Health fills the body and eager anticipation absorbs the person who see the blue, blue sky and gives thanks. The sky is the flyway of the bird, whose freedom is to light and go at will, who swiftly builds a nest and lines it with soft down to cradle tiny eggs. When evening shadows fall upon the earth and a lone jet cuts the puffy clouds with straight lines, it does not bother the birds. They chirp and murmur night sounds and settle down to sleep. Only the owl and the nightingale call in mysterious tones. And sometimes the mockingbird, having recorded too many songs, must relieve itself with a midnight medley.
~ We forget and think we are all there is. ~
Jane Sequichie Hifler
"A Cherokee Feast of Days, Volume II" by Joyce Sequichie Hifler
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Elder's Meditation of the Day - May 14
"Prayer is the best answer to all of the trials that face us, because without prayer, even if we succeed in accomplishing some great goal in the eyes of men, we have failed in our sacred responsibilities, and thus we have failed in what is truly important."
--Thomas Yellowtail, CROW
What are our sacred responsibilities? One is to be of maximum service to the Creator, and two is to serve the people. In a way, it's like the Great Spirit is the employer and we are the employees. We live each day, do what we do, accomplish our goals, face our difficulties, overcome them all to the Glory of the Creator. We do these things to make Him proud! Even if we work for a company, agency or tribe, they are not really our employer; the Creator is our employer. Working for the Creator is better than working for a human being, because each night we can talk to the Creator and ask Him, "Well, how did I do today?" He answers back each night, "I'm proud of you, my child; sleep well, and in the morning I'll give you a new set of growing experiences."
Great Spirit, today, let me work for you. You will be my new boss.
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THINK on THESE THINGS
By Joyce Sequichie Hifler
In every society there always seem to be people who feel it is their duty to read the riot act to whomever, in their opinion, is in need of it at the moment. Come be my friend until I have time to let you know the things you're doing wrong. This is a committee of one, in all my busy days....taking time to straighten out all who are not conforming to my ideas.
Who, in all the world, has so much wisdom as to consider themselves so forever right.... To be capable of such certainty as to what another person should do. And even if they should be right, who commissioned them in all their wisdom to speak the words that have such power to wither a spirit.
When the world has so much hurt, why should one voice be raised against another who has not spoken an unkind word in its direction. When even the strongest is so in need of compassion and love, why is one voice, sharp and edged and driven deep, allowed to speak.
Our words can build or destroy. And we never really know just when something we say may make a decision for someone else, to give them courage or further fear. But God help all who have not learned that the words we speak come back to us....many times.
Aho , Amen , e-men .
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May 13 - Daily Feast
Ana sk'tee - the month of May, the beautiful month when much has been planted and will be planted. We pray for sunshine and showers of rain, for the opportunity to cultivate and start anew. Ana sk'tee for the soul. May is be as beautiful as the season and as thrilling as the shimmering plums along the ridges that waft perfume and fluttering petals. Springs will spout water to the deeper places for an abundance of fish and the birds will sing in harmony. We truly are God's children; let us be grateful.
~ There was but one ruling power, and that was good. ~
STANDING BEAR, 1933
"A Cherokee Feast of Days, Volume II" by Joyce Sequichie Hifler
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Elder's Meditation of the Day - May 13
"But the Great Spirit has provided you and me with an opportunity for study in nature's university, the forests, the rivers, the mountains, and the animals which include us."
---- Walking Buffalo, STONEY
What we really need to learn is how to live life. Nature is the greatest university when we want to learn about balance, harmony, the Natural Laws and how to live life. But we will never learn unless we spend time in the "living university." Nature is full of examples, lessons, and exercises about life. Nature will help humans learn. Nature will help humans heal. Nature will help with Medicine, knowledge and healing. The reason our Elders are so wise is because they have attended the right educational system - nature's university.
Great Spirit, help me to become wise.
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THINK on THESE THINGS
By Joyce Sequichie Hifler
So often it is difficult to know where the line lies between kindness and domineering. It doesn't sound as if the two could possibly mix, but sometimes in our watchfulness over those we care about we're inclined to think it a kind of goodness when it actually becomes domineering.
It is often the best and kindest thing to let the others think for themselves. Even though the helpfulness is of love, it can be smothering to the ones who want to breathe freely, even of their own problems.
Concern can turn to possessiveness in the space of a moment and do it so subtly it is almost impossible to comprehend. All individuals have the right to make their own mistakes and also the undeniable right to correct those mistakes. It makes help appreciated when it comes and then help is recognized as help and not as ownership.
