Elder's Meditation of the Day - September 12

 Elder's Meditation of the Day - September 12    

"If you get troubled, go and sit by the river. The flowing water
will take your troubles away."     
-- Joe Coyhis, STOCKBRIDGE-MUNSEE   

Sometimes we get mixed up and we don't know what to do. Go to the river or creek.
Take your sage and tobacco; sit and be still. Talk to the water, offer tobacco and the
healing water will take your problems downstream. Give thanks.                

Great Spirit, heal my mind today, let me see love.

Elder's Meditation of the Day - September 11

 Elder's Meditation of the Day - September 11    

"Listen to all the teachers in the woods. Watch the trees, the
animals, and all living things - you'll learn more from them
than from books."   
-- Joe Coyhis, STOCKBRIDGE-MUNSEE   

Nature is a living example of how communities live in harmony. If you go into the
forest or mountain and sit still and watch, ask yourself, what lessons are being taught?
Then watch how the animals conduct themselves. The trees could represent diversity.
The flowers could represent people. Notice how everything in nature assists one another.
See how balance works. See how conflict is handled. Can you see acts of forgiveness? Can
you spot respect? Nature is full of wisdom if we will only consider her to be our teacher.  

My Creator, today let me learn from nature.

Elder's Meditation of the Day - September 10

 Elder's Meditation of the Day - September 10    

"One of the first things Seneca children learned was that they
might create their own world, their own environment, by
visualizing actions and desires in prayer. The Senecas believed
that everything that made life important came from within.
Prayer assisted in developing a guideline toward discipline and
self control."            
-- Twylah Nitcsh, SENECA       
     
All permanent and lasting change starts first on the inside and works its way out.
Having constant prayer and Creator directed visions helps us to live in harmony.
This is the best way to grow strong and become a Warrior. No matter what is going
on outside of ourselves, it is our projection that makes it so. It is our projections that
even give it any meaning. Another way is each day to turn our life and our will over to
the care of the Great Spirit. Then He will show us His desire for us. When we are in
alignment to His desire, we become very joyful and very happy.     

Oh Great Spirit, You take care of me today and tell me what I can do for You today.
Give me the discipline to talk to You whenever I am in doubt or fear. Let me come to
You if I get irritated. You are my solution.

Elder's Meditation of the Day - September 9

 Elder's Meditation of the Day - September 9      

"...[W]isdom comes only when you stop looking for it and start
truly living the life the Creator intended for you."                
-- Lelia Fisher, HOH         

There are many things that block us from wisdom such as; selfishness, secrets, hate,
anger, jealousy and judgments. Another thing that can block us from wisdom is trying
too hard or wishing something would happen. Wishing implies doubt and trying implies
control. We need to let go of these things. We need to abandon ourselves to the Creator.
As soon as we surrender everything, the wisdom starts to flow. The Elders know how to
help us with this. Just ask them.   

My Great Spirit, today I surrender my life and my will to Your care

Elder's Meditation of the Day - September 8

 Elder's Meditation of the Day - September 8      

"Keep your life simple because the more you get, the more
complicated it becomes."  
-- Joe Coyhis, STOCKBRIDGE-MUNSEE
  
The old ones say, lead a simple life. The society we live in is all about getting more
houses, cars, luxury and credit cards. The law of worry says, the more you have, the
more you need to worry. You get a house, then you need insurance, then you need to
take care of the yard and the list goes on. Next, you may want a bigger house with a
bigger yard which costs more in insurance. Along with the accumulation of materialism,
are other "gifts." Soon you become a slave and the materialism owns you. Lead a simple
life and have peace of mind. Lead a simple life and be spiritual.              

Creator, let my foundation be spiritual and simple.

Elder's Meditation of the Day - September 7

 

Elder's Meditation of the Day - September 7       "Education is the new weapon of Indian people."             -- Eddie Box, SOUTHERN UTE      People have the ability to adapt. In these modern times we must get educated so the people don't lose. We need lawyers, doctors, nurses, foresters, scientists, educators, carpenters, welders. These skills are needed to help the people. While we are learning, we need to remember to keep the culture, learn the dances, sing the songs, learn the language and maintain the Red Road for future generations.              Great Spirit, let my education never lack the meaning and value of spirituality.

