Prayers From The Nations

[rubywillow]

I couldn't decide where this belonged, but decided to put it out there, and let others decide if these mean any of the things they do to me. I've been doing a lot of genealogical research, and concentrating right now on my 'American Indian' forebears, who call themselves 'The Nations'. Here are some of their beautiful prayers to 'The Great Spirit'.


May the stars carry your sadness aways.
May the flowers fill your heart with beauty.
May hope forever wipe away your tears,
And, above all, may silence make you strong.
Chief Dan George

Hold on to what is good,
Even if it's a handful of earth.
Hold on to what you believe,
Even if its a tree that stands by itself.
Hold on to what you do.
Even if it's a long way from here.
Hold on to your life.
Even if it's easier to let go.
Hold on to my hand,
Even if someday I'll be gone away from you.
A Pueblo Indian Prayer

Oh Great Spirit
help me always
to speak the truth quietly
to listen with an open mind
when others speak
and to remember the peace
that may be found in silence.
Cherokee Prayer

When you are in doubt, be still, and wait;
when doubt no longer exists for you, then go forward with courage.
So long as mists envelope you, be still.
Be still until the sunlight pours through and dispels the mists
---as it surely will.
Then act with courage.
Ponca Chief White Eagle

[IAD]

Prayers From The Nations

Way to go Ruby ! Like it.....IAD

[Savannah]

Prayers From The Nations

Wonderful research Ruby!

[mama bear]

Prayers From The Nations

I am of Cherokee Indian heritage and I love it...The Trail of Tears has always moved me....
Thanks Rubes

[runningwind]

Prayers From The Nations

Thanks Ruby, hope and thankfulness is definitely what keeps us all going!

runningwind

[mario]

Prayers From The Nations

lovely ruby lovely

[Guest]

Prayers From The Nations

Very Inspiring!

[Guitarista]

Prayers From The Nations

Thank's Ruby. x

[gyco]

Prayers From The Nations

hi rubes i came across this one, it is not a poem but a story,but i thot id add,ive done a lot of research,of late cause of my physical health issues,on aboriginal issues,in canada,cause i am canadian, one nnight an old ojibway told his gran son,about a battle that goes on in people,the battle is between 2 wolves,inside all of us,one is evil,angry,envious,jealous,sorrowful,regretful,gre edyy,arrogant,self rightous,resentful and it lies,the other is good,at peace,loves has humility and serenity and is a joy to be around,and mosly cherishes life and whats in it,the yung lad thot a moment, and asked ? which one wins. the old ojibway replied . the one you feed.gyco

[rubywillow]

Prayers From The Nations

Wonderful story, Gy. I've heard it, but had forgotten it. Hubs and I both have ancestors from the Nations, and I've been especially interested the last 20 years, since we bought our land in the N. Ga. mountains. There are SO many reminders of the Cherokee who were living there, peacefully, until 1853, when white settlers discovered gold there. President Andrew Jackson allowed the 'relocation' of 'the peoples' to the Indian Territories in the west, under the guidance of General Winfield Scott. This is known as The Trail Of Tears. Cherokees were taken from their homes, sometimes leaving their dinner on the table, and forced to march with little food and no protection from the elements, to their new home. Many died on the march, but many escaped the march and hid out in the protection of the mountains they knew and loved. There is now a thriving Indian nation at Cherokee, NC. The irony was that within a few years, gold was discovered in the west, and the great gold rush was on to that region, again displacing The People. The wrong wolf was fed for greed during this time. When I was drinking, I didn't pay that much attention to the history of the land. It's been wonderful, and inspiring, to learn more about my heritage, and to be able to remember it the next day!

[catch22]

Prayers From The Nations

Been meaning to post on this thread ..... Ruby Thanks for this i love it... The hold on one, i love the most....going to see my friend today well she finding it hard to walk and is scare if she falls over again, she said it like holding on to dear life, well she can always hold on to me until she gets her full recovery back.