Elder's Meditation of the Day - August 21

 Elder's Meditation of the Day - August 21            

"The greater the faith, the greater the result."  
-- Fools Crow, LAKOTA  

The Creator designed us to act on faith. We are able to do this by holding firm to our
beliefs. If we believe something and if we don't want the belief to change, we need to
add the power of the Great Spirit to this belief. We must always have the spiritual added
to our beliefs. If we don't add the Spirit, then we may very well change our minds the
first time we are tested. Each time we are tested and we don't change our minds, we get
stronger. The wind may blow on the red willow trees bending them and causing the roots
to grow deeper. The more the wind bends the tree, the bigger, stronger, and deeper the
roots grow. We should be happy that we are tested. It's the Creator's way of making us
have greater faith for greater results.     
           
Great Mystery, Grandfather, I know if I am tested today that I can count on You to give
me the courage to get to the other side. On the other side of every test is the reward of
strength. Make me strong. 

Elder's Meditation of the Day - August 20

 Elder's Meditation of the Day - August 20            

"...remember and think about the closeness of Wanka-Tanka.
If they live in this wisdom, it will give them endless strength
and hope."      
-- Fools Crow, LAKOTA  

The value of staying close to the Creator is the immediate help we have available to
us whenever we need it. I can listen to the whisper of my heart for this is the place
He communicates with me. Staying close helps me remember that we are here to serve
Him and to help other people. The Grandfathers are my direct access to wisdom. He
who has wisdom has everything. If we have wisdom, then we will see our lives become
more effective in the areas of jobs, relationships, family, friends, and finances.      
       
My Creator, today grant me the wisdom to seek Your wisdom. Help me to Walk of the
Red Road.

Elder's Meditation of the Day - August 19

 Elder's Meditation of the Day - August 19            

"If we keep everything in balance, we are in harmony with
ourselves and are at peace."              
-- Fools Crow, LAKOTA  

As within, as without, our present thought determines our future. If we want peace
outside ourselves, we must first have peace inside ourselves. It's not what is going
on but how we are looking at what is going on. We need to keep ourselves in balance.
We must be careful to not get too hungry, angry, lonely. or tired. We must know the
times - time to work, time to rest, time to play, time to sleep, time to pray, time to
lighten up, time to laugh, time to eat, time to exercise. There is a saying "The honor
of one is the honor of all." This means when we work with all, we need to also work
on one. We need to take care of ourselves. You cannot give away what you don't have.         

Great Spirit, let me walk in balance today. Remove from me resentment, self pity, and
self seeking motives. Let me love myself so I can love my neighbors

Elder's Meditation of the Day - August 18

 Elder's Meditation of the Day - August 18            

"You have to have confidence in your own ability to be able to
go it alone, to go against what the rest of the culture is doing."            
-- Eunice Baumann-Nelson, Ph.D., PENOBSCOT

God, this is hard. Today, allow me to be a Warrior. Let me be strong. Let Your voice
be clear to me. Let me hear Your guidance. My goal today is to serve You, to develop
myself to be the kind of Indian person that You would have me be. To Walk the Red
Road must sometimes be walked alone.    

Great Spirit, let me walk the Red Road today with the confidence that You are with me.
If I fall, I will quickly ask You to help me know what I should do next.

Elder's Meditation of the Day - August 17

 Elder's Meditation of the Day - August 17            

"If a child hasn't been given spiritual values within the family
setting, they have no familiarity with the values that are
necessary for the just and peaceful functioning in society."        
-- Eunice Baumann-Nelson, Ph.D, PENOBSCOT  

When we are born, we start with a beautiful empty mind ready to be given our beliefs,
attitudes, habits and expectations. Most of our true learning comes from watching the
actions of others. As we watch our family or relatives, whatever their actions and values
are, so will be the children's values and acts. If we see our families living a just and peaceful
way of life, so then will the children. If we see our family shouting, arguing, and hateful, so
will it be for the children. The cycle of life - baby, youth, adult and Elder is all connected. If
the older ones have good values, it will be connected to the children.       
 
Oh my Creator, if there are values I have missed, it is not too late. I can get them from You.
Teach me today Your spiritual values. Respect, trust, giving, honesty, wisdom - teach me these

Elder's Meditation of the Day - August 16

 Elder's Meditation of the Day - August 16            

"The best teachers have shown me that things have to be done
bit by bit. Nothing that means anything happens quickly - we
only think it does."                
-- Joseph Bruchac, ABENAKI       

There are no short cuts. Every tree must grow according to the growth plan of the
Creator. Every flower must grow according to the plan of God. The moon must make
its trip around the earth according to God's plan. Every human being must grow according
to the plan of the Creator. Sometimes we look at ourselves and we think we are not growing
but we are always growing. Because we cannot see it with our mind does not mean it is not
happening. We must be patient with ourselves and let the Creator direct our growth.   

My Creator, let me be patient. Let me realize that You are in charge of all things. Let me realize
that I must grow my roots a little at a time to become strong.

Elder's Meditation of the Day - August 15

 Elder's Meditation of the Day - August 15 

"There are many people who could claim and learn from their
Indian ancestry, but because of the fear their parents and
grandparents knew, because of past and present prejudice
against Indian people, that part of their heritage is clouded
or denied." 
-- Joseph Bruchac, ABENAKI 

There were many injustices done to Native people. Sometimes I wonder; why am I
connected to the past injustices done to Indian people? Why am I so angry about the
past? The Elders say our ancestors are alive within each of us. Therefore, I may
experience anger and resentment inside of me because of the injustice done to them.
The way I get rid of these past feelings is to forgive. It may be necessary to even learn
to forgive the unforgivable. 

Great Spirit, teach me the path of forgiveness; teach me the courage to forgive; teach
me to let go. Give to me a forgiving heart.