By Andrea Downing
Wisdom is universal, whether it comes from a Judeo-Christian background or one that embraces Nature and Mother Earth. Here are fifteen proverbs and sayings from Native Americans that we’d all be well to consider this holiday season.
1. Tell me a fact and I’ll learn. Tell me a Truth and I’ll believe. But tell me a story and it will live in my heart forever.
2. The hardest journey is the one you take from your head to your heart. The healing journey is found in the path leading back from heart to your head.
3. Be strong when you are weak, be brave when you are scared, be humble when you are victorious.
4. We don’t inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.
5. We can only be what we give ourselves the Power to be.
6. The soul would have no rainbow if the eyes had no tears.
7. It does not require many words to speak the truth. (Chief Joseph, Nez Perce)
8. Take care when you speak in judgment. Words are powerful weapons.
9. Do not pray when it is raining if you do not pray when the sun is shining.
10. Be selective in your battles; sometimes peace is better than being right.
11. The tragedy of life is not death but what we let die inside of us while we live.
12. Thoughts are like arrows. Once released, they strike their mark. Guard them well or one day you may be your own victim.
13. Give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way.
14. May your life be like a wildflower, growing freely in the beauty and joy of each day.
15. Oh Great Spirit who made all races, look kindly upon the whole human family and take away the arrogance and hatred which separates us. (Cherokee prayer)
And if you’re looking for some Holiday reading…
Available at https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Carole-Dickens-Romance-ebook/dp/B08BT1MC76/
Carrie Matheson is happy to start a new life at the Wyoming ranch she has inherited, but her six-year-old son wants to return to New York. As Christmas approaches and his pleas to Santa receive replies, it’s alarm bells, not sleigh bells that start ringing.
Tate Schrugge is amused by his new neighbor when she jogs over with some mis- delivered mail, but after she calls him Scrooge, she’s definitely not on his Christmas list.
If these two can get together, it might be the Dickens of a romance.
8 comments:
Wonderful sayings, Andrea. Thank you for sharing and Merry Christmas!
Here's a post we all need this year! thanks, Andi, I really savored each and every one of these thoughts.
Sometimes the simplest words are the strongest. This is why I like to write Native American characters. Good post!
Julie, I thought they were very timely! and it shows how universal feelings and wisdom are. Merry Christmas to you too
Patti, I'm really glad you feel that way. There were a lot to choose from and I obviously had to narrow it down, but these seemed particularly pertinent.
Well said, Paty. I often feel if Europeans had learned from them rather than try to kill them off, the world would be a far better place with far fewer problems.
These are a great selection of the many Indigenous words of wisdom. Nice job, Andi.
Thanks Carmen. It really was difficult choosing.
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