The biggest mountain is made up of tiny grains of sand and earth. The swiftest, widest river is only tiny drops of water. And in the swell of the human race, you are just as important as the next person. It helps to know that one little drop of water is as complete in itself as the whole river or the entire sea. Even in the smallest way, a person is just as complete and miraculous as any smart invention on earth. It is only by words and actions that circumstances differ and lives take different routes. Each tiny part of anything if indefinitely important. Each petal on a daisy is necessary to give it balance to stand straight on its stem. Never say you are not important. You are not just important, you are essential. You have a definite purpose and it is a sacred responsibility.

~ We have reason to glory in the achievements of our ancestors. ~

O NO'SA

'A Cherokee Feast of Days', by Joyce Sequichie Hifler

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Elder's Meditation of the Day - February 16

"Because woman lives so close to our first mother, the Earth, she emanates the strength and harmonious nature of all things."

--Larry P. Aitken, CHIPPEWA

At an Elders gathering, held in July 1991, we were told the Indian woman would play an instrumental part in leading the healing of Indian nations. The old people said we were to look up to her in a sacred manner. They said the Earth Mother would give the woman special gifts of love. The woman and the Earth Mother are connected in a special way. Women should pay attention to the lessons coming from the earth. Men should treat the women with respect, dignity and honor.

Grandfather, Grandmother, give the Indian woman Your strength to heal our earth.