Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Born Free -Living Free
that's my story - I am Free and I have always been so. I have always known or owned that. I woke this morning and asked God, our Creator how I would honor him today. In the gentlest joyful manner I was told"you are Free - live Free-be Free" and so I am. I prayed and have prayed for the generations that have gone before us, to be released from the fear that held them. to be able to release the fear and close those doors for them. To honor and acknowledge their fear. It was hoped in being able to close those doors for them then I could close my doors of fear and be able to live in joy and stand in my own power. I would not send my fear forward for the generations to come. My gifts to future generations was to be released from fear. And today I was given the gift of freedom. I remembered that my people walked this land from coast to coast to coast. They sang songs of love and appreciation for the natural world we lived in. Even those who came to this great land came as adventurers and with a profound belief in Freedom. From the shores of Scotland and France these brave spirits came and walked the land and rode the waters with a great sense of freedom. nothing could contain their souls. The mothers of our past chose these beautiful spirits to continue this walk. In spite of the generations of darkness the fire of freedom, of open skies and roaring waters still smoldered in their souls. i hear the voice of my ancestors, the voices of my mothers say "remember feel the freedom" that sat constantly withing me guiding me, encouraging me, teaching me, teaching me to remember that I am Free. Whatever I do, wherever I go, I am free. I will always be. future generations will be free because I listened in the silence and I remembered. Thank you Grandmothers for being with me and showing me how to remember I am free!
The Power of Forgiveness
what is the sound of forgiveness? The sounds of joy and healing, hearing and feeling the heartbeat of our mother within us. Those of us that have spent a little time actively practicing emotional healing have often hit a wall. That wall is when out of nowhere comes a deep anger, resentment or a sense of victimization.
As in the teachings of the seven generations, we must not only look to the healing and strength of the generations forward. We must also look to the healing of the generations past. how do we do that in our own humble way? We must learn to start by honoring ourselves and forgiving ourselves. We must look to our own personal forgiveness and respect and honor our own time between the earth and sky.
It is incumbent upon us to heal the generations past in order that those doors may close and new ones of abundance and joy may open up for ourselves and the generations to come.
As in the teachings of the seven generations, we must not only look to the healing and strength of the generations forward. We must also look to the healing of the generations past. how do we do that in our own humble way? We must learn to start by honoring ourselves and forgiving ourselves. We must look to our own personal forgiveness and respect and honor our own time between the earth and sky.
It is incumbent upon us to heal the generations past in order that those doors may close and new ones of abundance and joy may open up for ourselves and the generations to come.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Pray first...take action
I have most often found it easy to speak on behalf on someone or something. I have had no problem bringing forward injustice and seeking ways to resolve issues and working with others for a common purpose.
I have always had difficulty speaking for myself. Whether it was in a work enviroment or a home enviroment, I often just let situations pass while feeling bad for myself and allowing myself to be a victim. So I have been learning to honor myself and honor creation in doing so.
I had a situation today, where I had been excluded from an event which was planned by the team I am a member of. I had to decide whether to let it go or raise the question. I chose to raise the question of exclusion. Actually, I found out that not only was I excluded, I was not even invited to attend. So I thought about about, then I prayed about it. It came to me that I could not expect others to speak for themselves in situations, if I could not speak for myself. It was also somewhat hollow to speak about causes and injustices - if I could not use my own voice to speak up and stand up for myself. So I did again, I respectfully discussed the situation and brought attention to the implications of the exclusion. I know that further discussions will come as a result, and it is my hope that change will also come as a result of using my voice for myself. It was only through the power of prayer, listening for the answer and taking action that I was able again to add another piece to me as I journey to wholeness. So I give thanks for this action and I give thanks to my friends who supported me in this action. It has indeed been a powerful day and a powerful teaching.
I have always had difficulty speaking for myself. Whether it was in a work enviroment or a home enviroment, I often just let situations pass while feeling bad for myself and allowing myself to be a victim. So I have been learning to honor myself and honor creation in doing so.
