Monday, June 27, 2011

An Old Soul

Ron and I identify with the ancient Indians way of life. Their simplicity in only taking what was needed and sharing what they have with friends, family or those in need are values we cherish. They believed in a balanced life. This is how people lived on our continent for thousands and thousands of years. Today we are convinced that we need lots of money and material possessions and that the more we have, the better. However, this simply doesn't make sense when you study ancient Indians. As well as the damage, sicknesses and disorders we have created today in our environment, people and animals by all the negative change. I understand that change is inevitable and we can't stop it from happening. I'm not going to pretend I have the answers to todays problems because I don't.


I'm just stating that the ancient Native American culture makes more sense to me and I can relate to it much more than today's world. They lived peacefully among each other, didn't damage the environment, respected everything and were thankful for everything they had. They already knew that what the settlers were trying to do was never about freedom. How can people honestly think that we are a free country when we are enslaved to the government? We aren't free. That doesn't mean I'm ignorant to the fact that we have it better than other countries today as far as the amenities we have here. I'm not suggesting that America is a horrible place to live. What I am saying is that what we are founded on is a lie. Every time I see the American flag and what it represents, I can't stop myself from snickering. It is funny when you really think about the meaning of freedom. Our founders took freedom away from people for their own power and benefit.


If the white man wants to live in peace with the Indian, he can live in peace...
Treat all men alike. Give them all the same law. Give them all an even chance to live and grow. All men were made by the same Great Spirit Chief. They are all brothers. The Earth is the mother of all people, and all people should have equal rights upon it....
Let me be a free man, free to travel, free to stop, free to work, free to trade where I choose my own teachers, free to follow the religion of my fathers, free to think and talk and act for myself, and I will obey every law, or submit to the penalty.


Before our white brothers arrived to make us civilized men, we didn't have any kind of prison. Because of this, we had no delinquents. Without a prison, there can be no delinquents. We had no locks nor keys and therefore among us there were no thieves. When someone was so poor that he couldn't afford a horse, a tent or a blanket, he would, in that case, receive it all as a gift. We were too uncivilized to give great importance to private property. We didn't know any kind of money and consequently, the value of a human being was not determined by his wealth. We had no written laws laid down, no lawyers, no politicians, therefore we were not able to cheat and swindle one another.
We were really in bad shape before the white men arrived and I don't know how to explain how we were able to manage without these fundamental things that (so they tell us) are so necessary for a civilized society.

When I sit and study some of the Christian people that became established here, I have to say, they weren't the best representatives of their faith. There was a lot of prejudice, racism and judgement on their part. When you understand what Christianity is about... loving your neighbor as yourself, the Indians already lived that way. The Indians were the true Christians. They gave thanks for everything they had and believed in taking care of their people before themselves. The Indians also had a unique concept of embracing people. They took in black slaves that escaped and in general, would try to be peaceful with the English before being forced to fight.


Remember: Chief Massasoit prayed to the Creator about how he should handle the invaders (the first settlers) and even though the Wampanoag tribe could have wiped them out, he led his people to help them. In turn, the settlers betrayed him after his death and sought to take more from Massasoit's people. History doesn't lie and actions speak louder than words.


 Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

James 2:18 But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do."


The Indian said, "If you believe in the same God. Why do you quarrel about him?" 
(doesn't sound like the Indians needed the converting!)


Indian leaders were truly admirable people. Chosen by how peaceful, giving and cooperative they were. Our leaders now expect us to cater to them and would never die for us. Our political leaders expect their men to take a bullet for them. Cowards in my opinion. 


If industrialized society today which has only existed for a little past 300 years on the American continent is a better way of life, then why do we not live peacefully among each other? Why are we fighting so many wars? Why do people want to outdo each other? Why is greed and power so prevalent? Why is it that we the people of America can't even agree with each other when it comes to who should run our country? Where is the "Unity" in the States since we are all governed under different laws and everyone has a different belief? That's why our title, "The United States of America" that represents freedom is so comical and such a distortion of the truth. The Native Americans represented true unity and freedom, not us.


Something that makes me sad is many Americans have been brainwashed into these concepts of "for the better." Mental disorders (depression, anxiety, bipolar, schizo) and many illnesses such as diabetes, smallpox, clogged arteries, blocked colons, obesity, etc did not even exist here until colonialism happened. It's no secret today about the crap that's in our vegetables, fruits and meat now. We all know poverty exists because greedy people have forced others to slave on their farms or die. Ancient people didn't need to take an hour or two out of their day to work out or think about eating healthy. No one starved. They worked together and their lives incorporated natural, balanced activity. Westernized society as it is today doesn't show me that we know a better way of life.


Ron and I are long, lost Indian souls born in the wrong era. lol. We are awake to the problems and try our darn best not to ignore them. Unfortunately, money is the new survival strategy and we all have to make a living somehow. We have surrounded ourselves with friends who also understand that money is a survival mechanism, and an abundance of it is not necessary and the obsession to have a lot of it is not good. There are ways to still live our lives balanced and for our communities. Be thankful for what you have, give what you can to others and don't take too much for yourself. This will keep balance in your mind and heart.


I'm going to end this with a beautiful story told by a Cherokee Elder to his grandson.



"A fight is going on inside me," he said to the boy.
"It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One is evil - he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego." 

He continued, "The other is good - he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you - and inside every other person, too."

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf will win?"

The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."

If we can all feed the good wolf, we will make this earth a more peaceful place to live.





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