Elder's Meditation of the Day - September 6

 Elder's Meditation of the Day - September 6      

"We all form self-images and much of our behavior is pretty
well determined by how we feel about ourselves."                
-- Eunice Baumann-Nelson, Ph.D., PENOBSCOT

There is a cycle of building beliefs called the self talk cycle. Our self talk builds our
self image and our self image determines our behavior, our actions, and our self worth -
how we feel about ourselves. If we want to change the way we feel about ourselves we
need to change our self talk. We need to build ourselves up. We need to talk to ourselves
in a kind, positive, uplifting, good way. We need to talk to ourselves about the good things
that are happening and know that we are worthy and expect abundance.            

Oh Great Spirit, today help me to know myself. Help me to see the joy, kindness, strength
and beauty that I am.

Elder's Meditation of the Day - September 5

 Elder's Meditation of the Day - September 5      

"Decisions that have been made for the last couple of centuries
have been decisions made without the presence of a real God....
from the vision, not of God, but of money."             
-- Tom Porter, MOHAWK     
        

As we view the world today, it's easy to see the people are off track. We are no longer
living in harmony. Focusing on the material only leads us from the path of the Creator.
We must now pray for ourselves and the people in a pitiful way. We must be humble
and ask the Great Spirit to intervene because if we don't, our children will continue to
have troubles. They are acting out our behavior as adults. Today is a good time to start.
We need to get the spiritual way back into our lives. We need to focus on the spiritual.         

My Creator, help me to focus on the spiritual way

Elder's Meditation of the Day - September 4

 Elder's Meditation of the Day - September 4      

"the Elders say that if you want something good, you have to
suffer for it."        
-- Chuck Ross, LAKOTA

People sometimes have a misconception of sacrifice. This is a strong word for Indian
people. On the other side of sacrifice is another whole world. During sacrifice, our
beliefs are tested. We may all have good beliefs but if you test a good belief, then you
get real beliefs. Real beliefs make new people; real beliefs make new self images. Real
beliefs allow determination and desires and faith to come true. Good is always available
to us but we often can't bring it within until we let go of the old ways. We let go of the old
ways by suffering. Suffering is only letting go of things that don't work anymore. On the
other side of suffering is a new world.

Creator, help me to let go of old ways. Let my old thoughts and beliefs be abandoned. Every
change is preceded by struggle. Help me go through the struggle today.

Elder's Meditation of the Day - September 3

 Elder's Meditation of the Day - September 3      

"Once you have achieved this oneness, when you talk, God
talks; when you act, God acts."       
-- Chuck Ross, LAKOTA

In my innermost self, I know this to be true. I know of this oneness. The more I
am free of doubt, jealousy, judgment, selfishness, anger, the closer I am to this
oneness. When I am right with the Creator, nothing can touch me. When I am right
with the Creator I always say the right things. When I am right with the Creator, my
thoughts are always good. When I am right with the Creator, my actions are always
good.              

Great Spirit, remove from me those things that block me from You. Allow me this day
to experience the oneness

Elder's Meditation of the Day - September 2

 Elder's Meditation of the Day - September 2      

"I remember Dawson (No Horse) said, 'Once you say your
prayers, don't worry about them. If you worry about them,
they'll just fade away.'"  
-- Chuck Ross, LAKOTA

Today I need to remember You are everywhere. I need to remember how much You
love me. I need to know, Grandfathers, that You are always listening. Today I need to
know how much You care. Today I will remember the advice of the Elders. "Say your
prayers and then don't worry - know that the Great One has heard you." It's so much
easier to do this, Grandfather, when I feel connected to You.    

My Creator, allow me this day to feel your presence. Let me walk the path of life today
and talk to You many times. Give me faith, my Grandfather

Elder's Meditation of the Day - September 1

 Elder's Meditation of the Day - September 1      

"Everyone has a song. God gives us each a song. That's how we know
who we are. Our song tells us who we are."                
-- Charlie Knight, UTE    

As we start to walk the Red Road and as we develop ourselves as Warriors, a song will come to us.
This song is given to each of us from the Great Spirit. Whenever we sing this song, we will receive
courage and strength, not only for ourselves but if we sing this song for others, it will also help them.
The song will give us power and make us feel really good. The song will make us see life in a sacred
way. If you don't have your song yet, ask the Creator in prayer if He will give you your song. With the
song comes a responsibility - the responsibility to act and conduct oneself as a Warrior according to
your song.       
         
