it day after day. Every word we speak, everything we believe, builds out consciousness and makes us who we are. If we never expect anything good, it will oblige us by going to someone who does believe in it. What others are doing matters little when we begin to see that we are as unlimited as we say we are. It is in our power to make the difference.

~ Each soul must meet the morning sun, the new sweet earth and the Great Silence alone. ~

OHIYESA - SANTEE DAKOTA

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

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Elder's Meditation of the Day - March 8

"Balance is implicit in the Red Road. When you're on the Red Road, you are in the center. Yet, you do not go to either extreme, and you allow both sides to exist. This is accomplished by continually postponing surrendering to temptation, whatever it may be. It is saying `later' instead of `no.'"

--Dr. A.C. Ross (Ehanamani), LAKOTA

The Sacred Path of life has a middle, a left side, and a right side. As human beings, we are designed to walk this middle path as much as we can. As we walk, we will stray to the left and to the right and come back to the middle. Straying to the left or right side is as sacred as being in the middle. Sometimes we call this straying our mistakes. We are designed by the Creator to walk to Sacred Path of life, and realize that our mistakes are the source of lessons. These lessons give us our wisdom. It is not wrong that we are tempted. What matters is what we do with the temptation.

Great Spirit, today, let me enjoy the Sacred Path of Life.

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THINK on THESE THINGS
By Joyce Sequichie Hifler

It doesn't seem that a simple thing like going fishing could have such excellent results when the world suddenly seems too much. It is a very difficult thing to worry when your mind is fixed intently on a little red and white plastic float bobbing in the water.

Just taking one's mind off the general routine of living for even a short time is like a much needed and appreciated vacation. We seldom recognize the need for getting away from the monotony of following each day with another day exactly like it. We lose the value of the hours and minutes and lump them all together and plod along expecting miracles to come someday and save us.

The effort we have to give is on releasing the problem and concentrating on something beautifully simple and uncomplicated. Living doesn't seem so ominous when we can go fishing for a little peace and quiet, and sidetrack the things that weigh so heavily on our minds.

Good health is such a blessing. We don't all realize how much we aid or harm our own health. In fact, we give much more thoughts to being careful not to get wet than being careful not to get angry. And it is said that anger can lower resistance to colds much quicker than getting wet.

It is a proven fact that to feel love builds a resistance to illnesses while resentment and hate can destroy both mind and body.

Longfellow once wrote that joy, temperance, and repose would slam the door on the doctor's nose. There's no doubt but that most doctors' noses are safe. But they, too, would be glad if more patients would exercise their abilities to lift themselves out of much of their ill health by knowing some measure of joy rather than self pity, some healthy thoughts and less thoughts of self.

We lower our resistance to ill health in many ways, but none works against us as surely as worry, anxiety, and care, plus our inability to recognize the fact that we are our own greatest enemy.
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March 9 - Daily Feast

The reason those we love have so much more power to hurt us is because we are open to them. When we trust in full confidence we are without the usual protection we keep around us for those we do not trust. Never accept words meant to hurt. Turn them back because they are the responsibility of the speaker. When you are caught off guard, hold the emotions in silence for a moment and tell them to be still. It takes longer to forget than it does to forgive - and time heals when we give it the power.

~ The war did not spring up here.... The war was brought here... ~

SPOTTED TAIL - BRULÉ SIOUX

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

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Elder's Meditation of the Day - March 9

"In the life of the Indian there was only one inevitable duty, the duty of prayer, the daily recognition of the Unseen and Eternal. His daily devotions were more necessary to him than daily food."

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

The most important habit one can develop is the daily act of prayer. Prayer is our eyes, our ears, our feelings, our success, our guidance, our life, our duty, our goal. There really is only prayer and meditation. We can only help others through prayer. We can only help ourselves through prayer. You can never become an Elder unless you pray. You can never stay an Elder unless you pray. You never get wisdom unless you pray. You never understand unless you pray.

Great Spirit, today, teach me to pray.

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THINK on THESE THINGS
By Joyce Sequichie Hifler

Surely there is nothing so peaceful to the eye as the quiet, soft-hued hills resting in the autumn sun. We think if we could only get to those hills we could walk in the warmth of that sunlight and feel that peace in every nerve and muscle.

But so frequently we are unable to follow our wills. We are forced to sit where we are. And the very thought of being bound to this spot sometimes makes us restless, perhaps beyond reason. It creates a feeling of panic, that life will never be peaceful.

And then we look up into the limitless sky and see the depths and immensity of the universe, and we know that nothing binds us. That is, unless we want to be bound.

If we were to go to those hills, there would be others in the distance that would look as inviting. To hunt for peace outside ourselves is to ever be in search, and so to be bound again. But to loose that infinitely beautiful truth that peace is never there or there - but here, within me.

