I believe that there is a massive amount of wisdom and insight in the Old ways of the American Indian. This is just one of many that speaks to me.....
"Whenever, in the course of the daily hunt, the hunter comes upon a scene that is strikingly beautiful, or sublime - a black thundercloud with the rainbow's glowing arch above the mountain, a white waterfall in the heart of a green gorge, a vast prairie tinged with the blood-red of the sunset - he pauses for an instant in the attitude of worship.
He sees no need for a setting apart one day in seven as a holy day, because to him all days are God's days."
Charles Alexander Eastman (Ohiyesa)
Elksong,
Thanks for sharing. Good words to live by.
How very true
You got that right....thanks for sharing!
One of my favorite quotes from anyone.
"So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart.
Trouble no one about their religion; respect others in their view, and demand that they respect yours.
Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life. Seek to make your life long and its purpose in the service of your people.
Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide.
Always give a word or a sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend, even a stranger, when in a lonely place.
Show respect to all people and grovel to none.
When you arise in the morning give thanks for the food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies only in yourself.
Abuse no one and no thing, for abuse turns the wise ones to fools and robs the spirit of its vision.
When it comes your time to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with the fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Sing your death song and die like a hero going home."
Chief Tecumseh, Shawnee Nation
That is a great one also!
good one chuck.
hey elksong, you ever read Eastman's book Indian Boyhood. it is a facinating story if you haven't and goes into some detail about food preservations etc... i highly recommend it for folks with an interest/sensitivity towards indigenous folks, like a lot of us traditional archers. :)
GA -No I have not, but will definantly look into it. Thank you.