By Earthables
While many of our ancestors believed Native Americans were a primitive, wild people that needed to be tamed, the reality is, that their lack of material goods led them to seek happiness and fulfillment within themselves and their community, which made them richer than most.
Our modern culture tends to follow the opposite credo with a bigger focus on physical “things,” and a lack of true personal understanding.
We can all learn something from the wisdom of the Native American culture, and these quotes in particular are likely to speak to your soul.
“Don’t be afraid to cry. It will free your mind of sorrowful thoughts.” – Hopi
The more we try to ignore, or hold back our emotions, the stronger those feelings get. Taking time to grieve helps to literally free your mind so that you can move on.
“Honor the sacred. Honor the Earth, our Mother. Honor the Elders. Honor all with whom we share the Earth: Four-leggeds, two-leggeds, winged ones, swimmers, crawlers, plant and rock people. Walk in balance and beauty.” – Native American Elder
Every living thing has a purpose – when we forget that, we throw off our inner balance, and the balance of the world around us.
As humanity’s connection with nature has greatly diminished, and people have paid more attention to greed, the Earth and many living things have suffered.
“Tell me and I’ll forget. Show me, and I may not remember. Involve me, and I’ll understand.” – Tribe Unknown
The only way to truly understand anything is to be a part of it. Experience something, walk in the footsteps of others, and you’ll understand.
“What is life? It is the flash of a firefly in the night. It is the breath of a buffalo in the wintertime. It is the little shadow which runs across the grass and loses itself in the sunset.” – Blackfoot
These were Blackfoot’s last words in 1890. In the beginning, it may seem as if the years go by slowly, but the more you age, the more you realize that life is really just a short moment in time – make the most of it.
“Those who have one foot in the canoe, and one foot in the boat, are going to fall into the river.” – Tuscarora
If you try to do too much, you end up failing – concentrate on one thing, and give it your best for success.
“You can’t wake a person who is pretending to be asleep.” – Navajo
Sometimes a person has become so hardened to the world around them or set in their ways that they refuse to see anything outside of their own little box – you cannot force them to wake up if they do not want to open their eyes.
“Those that lie down with dogs, get up with fleas.” – Blackfoot
The people you choose to surround yourself with and the environment you live in both have a significant effect on your life experience. Be sure to choose your home and friends well.