Musings of the Chronologically Challenged™ Fourth Generation

 
>^..^< PUSSYFOOTIN'™


>^..^< Another Prodigal Son returns. Hey, Jim! I checked on the calf this morning. Not quite fat enough. Could we have hot dogs and burgers instead?

>^..^< Chuck says he may have changed his mind -- or he's telling "half truths" like both candidates. As for me, I'm getting estimates from movers and eating more at Outback.

>^..^< Anyone with any extra maps, please contact Cam - here.

>^..^< GOC gives an interesting link you may want to check out.

>^..^< Yes, one DOES wonder, Baldilocks. The Congressional Black Caucus is rather unpredictable - but who knows?

>^..^< If only I could do this!!!!




So, Fellow Bloggers, you thought you had a bad winter? Those of you who share your cares on your weblog have indicated as much. It seemed that a Bad Moon rose for me on January 1st too. John Two-Hawks tells about his winter in the Circle of Nations March edition. My Bad Moon is "the buffalo calving moon" to John. Read his words of encouragement below. And visit his website, Native Circle, for American Indian music, wisdom, politics, culture, heritage and arts. Click on the URL first and listen to beautiful Indian flute music while you read his message.


Hau kola....
Well, here we are in the buffalo calving moon....
EAST - Wiyohinyanpata - Yellow (Four Winds)
Ever feel like you are being re-birthed? Like all complete hell has broken loose - and landed on you? I do my best to walk with Spirit.... and I have a hunch.... Is it just me, or has this winter knocked anyone else for a loop? Perhaps it is the path of my medicine that life has so often seemed to take swings at me. Perhaps there is a great power to be gained in nearly having your proverbial block knocked off over and over and over and over (and over and over and over and over!). At any rate, it appears I may be getting better at 'flyin like a butterfly and stingin like a bee' these days! In the words of one of Circle Studios' newest songwriters, Nancy Cooper Maier, 'it's been a long winter'. Yes it has Nancy. 3 of my elders nearly died in a crash this last winter, then it was one of my two musical soulmates, Sir Charles, who made his journey to the Spirit world at the age of 51. And a week and a half ago, our dear friend Chris passed away suddenly. And there are other crazy things going on that only those close to me know about. It is when you go through times like these that it is most important to be honest with how you feel. It is equally important to do whatever you can to keep your balance. When Muhammed Ali would find himself in trouble in a boxing match, he would resort to the ol 'rope-a-dope'. He would put his back against the ropes and actually use those ropes to his advantage. This boxing technique illustrates a beautiful and powerful example of how we can survive even the hardest of times in our lives. There are times, like this last winter for me, when you feel like your back is against the ropes. You may feel cornered or trapped or helpless. Remember that even these feelings are okay! There is a song by Marc Cohn that goes: "I know there's always something we have to go through that has some deeper meaning but right now I just can't say. I know there's gonna be a lesson somewhere, I'm gonna think a lot about it later, but right now I'm miles away." Those two lyrical lines sum up the ol 'rope-a-dope' strategy for getting through a rough spot in life. You must always first be honest with yourself about it. Get mad! Go cry your eyes out! Complain and whine! I mean, hey, your back is against the ropes! *grin* But don't stay there in that place. It is too easy to allow ourselves to get caught in the pitfall of emotional upheaval. Bounce back! Duck, dart and dodge! Stand your ground! And maybe even take a swing back! Be sure that while you express your honest emotion, you make a deliberate, strong, silent note to yourself that you know that someday there will be a strength, a wisdom and a lesson that you gain from this life struggle. Then, when a bit of time has passed and you have allowed yourself to feel what you feel, you can begin to allow yourself to open to the insights and wisdoms you may have gained through your experience. I have heard the wind blowing in my ear, telling me that many others have experienced struggle this last winter in some way. Perhaps (and hopefully!) not all, but many. I wanted you to know that you are not alone! *wink* May we pray for each other, always. This I know.... Life, and all of its ups and downs, is always a mystery to be honored without knowing all the answers. (You may want to read that last sentence again....) It seems to me that something important, significant, or maybe just plain good, is about to happen. Something powerful.... In the world.... Or maybe just in my own life.... Or maybe both. Perhaps. It is, after all, the buffalo calving moon....

NORTH - Waziyata - White (Words of Wisdom)
May you take a moment to breathe in the cool morning air....
May you stop long enough to lean into the scent of a spring flower....
May the cardinal remind you that Spirit is with you, and you are loved....
May the hawk comfort you with the assurance that you are being looked after....
May the eagle inspire you to offer your prayers....
May the green grass tempt you to go barefoot....
May a warm rain soak you deep enough to touch your soul....
and may the sun caress your face with just enough warmth to help you keep on living....

Though life may bring us questions, struggles, mysteries and even pain, may we all know in the end that life was, and is, worth living....

I love you all, and pray that Spirit will bless you with strength, patience, wisdom, and an open mind and heart. May we all continue to learn.... May Wakantanka encircle you with faith to believe, hope for the future, and love for all....

As always,
In the spirit of mending the sacred hoop of the nations of the world,
Your Oglala Lakota brother and friend,
John Two-Hawks
http://www.nativecircle.com
http://www.johntwohawks.com



CHRISTIAN ONE-LINERS

+ When you get to your wit's end, you'll find God lives there.

+ Some minds are like concrete, thoroughly mixed up and permanently set.

+ God grades on the cross, not the curve.

+ You can tell how big a person is by what it takes to discourage him.

+ Don't give God instructions -- just report for duty!

+ If God is your Copilot - swap seats!

+ God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.














posted by HCL at 11:10 AM