Oh my Creator, let me live my song. Let my song honor Your way of life. Let me sing my song each
day. At the end of today, let my song tell people who I am. I am a beautiful child of the Creator. 

Elder's Meditation of the Day - August 31

 Elder's Meditation of the Day - August 31            

"Our Creator makes available to us all that we need. It is
an honor to go out and gather it. We must remember to
say 'Thank  You.' It is honorable to give away, to show
our gratitude... and to let the children see this."          
-- Barney Bush, SHAWNEE     
     
So many times we forget to say "thank You" to the Creator. He made for us an
abundant universe. He built the Mother Earth to reproduce plenty of everything.
It is an honor to be a part of the Great Spirit's world. The Creator always gives us
what we need. When we are given things, we should be willing to share it with
others. Whenever we give to others, this makes us feel good inside. The more
we give, the better we feel. The better we feel, the more we want to give. We
need to teach this to our children. The children learn by our behavior.            

My Creator, thank you for today. Thank you for the sun. Thank you for the earth.
Thank you for my life. Thank you for......

Elder's Meditation of the Day - August 30

 Elder's Meditation of the Day - August 30            

"I started drinking more seriously, seeking refuge, seeking
death actually, from a world that was feeling more and more
unnatural to me. Following a painful accident related to drinking,
I finally realized that I must decide whether I want to follow my
grandparents or truly take up this life. Circumstances that followed
led me to choose life."    
-- Barney Bush, SHAWNEE          

My life is run by choices and decisions. Every choice I make today will carry with it the
consequences of that choice. Every decision I make today will carry with it the consequences
of that decision. The question I will ask myself today is, "Do I want to be happy or do I want
to be right?" Which ever one I choose will have a lot to do with the consequences I will
experience today. If today was the last day of my life, what choices and what decisions
would I make?

Oh Great Spirit, guide my path today and help me see the value of choosing the Red Road.

Elder's Meditation of the Day - August 29

 Elder's Meditation of the Day - August 29            

"The devastated earth, the air, water, the extinct species of
mankind, animalkind, and plantkind, the drugs, suicides,
family separations - these are all the result of false ceremonies."             
-- Barney Bush, SHAWNEE   
       
All life is a ceremony. Every act is a ceremony creating a result in our lives. Every
ceremony we do always brings results to our lives. If we do bad medicine to others,
we do bad medicine to ourselves. If we keep on doing bad ceremonies, we will
eventually destroy ourselves. Any time we live our lives out of harmony, we are
doing bad ceremonies. Any time we treat anything with disrespect whether it is
another human being or a plant or an animal, we are performing bad ceremonies.
These ceremonies not only have an effect on ourselves but will simultaneously
affect everything. We need to use our power well, only do good ceremonies.
  
My Creator, teach me only good ceremonies. Teach me ceremonies that accomplish
good for all the people. Good ceremonies cause good results. Teach me ceremonies
that are helpful. 

Elder's Meditation of the Day - August 28

 Elder's Meditation of the Day - August 28            

"With prayer and good intentions, we make our lives sacred
and come into balance."    
-- Don Jose Matsua, HUICHOL SIERRA MADRE MEXICO  

Only through prayer can we make spiritual changes that are permanent. You have
told us that all life is sacred. Today I intend to serve you, my Creator. Allow me to
overcome temptation, and if one comes along, let me see the lessons that will give
balance. You have told us that all life is sacred. Let me see today with a sacred eye.
Let me see beauty in all things.       

My Creator, let me know what You would have me be today. Let my intentions be honest,
respectful, humble, and loving.

Elder's Meditation of the Day - August 27

 Elder's Meditation of the Day - August 27            

"We begin by letting the Powers know that we are willing to
be their servants to others."           
-- Fools Crow, LAKOTA  

There are certain prayers or actions we can take that will call the Powers. The Powers
can only work through the people. The Powers are always waiting to express themselves
through people that are ready. Every person born is born with a purpose. They have a
song to sing. They have a mission to accomplish. Every true purpose will always be
about serving the Creator and helping others. When we let the Powers know that we
are ready to serve the people, the Powers get excited because they can now do things
to help the people and make things better for them. The decision is powerful because
it turns an idea into action.  
            
Great Spirit, the greatest joy or feeling that I have ever experienced is when you are
using me to help the people, the feeling of giving, the feeling of being your channel.
Today, let me have that feeling of giving. Use me as You will.