If we were all told what to do, it would relieve us of the burden of the responsibility of thinking, planning, or making decisions. Our lives would be literally free of care. And there are those among us who love to direct the traffic of other people's lives. But have you notices how detestable it is to them to have the smallest suggestion made concerning their own? What a display of vanity!
There are always sycophants, or "apple polishers", if you will, who fawn and flatter the vanity. But to have one's vanity built to great heights is not always an act of love, but more often subtle scorn.
Love is the only force against vanity. Love does not wish to command, but only to serve. If love cannot tell the truth it does not speak. Vanity separates, love joins. Love does not ask that another take the responsibility, but it asks only the strength to bear it.
Aho , Amen , e-men .
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We need to practice controlling our focus on whatever we wish to attain in life
What we focus and practice doing we can usually do. We become what we focus on becoming and we develop and practice. Musicians are not born they are developed
by focusing on their craft and by daily practice..Good Leaders are not born they are developed..Success in business is not given it is earned through focus and development..
Anyone can become a parent but good parenting takes focus and practice..Anything we are successful at we become successful through our focus and practice..
We need to maintain our focus and practice doing those things we wish to become more proficient at and not deviate. We need to practice controlling our focus and keeping our thinking focused...
Each of us must focus and practice what we wish to develop more fully or maintain.... Without focus and continuous practice even those things we were once successful at will decay and we will no longer be as proficient as we once were..
If you have a chance to make life better for others and fail to do so,
you are wasting your time on Earth. No matter what our station in life,
we are here to serve, even if that sometimes means making the greatest
sacrifice of all.
Aho , Amen , e-men .
Elder's Meditation of the Day - May 14
"Prayer is the best answer to all of the trials that face us, because without prayer, even if we succeed in accomplishing some great goal in the eyes of men, we have failed in our sacred responsibilities, and thus we have failed in what is truly important."
--Thomas Yellowtail, CROW
What are our sacred responsibilities? One is to be of maximum service to the Creator, and two is to serve the people. In a way, it's like the Great Spirit is the employer and we are the employees. We live each day, do what we do, accomplish our goals, face our difficulties, overcome them all to the Glory of the Creator. We do these things to make Him proud! Even if we work for a company, agency or tribe, they are nor really our employer; the Creator is our employer. Working for the Creator is better than working for a human being, because each night we can talk to the Creator and ask Him, "Well, how did I do today?" He answers back each night, "I'm proud of you, my child; sleep well, and in the morning I'll give you a new set of growing experiences."
Great Spirit, today, let me work for you. You will be my new boss.
Aho , Amen , e-men .
Elder's Meditation of the Day - May 13
"But the great spirit has provided you and me with an opportunity for study in nature's university, the forests, the rivers, the mountains, and the animals which include us."
---- Walking Buffalo, STONEY
What we really need to learn is how to live life. Nature is the greatest university when we want to learn about balance, harmony, the Natural Laws and how to live life. But we will never learn unless we spend time in the "living university." Nature is full of examples, lessons, and exercises about life. Nature will help humans learn. Nature will help humans heal. Nature will help with Medicine, knowledge and healing. The reason our Elders are so wise is because they have attended the right educational system - nature's university.
Great Spirit, help me to become wise.
Aho , Amen , e-men .
Code Of Ethics
1. Rise with the sun to pray. Pray alone. Pray often. The Great Spirit will listen, if you only speak.
2. Be tolerant of those who are lost on their path. Ignorance, conceit, anger, jealousy and greed stem from a lost soul. Pray that they will find guidance.
3. Search for yourself, by yourself. Do not allow others to make your path for you. It is your road, and yours alone. Others may walk it with you, but no one can walk it for you.
4. Treat the guests in your home with much consideration. Serve them the best food, give them the best bed and treat them with respect and honor.
5. Do not take what is not yours whether from a person, a community, the wilderness or from a culture. It was not earned nor given. It is not yours.
6. Respect all things that are placed upon this earth - whether it be people or plant.
7. Honor other peoples' thoughts, wishes and words. Never interrupt another or mock or rudely mimic them. Allow each person the right to personal expression.
8. Never speak of others in a bad way. The negative energy that you put out into the universe will multiply when it returns to you.
9. All persons make mistakes. And all mistakes can be forgiven.
10. Bad thoughts cause illness of the mind, body and spirit. Practice optimism.
11. Nature is not for us, it is a part of us - part of your worldly family.
12. Children are the seeds of our future. Plant love in their hearts and water them with wisdom and life's lessons. When they are grown, give them space to grow.