Most of us are lovers of familiar things. We love the routine of living, the security of knowing what is going to happen at a certain hour on a certain day. We love the knowledge that we will continue to love others even though we may not like what they are doing at the moment. We find great peace in knowing others will continue to love us even when we've been foolish.

The exciting and livable life is not always one of being on the go, being in entertaining places. The real life of life is not spangles that glitter and one continual round of gaiety.

Life is contentment, living in depth with a genuine love for work seasoned with recreation and freedom to worship where we choose and to pursue our talents as we please.

English author Samuel Johnson tells us that the fountain of content must spring up in the mind; and they who have so little knowledge of human nature as to see happiness by changing anything but their own dispositions will waste their lives in fruitless efforts.
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March 10 - Daily Feast

He had a face that some would say only a mother could love. Long scruffy hair and great ears that old Indians seem to grow later in life. His mouth ran from ear to ear and his nose was sufficient. What a homely face - and why was it so sad? It makes a person wonder what thing happened to bring the tears that seem imminent. He say quietly as thought waiting for time to pass and for things to get better. But three small ones came running and shouting, "Grandfather!" Their bony knees and elbows took him over totally and there was nothing left but joy. Shoulders straightened, eyes twinkled, lips revealed strong white teeth, and happiness took away the years. And so it is with love - the miracle of love.

~ Kinship with all creatures of the earth, shy and water was a real and active principle. ~

LUTHER STANDING BEAR - LAKOTA, 1898

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

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Elder's Meditation of the Day - March 10

"I know Grandpa told me that to smoke is Wakan (holy). The smoke you inhale represents the spirits of everything you put into the pipe. When you breather in the smoke, you are asking to become one with everything or to become whole."

--Dr. A.C. Ross (Enhanamani), LAKOTA

The smoke allows us to go from the Seen World to the Spirit World. It is in the Spirit World where we are all connected. In this way, we can become one with all things. Our pipe is sacred. We need to be respectful of our medicine. When we smoke the pipe, we need to have good thoughts because these thoughts are shared with the Spirit World. The pipe, the smoke, the spirits, our thoughts - these things are Wakan.

Great Spirit, today, let my thoughts be Wakan.

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THINK on THESE THINGS
By Joyce Sequichie Hifler

We all develop our own ways of centering our lives on something. In our minds we each have a design of what we think we are capable of being. If we want to be what we think we are capable of being, then we must hold our design firmly in our minds until it is secured as the focal point.

Each life must have that focal point, that center of interest where all phases of life come together. A focal point gives strength and meaning to the smallest details of everyday living.

Dimension and depth belong to the life that is centered. Though it may take many forms we must always have a "home" to return to, knowing that here are the roots, the things that really matter.

There must be a blending of our lives with others. But to be happy with one's self, that focal point must be steady and true before we can feel contented that "all's right with the world."
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March 11 - Daily Feast

Our perspective sets on us sine days like a jaunty hat - a little askew and not right on target. Such hats make our world our of step - everyone else is off on the wrong foot. These are the times we should pull in our feathers and be very small and unimportant. Wrong may arise from the other side - but why get mixed up in it? This is our little space for which we are responsible and what we see, what we think, and what we say will show what kind of job we are doing.

~ Why don't you talk, and go straight, and let all be well? ~

MOTABATO - SOUTHERN CHEYENNE, 1866

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

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Elder's Meditation of the Day - March 11

"The symbol of wholeness, represented by the medicine wheel, is still being used in D/Lakota ceremonies today. The center where the "X" crosses is considered the home of Tunkasila, Wakan-Tanka, God. I speculated, `If this is the symbol of wholeness, the symbol of the psyche, with Wakan-Tanka at the center, then Wakan-Tanka or God would be within you.'"

--Dr. A.C. Ross (Ehanamani), LAKOTA

The Medicine Wheel represents everything. All the directions originate from the center outward. The center is the home of the Creator. The Medicine Wheel represents the human being. At our center is the home of the Great Spirit. This is why we are spiritual. The easiest way for us to find God and talk to Him, is for us to become centered. This means, relax our bodies, still our minds, let go of our emotions and listen quietly. Shhh. Be still.

My Creator, let me walk in the stillness today.

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THINK on THESE THINGS
By Joyce Sequichie Hifler

There are two words in every life that mean more toward perfecting that life than any other thing. Those two words are the basis for every action. They are "personal responsibility."

Daniel Webster once wrote that the most important thought he ever had was that of his individual responsibility to God. It was his personal responsibility.

No matter how understanding others may be, how kind, and tolerant, there comes a time when we cannot ask, not expect to receive, help in our struggle. There are simply times when other people cannot cover for our poor performance. It soon becomes time for us to stand on our own feet, express our own feelings, and search out our own beliefs.

Others can run interference for us, make excuses for us, and guess at our feelings. But we don't begin to live until we've accepted our personal responsibilities. We must learn to express truth in everything from showing our love to voting in an election.

