There are also special family who accept you for who you are. They do not judge you, gossip about you, be nice to you in front of you. then talk behind your back. They are genuine. These family members are real people and incredibly special. There is also that special blood line you carry from your ancestors that still vibrates in your heart, mind, and soul that makes you who you are. Your identity. Your indigenousness. Your Warrior Spirit. This blood line is an immeasurable gift from your family ancestors that never dies, it is always in you. It's like the ancestors are saying "Here you go my child. This is me and I'm giving it to you. Carry it on in your daily life. Let it make you strong and resilient." These ancestral gifts to you may be a family heirloom, a song, a prayer, a story, a picture, a conversation, a feeling of security and love from a cherished memory.
Equally relevant members of our family are the gifts from Mother Nature. Mother Earth and Father Sun. The animal world. Water and air. The trees, mountains. rivers and oceans. These beautiful creations by the Creator are right in front of you every day and are both blessings and protection for you in your daily life. Honor them. Talk and pray to them. They are living spirits ready to give you a physical, mental and spiritual uplift during your time of need, just like a human family member. These gifts from Creator through Mother Nature were here thousands of years before you, your life is just a speck of time, and they will be here thousands of years after you leave this earthly dwelling. Acknowledge and respect these God given gifts. Absorb them in your everyday essence and foundation. Your existence. They are beautiful beyond words.
Rise above
the everyday manmade circus of politics, lies and deceit to a new level of understanding about yourself and practice self-care and self-awareness for you. Nobody else, for you. Why? Because you are worth it. Define your inner circle and protect it from manmade intrusions, but open it to spiritual value and happiness. You are God's gift to your family, and you need to be at the top of your game, so to speak, to make a positive contribution to those you love and care for in your daily life. If you do not care for yourself, no one else will.
Rejoice
in the accomplishments and good fortune of other family members. It is characteristic of some, based upon an imposed colonial misrepresentation and "me" type attitude, to be jealous rather than happy for others who do something good. Try to understand the essence of what unconditional love means. It doesn't mean I love you when you fail, but don't like you when you succeed. It doesn't mean I have Indigenius values right now, but white man values later just because you do something good or accomplish what I can't. It means I love you at all times no matter what. It also means I rejoice in your accomplishments and success from a collective Indigenous viewpoint and value system our ancestors and elders would want us to apply in practice every day.
Don't doubt yourself. Realize yourself. You are one of a kind. There is nobody in this world like you. If you are a student, staying up late to do your homework, think about walking across that stage when you graduate and how happy you will be through your effort and hard work. If you are a parent, think about how the sacrifices your making are making your children happy and healthy. If you are an elder, think about the lifelong accomplishments you made for your family through your love and grace. If you are a worker, think about how you are contributing to your family, community and tribe. Self-doubt is a condition you impose on yourself. Change this mind set to self-worth, self-praise, and perseverance and resilience as an Indigenous person. Humble yourself in the presence of Creator and simply ask Him to put you in the place he wants you to be. Don't measure your personal or professional self and daily life on material things, measure yourself on your reverence and obedience to our Creator and He will provide for your beyond your limited expectations to unlimited possibilities and a beautiful physical, mental, and spiritual state of being where you feel content and safe in your everyday life.
Often times, we think we know it all and don't want to hear others. Take time to just sit back and listen to everyday people, accept what they say without judgement, enjoy the conversation, stories and words around you. Most importantly, listen to the elders. They are the wise ones. They lived it survived it and most likely are willing to pass it down to you if you will listen. Listen to your parents. Most of the time they are saying things to you for your own good, not out of spite or to hurt you. Sometimes a parent may say something, and the child will respond "I know, I know." No, you don't know child, otherwise we parents wouldn't have to tell you. listen and learn in a respectful manner.
Your birthplace. Your homeland. Your tribe. Your family history. Ground yourself in a positive view of where you are rooted both physically, mentally, and spiritually. It is good to understand the humbleness, power, and presence of your origin. Be proud of where you came from, and never forget. Look at it as a blessing. An honor. A privilege. "This is me and this is where I come from." This state of mind will give you self-worth and healing in times of need. Pass this attitude on to your children so they too can rejoice in your beautiful family lineage and history. Forgive yourself and others in your family. We all make mistakes. We all are human. You may have done something stupid or other family may have done you wrong. Yes, it hurts and comes and goes. If you don't have forgiveness you are holding onto something that can easily be let go with kindness in your heart and unconditional love for others. That is what your ancestors and elders would want you to do. Forgiving does not mean you will forget what happened, but it means you are mature and bold enough to move forward in a positive way for your own self-care and peace of mind. Forgive for your own self-healing. Throw that baggage away and put on the armor of God to be the best person you can be, to love your family, and to help the people.
Colonialism has corrupted our mentality to judge other ethnicities based upon our own biases and false sense of superiority. We are all once race in God's eyes, no race is better than another, we all bleed red, we all have one heart, we all have one mind, and we all have love in our hearts the first day we are born and thereafter. As newborn children we were innocent and pure. Prejudice and discrimination were taught to us to make this purity we had as newborns tainted based on mankind's false interpretations, biases and cruelty. Rejoice and love our brothers and sisters in humanity, all ethnicities, all backgrounds, all those in need regardless of the world's colonialization and self-perpetuating norms and values far removed from our ancestor and eider's eternal teachings as Indigenous people.
To be traditional is to be progressive for Indigenous people. Rather than jumping on the bandwagon of the latest societal trend, the latest fad, or false politically driven atmosphere, mostly perpetuated by money and greed, reignite your traditional values and go back to the teachings, songs, and prayers our ancestors and elders gave us. Let that powerful blood line in you vibrate with honor and dignity for them . Make them proud. MakeThat is the Indian way. That is the indigenous way our ancestors would like us to live and teach our children with patience, grace and love.
There are day to day situations that exist for Indigenous people we need to address. It's easy to stand on the sidelines and watch others stand up. Go the extra mile to make your values and beliefs heard in areas of social injustice, discrimination, and prejudice. As native people, no one is going to save ourselves, but ourselves. Address social injustice for you, your children, grandchildren, community and Tribe. Be a Warrior with the Warrior Spirit in a peaceful effective manner for the people. Just your presence is enough to show your concern for what you believe in. Indeed, we owe it to our elders and ancestors to stand up for our sacred way of life, no matter what.
Most of all, believe in our Creator.
Meditate, pray, sing in your own way. Humble yourself before His great presence and power. Pray, believe in your prayers, God hears you. As Indigenous people, recognizing and honoring our Creator has been an embedded value of our tradition and culture for thousands of years, and in today's society, there are those who try to create doubt about our tradition and culture because they want you to acquiesce to their colonialism. Don't do it. Be strong. Be yourself. Embrace your great bloodline running through your veins, heart and mind.