13. Avoid hurting the hearts of others. The poison of your pain will return to you.
14. Be truthful at all times. Honesty is the test of ones will within this universe.
15. Keep yourself balanced. Your Mental self, Spiritual self, Emotional self, and Physical self - all need to be strong, pure and healthy. Work out the body to strengthen the mind. Grow rich in spirit to cure emotional ails.
16. Make conscious decisions as to who you will be and how you will react. Be responsible for your own actions.
17. Respect the privacy and personal space of others. Do not touch the personal property of others - especially sacred and religious objects. This is forbidden.
18. Be true to yourself first. You cannot nurture and help others if you cannot nurture and help yourself first.
19. Respect others religious beliefs. Do not force your belief on others.
20. Share your good fortune with others. Participate in charity.
Code Of Ethics
Yes, this is our code, that we were taught as children. It is not usually given out for others. I don't know why. It is taught around the camp fire. Stressed to be a walk with the Great Spirit. I can't always walk in the mocs that are laid before me but I do try.
This is what we couldn't understand. They told us that we must cut our hair, yet they showed us a picture of Jesus that we must follow and his hair was long. They told us that to fight for our rights and beliefs was wrong, yet they sang a song Onward Christian Soldier. They told us to be giving, yet when we shared our things they called us foolish. Why don't they do as they teach. Why do they come to us for freedom of religion, yet our religion can not be practiced anymore, because it is wrong and pagan. Yet we believe in the Great Creator. Why do they say we worship the trees and the rocks. When they also say that their God is in everything and everywhere. Is this not the same? Walk each day as there is a prayer in your steps and you will not be far from the creator.
Here is something I always told my children when they had a decision to make. It doesn't make any difference if the decision is large, important, or small.
No one can walk in your moccasins for you, they can walk with you, but not for you.
If you have a chance to make life better for others and fail to do so,
you are wasting your time on Earth. No matter what our station in life,
we are here to serve, even if that sometimes means making the greatest
sacrifice of all.
Aho , Amen , e-men .
TWO EAGLES
TWO EAGLES SOARED IN SPIRIT DREAMS,
THEY TRIED TO REACH THE SUN SIDE BY SIDE THEY FREELY SOARED,THEIR JOURNEY JUST BEGUN.
THEY SOARED UNTIL THE BREAK OF DAY
THEN SOARED THROUGH THE NIGHT THEY SOARED PAST THE STARLIT MOON
WITH STARDUST IN THEIR FLIGHT ALTHOUGH THEY SAW THROUGH DIFFERENT EYES,
THE LIGHT SOURCE WAS THE SAME. IT BATHED AND WARMED THEM BOTH THROUGH LIFE AND KNEW THEM BOTH BY NAME.
ONE EAGLE SAID, "YOU DON"T SEE LIGHT EXACTLY AS I DO....
SEE THROUGH MY EYES AND NOT THROUGH YOURS,,, OR A WING I'LL PULL FROM YOU!
"THIS CANNOT BE,WHAT CAN YOU MEAN,WITHOUT A WING I'LL "DIE.
I'LL FALL TO THE EARTH,NO LIGHT I'LL SEE,NO LONGER WILL I FLY". "UNLESS YOU SEE THROUGH MY EYES,YOU'LL DIE ANYWAY!
SO I'LL JUST PULL YOUR WING OFF NOW,AND SEND YOU ON YOUR WAY! THE EAGLES WING HE THEN DID PLUCK AND SMILED UP TO THE SUN. "I, SAVED ONE MORE FROM SEEING LIGHT THROUGH EYES NOT MINE....IT'S DONE.
THE SUN LOOKED DOWN,AND IT DID FROWN AT WHAT THE EAGLE DID,
AND CRIED TEARS OF WHITE-HOT GRIEF, FROM TEARS THE EAGLE HID. "MY HEART IS BROKE BY WHAT YOU'VE DONE,YOU'VE PLUCKED THEM FROM THE LIGHT.
"I, SHINE MY LIGHT FOR ALL TO SEE, I LOVE THEM WITH MY MIGHT!!!
"YOUR EYES ARE YOUR'S TO SE THE LIGHT THE WAY YOUR EYES WILL SEE,
HOW OTHER'S SEE THE LIGHT THROUGH THEIRS,IS THEIRS....NOW LET THEM BE!
If you have a chance to make life better for others and fail to do so,
you are wasting your time on Earth. No matter what our station in life,
we are here to serve, even if that sometimes means making the greatest
sacrifice of all.