Life is one personal responsibility after another. Shifting it to another's shoulders loses some of the most important steps. Failure to recognize it is folly; ignoring it is stupidity; and accepting it is to find more truth and more strength than was ever imagined or expected.
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March 12 - Daily Feast

Lichen and sedum are greening along the edge of the woods - a clear sign of spring warming. Wild onions and purple violets edge the fallen logs and moist undergrowth. Attitudes and health improve generously when there is such newness. The grays have faded, the blue jay and cardinal give us color in the evergreen. Bird song fills all the space in the woods and we know the Spirit is blessing us as well. It is spring whose name is beauty.

~ When I was ten years of age I looked at the land and the rivers, the sky above, and the animals around me and could not fail to realize that they were made by some great power. ~

TATANKA-OHITIKA - SIOUX, 1911

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

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Elder's Meditation of the Day - March 12

"The old people say, `Learn from your mistakes'. So I try to accept everything for what it is and to make the best of each situation one day at a time."

--Dr. A.C. Ross (Ehanamani), LAKOTA

The Creator did not design us to beat ourselves up when we make mistakes. Mistakes are our friends. It is from mistakes that we learn. The more mistakes we learn from, the faster we gain wisdom. The faster we gain wisdom, the more we love. The more we love, the fewer our mistakes. Therefore, mistakes help us to learn love. God is love. Mistakes are sacred and help us learn about God's will for ourselves.

Great Spirit, help me, today, to learn from my mistakes.

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THINK on THESE THINGS
By Joyce Sequichie Hifler

At times, Americans seem too easily taken, too docile to political movements, and too indifferent to their own responsibilities as a free people. How easy it is to turn our heads and tell ourselves that there are intelligent people in high authority looking after our interests and that they will never let our freedom be lost. This kind of thinking is a fallacy. America still belongs to the people, and it is up to us to tell our representatives in Washington that we want it kept that way.

We are too easily led to believe that we deserve a way of life that appears free and easy. But seemingly free handouts will eventually take away our freedom unless we decide to personally do something about it.

Americans are known for their ability to start with a little ingenuity and a lot of faith to build powerful financial empires. But in great and small there beats a heart of devotion to God and country. In battle, no one could display more bravery, more determination, or more loyalty than these defenders of America. In the face of seeming defeat, young Americans have stood together and fought courageously.

Now, people of all ages must stand together. We must make our views known to the government. We must continually develop within ourselves moral, physical, and spiritual strength; and we must pray to God - without that faith, all is lost.
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March 13 - Daily Feast

We go to meet life with our measuring cups - so much for health, so much for wealth, so much for contentment. But sometimes we do not realize we have our hand over the opening and nothing can get in. The u wo yi is the hand that is controlled by the mind - the mind that asks what we deserve, and how much is possible. Hasn't this clan always been in need and not well? How can we expect to be any different? Because we can think and speak and pray. And best of all we can break the chains that have held generations in poverty and poor health. It can be done, and it should be done.

~ Everything as it moves, now and then, here and there, makes stops. ~

DAKOTA WISEMAN, 1800s

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

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Elder's Meditation of the Day - March 13

"I went to a holy man and asked him for help. He told me to get on the Red Road. `Pray to Wakan-Tanka (Great Spirit) to help you walk the Red Road."

--Dr. A.C. Ross (Ehanamani), LAKOTA

All Indian traditions, customs and ceremonies help us answer three questions: who am I?, why am I?, and where am I going? Only on the Red Road can we find the answer to these three questions. When we can answer these three questions, we are on the Red Road. When we cannot, we have gone astray. That is why the Holy Men tell us to pray to the Great Spirit and to seek the Red Road. Why am I? My purpose is the serve the Great Spirit. Who am I? I am an Indian who walks the Red Road. Where am I going? My vision is to serve my people.

Great Spirit, when I know You, only then do I know me. Help me today to know You.

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THINK on THESE THINGS
By Joyce Sequichie Hifler

Have you ever stood on the sidelines and watched the drama of your own difficulties being acted out in someone else's life? Does it provide a feeling of gratitude that here I will witness something that will help me solve my own problem? Or does it invite a feeling of smugness that they were not so capable of hiding theirs as I have been of concealing mine?

Hiding one's difficulties can be compared to concealing an elephant. The only possible way to keep it a secret would be to keep it from those who could care less in the first place. If they were face to face with your elephant they would register little surprise and proceed immediately to forget it.

If fact, there is considerable danger in looking down on those who are trying to get their lives on the right track. At least they have the intestinal fortitude to try. And to pretend that one has nothing to overcome is merely polishing the front glass while the back door falls away.

Smugness or compassion? It was Cowper who reminded us, "Man may dismiss compassion from his heart, but God never will."

[Liana]

Native American Apache Shamanism: The Ranger Prayer








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[Liana]

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[Liana]

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Jim Page - Anna Mae Pictou Aquash - Native American Indian - Incident Lakota Oglala Sioux




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