Meditations with Native American Elders- July 11
"Do not grieve. Misfortunes will happen to the wisest and best of men. Death will come, always out
of season. It is the command of the Great Spirit, and all nations and people must obey. What is
past and what cannot be prevented should not be grieved for..."
Big Elk, OMAHA Chief
Our earth continues to grow by cycles and seasons: The cycles of growth - spring, summer, fall,
winter. The cycles of the human being - baby, youth, adult, elder. It is through these cycles that
we will experience the changes. I will not always necessarily agree with these changes but I need
to trust the Grandfathers are in charge. Things will come and things will go. Really, I own
nothing, the Creator owns all. Too often I label things as mine. I say this belongs to me, but it
really belongs to the Creator.  He gives me things to take care of. I need to do the best I can
with what I have, with what I know at the time. And when the Creator changes things, I need to let
go for His planning is the best.  Oh Great Spirit, today let me do the best I can with what I
know, with what I have. Let me experience acceptance of Your will.
By: Don Coyhis
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A Cherokee Feast Of Days - July 11
We don´t have to see a wound to know it´s there. We have all been hurt, sometimes beyond our
ability to handle it. But this is the turning point, the hour of change: no more sinking down, no
more fretting about what other people will think. This is a new hour, a new day, so run with it.
Change things while you can.  If you can´t move the world for everyone, move it for yourself. It
is in your control. Ask yourself, "If not now, when?" We tend to put important issues aside,
ignoring our common sense and the strong message that it is time to change. Accept the challenge
to change, because you may not have another chance.  Teach us to be like you, united.
PAWNEE
By: Joyce Sequichie Hifler