January 2022 Post
A New Year – A New Day
When I was young, I made resolutions each year and then discovered that I rarely kept them. Maybe I made too many. Perhaps I didn’t focus on them enough. Now that I’m older, I realize it isn’t necessary to make resolutions but remember that each New Year and a new day are gifts. Now my practice is to keep in mind that loving, forgiving, and being grateful are ways to live in peace. Accepting people where they are on their journey and encouraging one another without judgment makes a huge difference. I remember that the Divine is always with me. It’s up to me to make positive choices each new day and help make this world a better place.
I can still hear my mother share stories and quotes she read about the Native Americans and how they viewed life. She would stop and say, “listen to this,” and read what impressed her and said that we can learn a lot from their culture. Recently, I’ve been reading many Native American quotes about various topics. The following are a few examples that are beautiful reminders for us during these challenging days.
“Sharing and giving are the ways of God.” – Sauk
“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
“You can’t wake a person who is pretending to be asleep.” – Navajo
“It is no longer good enough to cry peace; we must act peace, live peace, and live in peace.” – Shenandoah
“Wisdom comes only when you stop looking for it and start living the life the Creator intended for you.”
“Don’t let yesterday use up too much of today.” – Cherokee
Native American Ten Commandments
- Treat the Earth and all that dwell therein with respect
- Remain close to the Great Spirit
- Show great respect for your fellow beings
- Work together for the benefit of all Mankind
- Give assistance and kindness wherever needed
- Do what you know to be right
- Look after the well-being of Mind and Body
- Dedicate a share of your efforts to the greater Good
- Be truthful and honest at all times
- Take full responsibility for your actions
How are you viewing the New Year? How do you approach each new day?
Wow! This is something to focus on for
2022. Great blog! Always look forward to your monthly writing!
Thank you, Dawn. I really enjoy sharing.
I just love this. Thank you for sharing. I agree that the more I learn about the Native American culture the more I realize that what I was taught in school was not an accurate representation of their wisdom. And I’m with you on the resolutions too. I remember when I was in my 20s, 30s and even 40s I made resolutions each year, some I kept, some I wasn’t able to keep. And now, in my 60s I realize that life is more of an everyday thing. The beautiful new year will be full of both challenges and victories, joys and sorrows, and at this age, I think I can say I have more confidence in my ability to roll with the challenges and celebrate the joys. I think I’d be bored if life were peaceful all the time with no swings. Cheers to all that is to come and all that has been and especially this moment right now XO!
Oh, and to answer your other question, I approach each new day with this prayer to my loving Creator: “Please work and play through me for the benefit of all.”
Thank you Jen, for your comments. There are many advantages with aging, along with the challenges. I love how you keep going, You are so gifted. Thank you for your ongoing inspiration and oh, I love your daily prayer! Thank you again. Sandy
My morning check-in: How can I be of service today?
Sandy, you live your words; you are a role model for all of us.
Dear Priscilla,
A great question for each of us. It’s great that we can decide what service to do. The small things are just as important as doing larger deeds. Thank you for your kind words but really each day I get to practice! Each new day I have a choice but don’t always hit the mark. That is ok because I get to practice again.HA
Keep shining your light as you do well! (I don’t mean your flashlight either.) 🙂
Sandy