The Gathering: Part 1

She awoke to find the sun shining dimly through the curtains splattering shadows across the walls. It was early, but still time to rise after a quick reflection of last night's dreams. All the dramas and melodies of last night faded as she came back to the realm of reality. It was time to face the day.

As she left for the day's adventure, she passed the calendar on the wall. For a moment, she forgot the day, until she realized that today was highlighted. She looked again. It was her birthday the calendar proclaimed. She thought about it for a moment. She decided for this one day, she would celebrate for all that she learned and all that she appreciated. She decided to bring together people to join her for a delicious meal and to celebrate life. Sne knew who to invite and what to prepare. For this once, everything was predecided in the dreams of many nights.

First things first.

TBC

Stay sweet 'n smile.....................Mz.

7 Philosophies

SEVEN PHILOSOPHIES FOR THE NATIVE AMERICAN MAN

The following was presented at the Gathering of Native American Men in June of 1996 in Colorado. Approximately 2,000 Native American men, families, and friends gathered there from June 1st to 2nd representing approximately 115 Tribes.

What are the Seven Philosophies?

The Seven Philosophies for a Native American Man are guidelines for Indian men on their journey through life. The wisdom of Native Elders is contained in the Seven Philosophies and is offered to Native American men so that they may be better fathers, sons, husbands, uncles, relatives, friends, Tribal members and citizens of the countries in which they live. The Seven Philosophies point the way towards a return to the values of Native American culture for the healing of individuals, families and Native Communities.

First Philosophy

TO THE WOMEN

The cycle of life for the woman is the baby, girl, woman, and grandmother. These are the four directions of life. She has been given by natural laws, the ability to reproduce life. The most sacred of all things is life. Therefore, all men should treat her with dignity and respect. Never was it our way to harm her mentally or physically. Indian men were never abusers. We always treated our women with respect and understanding. So from now on:

• I will treat women in a sacred manner. The Creator gave women the responsibility for bringing new life into the world. Life is sacred, so I will look upon the women in a sacred manner.
• In our traditional ways, the woman is the foundation of the family. I will work with her to create a home atmosphere of respect, security and harmony.
• I will refrain from any form of emotional or physical abuse. If I have these feelings, I will talk to the Creator for guidance.
• I will treat all women as if they were my own female relatives. This is my vow.

Second Philosophy

TO THE CHILDREN

As an eagle prepares its young to leave the nest will all the skills and knowledge it needs to participate in life, in the same manner so will I guide my children. I will use the culture to prepare them for life.

• The most important thing I can give to my children is my time. I will spend time with them in order to learn from them and to listen to them.
• I will teach my children to pray, as well as the importance of respect.
• We are the caretakers of the children for the Creator. They are His children, not ours.
• I am proud of our own Native language. I will learn it if I can and help my children to learn it.
• In today's world it is easy for the children to go astray, so I will work to provide positive alternatives for them. I will teach them the culture. I will encourage education. I will encourage sports. I will encourage them to talk to the Elders for guidance; but mostly, I will seek to be a role model myself.
• I make this commitment to my children so they will have courage and find guidance through traditional ways.

Third Philosophy

TO THE FAMILY

The creator gave to us the family, which is the place where all teachings are handed down from the grandparent, to the parent, and to the child. The children's behavior is a mirror of the parents behavior. Knowing this, I realize the importance for each Indian man to build a strong and balanced family. By doing this, I will break the cycle of hurt and ensure the positive and mental health of the children, even the children yet to be born. So from now on:

• I will dedicate my priorities to rebuilding my family.
• I must never give up and leave my family only to the mother.
• I am accountable to restore the strength of my family. To do this, I will nurture our family's spiritual, cultural, and social health. I will demonstrate trust, respect, honor and discipline; but mostly I will be consistent in whatever I do with them.
• I will see that the grandparents and community Elders play a significant role in the education of my children.
• I realize that the male and female together are fundamental to our family life. I will listen to my mates council for our family's benefit, as well as for the benefit of my Indian Nation.

Fourth Philosophy

TO THE COMMUNITY

The Indian community provides many things for the family. The most important is the sense of belonging; that is, to belong to "the people", and to have a place to go. Our Indian communities need to be restored to health so the future generation will be guaranteed a place to go for culture, language and Indian socializing. In the community, the honor of one is the honor of all and the pain of one is the pain of all. I will work to strengthen recovery in all parts of my community. As an Indian man:

• I will give back to my community by donating my time and talents when I am able.
• I will cultivate friendships with other Indian men for mutual support and strength.
• I will consider the effects of our decisions on behalf of the next seven generations; in this way, our children and grandchildren will inherit healthy communities.
• I will care about those in my community so that the mind changers, alcohol and drugs, will vanish, and our communities will forever be free of violence.
• If each of us can do all these things, then others will follow; ours will be a proud community.