I had a situation today, where I had been excluded from an event which was planned by the team I am a member of. I had to decide whether to let it go or raise the question. I chose to raise the question of exclusion. Actually, I found out that not only was I excluded, I was not even invited to attend. So I thought about about, then I prayed about it. It came to me that I could not expect others to speak for themselves in situations, if I could not speak for myself. It was also somewhat hollow to speak about causes and injustices - if I could not use my own voice to speak up and stand up for myself. So I did again, I respectfully discussed the situation and brought attention to the implications of the exclusion. I know that further discussions will come as a result, and it is my hope that change will also come as a result of using my voice for myself. It was only through the power of prayer, listening for the answer and taking action that I was able again to add another piece to me as I journey to wholeness. So I give thanks for this action and I give thanks to my friends who supported me in this action. It has indeed been a powerful day and a powerful teaching.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Moving from victimhood to Wholeness
I am not even sure what the opposite generative term is for Victim. Many use the terms Survivor, which is fine, however for me it still leaves a residue of discord.
In 2008, National Chief Phil Fontaine gave an emotional presentation to the Canada Club in Toronto. What drew the emotion was that despite the good faith in which First Nations leaders negotiated in the Kelowna Accord, the results were never enacted by government. I am sure that is the leaders felt when they negotiated the treaties several years ago. the more things change the more they remain the same. A few months later, I stepped into a walk-in clinic in downtown Winnipeg. In the middle of a very full waiting room was a younger Indigenous man, lamenting to all that we are not equal. His words are burned in my memory. He said, "they told us we were equal. but we are not. They told us we were equal." Pretty much the same message that the National Chief gave to the Canada club. it led me to think about the energy that we put into our words and actions. How could this young sunburnt man hold the same message as the national Chief, without ever hearing his words. It is about energy. So it led me to understand that we can change the world through our thoughts and our actions. Imagine, if we speak in the present and recognize the many gifts that each of us have to give the world. Imagine if we think and speak and believe in the intimate resiliency that we all have as human beings. Imagine if the words we share with the world are about our strengths. Imagine what this world can be.
In 2008, National Chief Phil Fontaine gave an emotional presentation to the Canada Club in Toronto. What drew the emotion was that despite the good faith in which First Nations leaders negotiated in the Kelowna Accord, the results were never enacted by government. I am sure that is the leaders felt when they negotiated the treaties several years ago. the more things change the more they remain the same. A few months later, I stepped into a walk-in clinic in downtown Winnipeg. In the middle of a very full waiting room was a younger Indigenous man, lamenting to all that we are not equal. His words are burned in my memory. He said, "they told us we were equal. but we are not. They told us we were equal." Pretty much the same message that the National Chief gave to the Canada club. it led me to think about the energy that we put into our words and actions. How could this young sunburnt man hold the same message as the national Chief, without ever hearing his words. It is about energy. So it led me to understand that we can change the world through our thoughts and our actions. Imagine, if we speak in the present and recognize the many gifts that each of us have to give the world. Imagine if we think and speak and believe in the intimate resiliency that we all have as human beings. Imagine if the words we share with the world are about our strengths. Imagine what this world can be.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Walking into the Willows
Walking into the willows is a remembrance of the land I grew up in. always present and always versatile is the willow. I have learned much from the willow and noticed that my life has been the same - stilling growing and still contributing to the world I live in.
Willow change and grow, yet are firmly rooted in the earth. I view each of life experiences as the many branches on the Willow. These branches also represent the family and the many friends that have been part of my life experience. They are my medicine, my strength and my shelter.
So as each of these experience have given me strength, I hope to share some of that with you and give back what I have learned in my life time. I hope that you will find some shelter and strength in the love contained in the words I share. Be Blessed.
Willow change and grow, yet are firmly rooted in the earth. I view each of life experiences as the many branches on the Willow. These branches also represent the family and the many friends that have been part of my life experience. They are my medicine, my strength and my shelter.
So as each of these experience have given me strength, I hope to share some of that with you and give back what I have learned in my life time. I hope that you will find some shelter and strength in the love contained in the words I share. Be Blessed.
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