Aho , Amen , e-men .
Four Sacred Directions in the Universal Circle of LifeFour Sacred Directions in the Universal Circle of Life, are observed in the Cherokee Tradition. Each represents a specific color, direction, attribute of learning focus, and path to follow.This clockwise circle represents the spiral of life, with the directional energy that influences it. The Center is for the Creator, and the Four Directions of the Universal Circle. The Four Directions provide guidance in understanding our behaviors and directions. The Directions provide us balance and we must find the harmony in relationship to all that exists in our environment.The Four Directions also connect us with the spirit of the animals and birds as our brothers and sisters in the Universal Circle. In traditional teachings, the circle represents an omni-present energy that exists in the universe -
which is, the never-ending Circle of Life.EAST SOUTH WEST NORTHColor - RedDirection - SpiritualPath of Sun Color - WhiteDirection - NaturalPath of Peace Color - BlackDirection - PhysicalPath of Introspect Color - BlueDirection - MentalPath of defeat
If you have a chance to make life better for others and fail to do so,
you are wasting your time on Earth. No matter what our station in life,
we are here to serve, even if that sometimes means making the greatest
sacrifice of all.
Aho , Amen , e-men .
Everyday is Mother's Day.
Modern society sets aside one day a year to recognize and honor our mothers, but in the old ways, we are taught that every day is Mother's day. Every day is another opportunity to let our elders know how much we appreciate and value the lessons they bring to us...even when the lessons are hard. The same applies to Father's day.
So I wish to say to every female who walks this path with us that we honor you each day. Whether you have children or not (even if they are four-legged, winged ones, or water creatures) your contribution to this world does not go unnoticed. Mothers, sisters, aunts, daughters, all of you are beautiful. All of you are indepensible, for without you there would be no family.
I say this not just for today, but for every day. Thank you!
And to the men who sometimes fill the capacity of both mother and father, you are incredible. We honor you today, as well as each day. And I say thank you to all the fathers, uncles, and brothers for all you bring us. For without you there would be no family.
I am humbled to be part of your lives.
Wado,
Waterbird aka Weighs The Truth
If you have a chance to make life better for others and fail to do so,
you are wasting your time on Earth. No matter what our station in life,
we are here to serve, even if that sometimes means making the greatest
sacrifice of all.
Aho , Amen , e-men .
Walk in Balance
Our lives are made up of both positive and negative things and we need both to live..
When we think of positive things we think of smiling,laughing,eating wonderful tasting foods and many other delightful things..We think of bright lit areas when we think of positive things and we associate bright colors to things that are positive..
It is preferable to walk mostly on the sunny side of life the positive side but in order to more fully appreciate the good things in our life we do need to have a few not so good negative things to balance us out.. Light could not exist without darkness and good health could not exist with out a few bouts with bad health to make us more happy when we are feeling good..The negative side of life brings out the artistic side of us..Romeo and Juliet would not have been the great story it was if not for the negativity contained within it..Some of the greatest poems and songs are written due to the negative side of life.. The life and times of the worlds greatest human being Joshua Bar Joseph (Jesus) Praise be his name..would not have had the meaning the Creator intended if not for the negative things that were done to him..He would not have been the Son Of God if he did not conquer the negative side of life..
Sid Hartha, Lord Buddha),would not have become the great man he was if not for the negative things he saw and lived..Mohammed ,praise be his name,the prophet would not have been the man he was if not for the negative things that were happening around him.. Through out history the greatest leaders and holy men would not have been who they were if not for the negative things in their lives and their struggle to overcome those negative things made them who they were..
The negative things in our lives makes us greater than we would be if they did not exist..
When we say "Walk in Balance " we are referring to walking our trail of life keeping in balance the negative and positive things in our lives..
I wish you the wisdom to recognize the positive and negative things in your life and the ability to keep them in balance..Often negative things will mask themselves as positive things and sometimes things you think are positive are in reality negative things wearing a positive mask..
If you have a chance to make life better for others and fail to do so,
you are wasting your time on Earth. No matter what our station in life,
we are here to serve, even if that sometimes means making the greatest
sacrifice of all.
Aho , Amen , e-men .