Fifth Philosophy

TO THE EARTH

Our Mother Earth is the source of all life, whether it be the plants, the two-legged, four-legged, winged ones or human beings. The Mother Earth is the greatest teacher, if we listen, observe and respect her. When we live in harmony with the Mother Earth, she will recycle the things we consume and make them available to our children and to their children. As an Indian man, I must teach my children how to care for the Earth so it is there for the future generations. So from now on:

• I realize the Earth is our mother. I will treat her with honor and respect.
• I will honor the interconnectedness of all things and all forms of life.
• I will realize the Earth does not belong to us, but we belong to the Earth.
• The natural law is the ultimate authority upon the lands and water. I will learn the knowledge and wisdom of the natural laws. I will pass this knowledge in to my children. The mother Earth is a living entity that maintains life. I will speak out in a good way whenever I see someone abusing the Earth. Just as I would protect my own mother, so will I protect the Earth. I will ensure that the land, water, and air will be intact for my children and my children's children - unborn.

Sixth Philosophy

TO THE CREATOR

As an Indian man, I realize we make no gains without the Great Spirit being in our lives. Neither I nor anything I attempt to do, will work without the Creator. Being Indian and being spiritual has the same meaning. Spirituality is out gift from the Great One. This day, I vow to walk the Red Road.

• As an Indian man, I will return to the traditional and spiritual values which have guided my ancestors for the past generations.
• I will look with new eyes on the powers of our ceremonies and religious ways, for they are important to the very survival of our people.
• We have survived and are going to grow and flourish spiritually. We will fulfill our teachings and the purpose that the Creator has given us with dignity.
• Each day, I will pray and ask for guidance. I will commit to walk the Red Road, or whatever the spiritual way is called in my own culture.
• If I am Christian, I will be a good one. If I am traditional, I will walk this road with dedication.
• If each if us can do these things then others will follow. From this day forward, I will reserve time and energy for spirituality, seeking to know the Creators will.

Seventh Philosophy

TO MYSELF I will think about what kind of person I want to be when I am an Elder. I will start developing myself now to be this person.

• I will walk with the Great Spirit and the grandfathers at my side. I will develop myself to remain positive. I will develop a good mind.
• I will examine myself daily to see what I did good and what I need to improve. I will examine my strength and weaknesses, then I will ask the Creator to guide me. I will develop a good mind.
• Each day, I will listen to the Creators voice in the wind. I will watch nature and ask to be shown a lesson which will occur on my path.
• I will seek out the guiding principles which guided my ancestors. I will walk in dignity, honor and humility, conducting myself as a warrior.
• I will seek the guidance of the Elders so that I may maintain the knowledge of culture, ceremonies, and songs, and so that I may pass these on to the future generations.
• I choose to do all these things myself, because no one else can do them for me.
• I know I cannot give away what I don't have so I will need to walk the talk.

Stay sweet 'n smile.....................Mz.

My Coloring Book Picture

Stay sweet 'n smile.....................Mz.

No Vacancy

I learned a couple weeks ago that another family member received news that cancer was cohabitating within her body. I guess this freeloader decided to expand his house and send some family members out in the community to find new residences. This news was disheartening at least and yet motivating at most. In all my sadness, I decided I needed to work with my own council and establish some bans to refrain these freeloaders from visiting me. Because of the strong likelihood due to my wonderful DNA blueprints some of my bans would have loopholes, but all I could do was try my best. I am surprised that it is really making changes in me.

It is amazing what motivates people to alter their lives. For some, it is a story or a picture. Others need that life or death experience to wake up. Maybe you just woke up and wanted change. Or was it that silly New Year's pledge that you made at the last minute while drinking too much anything? It could be the friend or family member that diminishes in front of you to force you to acknowledge your own mortality. Whatever the reason, you know you have to do something and the sooner the better.

I love my family very much. They have been supportive of me as I ride the roller coaster of life. In return, I do the same. In good times and in tragedy, we have remained bonded as grandma always wanted. Over recent years, many members of the family have dealt with freeloaders of various sorts and lost their cases in medical court. Quicker than comfort level, I see the generations exiting the ride earlier and earlier. I know something is wrong here.

My mind races when I look in the mirror. Although I see myself looking back at me, I also see the potential for freeloaders. I am my own enemy. My DNA says it all. The doctor need not say anything. "At Risk" flashes through my mind in bright neon lights like the warning signs on a roadway that blare words of immediate danger. I know something must be done.

