Waterbird's Nest: Expectations

Dale Auger

Dale Auger: On Art, Blood and Kindred Spirits
by Terri Mason

Defining Dale Auger in one sentence is akin to releasing the colours of a diamond in one cut. It can’t be done. It’s the many facets that release a diamond’s true brilliance, as it is the many facets of Auger’s life, education, ancestry, experiences and beliefs that have shaped and polished his work into the internationally acclaimed and collected artist that he is today.

Born a Sakaw Cree from the Bigstone Cree Nation in northern Alberta, Auger’s education began as a young boy when his mother would take him to be with the elders. “I used to say to myself, ‘Why is she leaving me with these old people?’ – but today I see the reason; I was being taught in the old way.”

Auger’s respect for traditional teachings led him on a journey to study art, opening the door to a doctorate in education. He is a talented playwright, speaker and visual artist whose vividly coloured acrylics have captured the attention of collectors that reads like an international ‘Who’s Who’ spanning English to Hollywood royalty. The essence of his work is communication, and now Dr. Auger has come full circle, interpreting the life of his culture – from the everyday to the sacred - through the cross-cultural medium of art.

Read the rest here:

http://www.daleauger.com/printversionbio.cfm

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Expectations

By: Pamela Waterbird Davison

Expectations leak out of us everyday in every way. Somehow we overflow with ideas of how we think people should behave or respond. And when our expectations are not met we become severely disappointed, laid to waste, and languish in our discontent; because that, too, is what we’ve come to expect.

We imagine our just rewards and cannot find the answers when compensation is not forthcoming. We call out to God, “Why has this happened? I’ve done everything. I can’t understand it.” Even God fails to come forward with a reasonable explanation.

Then we penalize the perpetrators of our anguish only to find in the end that what we’ve really done is punish ourselves. Joy disappears between the layers of mistrust we leave behind and it’s very sad indeed.

But what if we could change our perspective and expectations? What if there were a way to eliminate so much heartache and despair?

There are two very simple things to be done.

First is no incentive other than making your presence in someone’s life the very best it can be without waiting for the same in return. Even if you fall short of their expectations, yours will have been met. There is nothing more satisfying than knowing you’ve lived up to what you believe is the best you can offer.

Second is by far the most worthwhile of endeavors. Forgiveness is and always will be the greatest challenge human’s face. Yet it is the single thing we can do for our fellow humans and for ourselves that will free us from the tyranny of disenchantment and grant us tranquility unrivaled by any other emotion, including love, only because forgiveness begins with love.

What if we made the decision to love regardless of vows broken, harm committed, or expectations unmet? What if love was the only motivation to give of your self to anyone? Not acceptance, appreciation, or other recognition. Only love.

You may be cynical at first. It’s allowed. But I assure you that if you love without expectation you will find yourself freer than you ever thought possible.

We Indians are taught to learn from our elders and the stories they bring us, yet the greatest elder of all is the one living inside you. Listen, learn, forgive, and love. You won’t be disappointed.