Deep Thoughts
"I think the Spirit, is the one thing we have to rely on. It has been
handed to us as a live and precious coal. And each generation has to
make that decision whether they want to blow on that coal to keep it
alive or throw it away... Our language, our histories and culture are
like a big ceremonial fire that's been kicked and stomped and
scattered...Out in the darkness we can see those coals glowing. But our
generation, whether in tribal government or wherever we find
ourselves--Choctaw, Cherokee, Chickasaw, Creek, Seminole--are coal
gatherers. We bring the coals back, assemble them and breathe on them
again, so we can spark a flame around which we might warm ourselves."
If you have a chance to make life better for others and fail to do so,
you are wasting your time on Earth. No matter what our station in life,
we are here to serve, even if that sometimes means making the greatest
sacrifice of all.
Aho , Amen , e-men .
God's Minute
YOU, DEAR CHILDREN, ARE FROM GOD AND HAVE
OVERCOME THEM, BECAUSE THE ONE WHO IS IN YOU
IS GREATER THAN THE ONE WHO IS IN THE WORLD.
( 1 JOHN 4:4 *NIV )
Member's,
Now when you are faced with a problem that seems to
overwhelm you, remember to ask for God's help. After all;
HE IS A SHIELD TO THOSE WHO TAKE REFUGE IN HIM.
( PROVERBS 30:5 )
Therefore do not let a person, place or thing trouble you.
For; THE ETERNAL GOD IS YOUR REFUGE, AND
UNDERNEATH ARE THE EVERLASTING ARMS. HE WILL
DRIVE OUT YOUR ENEMY BEFORE YOU, SAYING
DESTROY HIM. ( DEUTERONOMY 33:27 )
Now you may ask "what about satan bothering me." Well,
He further promises us: "I HAVE GIVEN YOU AUTHORITY
TO TRAMPLE ON [ SNAKES AND SCORPIONS* ] AND TO
OVERCOME ALL THE POWER OF THE ENEMY."
( LUKE 10:19 )
*"Snakes and Scorpions" is an ancient Hebrew Idiom meaning
evil spirits!
So Member's, do not let others get you down! For you
have the awesome power of God with you! Just remind
yourself that: HE WHO IS IN YOU IS GREATER THAN HE
WHO IS IN THE WORLD, as the first verse said. For then,
THE PEACE OF GOD WHICH TRANSCENDS ALL
UNDERSTANDING, will return to you once again! Aho , Amen,
e-men .
( Philippians 4:7 )
This message is dedicated to all Mother's
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY, MOM!
FOR THIS IS WHAT THE LORD SAYS: "AS A MOTHER
COMFORTS HER CHILD, SO WILL I COMFORT YOU."
( ISAIAH 66:13 *NIV )
Dear Member's,
We can not measure the tremendous love that God
has for His Children in human terms. However, I do
believe the closest thing on Earth to that great love,
is the love a Mother has for her child!
Therefore, on this day we honor that special lady
in our life, our Mother. So, LET YOUR FATHER AND
YOUR MOTHER BE GLAD, AND LET HER WHO BORE
YOU REJOICE, ( PROVERBS 23:25 ) and may she
be filled with God's Love, Hope, Faith, and Peace today
and everyday!
The following was sent to me by one of our Brother's-
In-Christ, some time ago. I feel that it is appropriate to
share it with you today. It is called:
Why are you crying, Mom?
"Why are you crying?" he asked his Mom. "Because I'm a
woman" she told him. "I don't understand," he said. His
Mom just hugged him and said, "And you never will"..........
Later the little boy asked his father, "Why does mother
seem to cry for no reason? "All women cry for no reason"
was all his dad could say........
The little boy grew up and became a man, still wondering
why women cry...
Finally he put in a call to GOD; when GOD got on the phone
the man said, "GOD, why do women cry so easily?"
and GOD said.......
When I made woman, she had to be special. I made her
shoulders strong enough to carry the weight of the World;
yet, gentle enough to give comfort....
I gave her an inner strength to endure childbirth and the
rejection that many times comes from her children......
I gave her a hardness that allows her to keep going when
everyone else gives up and take care of her family through
sickness and fatigue without complaining......
I gave her the sensitivity to love her children under any and
all circumstances, even when her child has hurt her very
badly...
This same sensitivity helps her to make a child's boo-boo
feel better and shares in their teenagers anxieties and
fears.......
I gave her strength to carry her husband through his faults
and fashioned her from his rib to protect his heart.....
I gave her wisdom to know that a good husband never hurts
his wife, but, sometimes tests her strengths and her resolve
to stand beside him unfalteringly.....
I gave her tears to shed. They are hers to use whenever she
needs them. They are her secret strength. They make her
more like ME.....
___________________________
In His Love & Service,
Pastor cougarmoon