My children walk in my room. They want to go play with their friends. I am happy to send them outside to enjoy the warm weather of spring. As they leave, I picture their faces in my mind. "At Risk" plasters their foreheads and contaminated DNA flows through their body. What have I done? I never thought of medical history when I was falling in love with their father. I never wondered why his grandmother died so early. I was infected with warm fuzzies and never considered his families health problems or even mine.

It is too late now. The battle is for today and tomorrow and not yesterday. Somehow, those fallen before me and those enduring the battle now have reached within me and sounded the alarm. I am awake, alert and ready for action. The deed of today and the plans for tomorrow have been placed in active duty. I will try my best to keep the freeloaders away and maintain the homeostasis that my liable DNA needs. I will teach the children the same as I have learned, passing something new down through the generations. They will know the odds and the tips for beating them. They will know early without needing that extreme motivation. It is the least I can do.

As for today, I will share my love and follow my plan. I will remain hopeful even from far away. I will enrich my life each day and continue to enjoy beauty from every rainbow, great story and good friend. Even smiles and bright eyes will remind me of this love and happiness within my spirit. And when the freeloader tries to come visit me, "No Vacancy" is all he'll see.

Stay sweet 'n smile.....................Mz.

Those Days

It has been one of those days.

I woke up at 3 in the morning. I knew it was too early and tried to keep my eyes shut. I didn't want reality peeking in when I had a wonderful dream that needed my dire attention. I tried to wander back to that peaceful place I had previously been, but failed to reach it this time. It was 3:15 a.m. and I had ceased from sleeping until another night.

Leaving for school at 7 in the morning is just regular routine one day every week. Since I lose the "good" radio stations throughout my drive, I've learned new forms of quiet entertainment. My cognitive self emerges to amuse the rest of me with thoughtful reflections of my life and wild fantasies that will never find print. These very cogitations make the drive tolerable and just about worthy of the 3 hour effort.

I love being in school. I believe because I love learning. People learn new information continuously throughout their daily lives. But in college, you have a direct purpose and direction. There is actually a beginning and an end, a first and a last, and a start and a final. The semester begins and so does the exchange of cognitive information from one mouth to many ears. If you take the time to use your ears, you will walk away with some piece of knowledge that will one day make your life a little better. At least, that is what I am hoping for.

I try to be a participant in my college experience. I attend two gatherings on campus. They are to expand my circle of compadres and to practice my current knowledge to maintain peak brain performance. Out of all my activities throughout the day, I enjoy the language table the most. The mixture of people, skill level, and humor makes for an comical learning experience. And if there are some MIAs, I know how to round up a search party or two to locate their current GPS location. Sometimes, attendance is as fluent as my Ojibwe. I still believe my end of the day smile is from a fulfilling 1 1/2 hours of conversation.

Then finally, it is time to head home again. Another 3 hours and I will have two smiling faces staring at me, demanding my attention, and seeking something that they do not own. But first, as I drive, I reflect the day, the dreams and the fantasies. I make the phone calls and watch for deer. And I ponder, until the sandman finds me again.

Stay sweet 'n smile.....................Mz.

She Finally Caught It!

I am laughing today. She caught it. I knew she would. It was only a matter of time. I am so glad she finally did. Mother Nature has caught the spring fever bug. I had spring fever in February and it drove me crazy. I had no clue it would take two months to circled around before it nabbed her. I guess she tried to innoculate against it, but this version was just too strong. She already hit the buzzer on the spring clock once. Now, she had to get moving this time. So finally after this long cold wait, Spring has arrived!

I am so happy the snow is melting away. The lake is becoming more fluid as the ice melts. The weather has warmed and the people are starting to move outside. Ice houses have become non-exsistent as people tune up the boats for the next season of fishing. Although the trees are bare and the grass is brown, I know Mother Nature will be here with her green paintbrush soon. It is almost time to plant as the sun warms the ground waking last year's beauties for our eyes this year.

I have begun my spring routine. The cleaning has begun and the time outdoors has increased. I even noticed the changes in the local stores as the gardening departments are stocking their aisles and opening their doors. Yesterday, my windshield connected with its first bug this season. With that splat, I knew it was really spring.

Now, I know everyone should have it, but I think a few people have jumped ahead. I have already seen air conditioners for sale and girls in bikinis. I can understand getting prepared, but over-exposing yourself to 48 degree sunrays can lead you to need another kind of inoculation. So, go out there and enjoy the spring season and have patience that summer is right around the corner.

Stay sweet 'n smile.....................Mz.