F – false
E – evidence
A – appearing
R – real
It’s startling to think of how much fear is the basis for everything in this world. I mean think about it. We have fear of intimacy, fear of terrorism, fear of success, fear of failure. The driver with road rage is either afraid he won’t make his appointment on time or he’s afraid of looking weak. The murderer kills because he’s afraid of what will come out if the victim lives or he’s afraid of looking weak. The ironic thing is that fear is the very thing that makes us weak. A woman throws herself at every man she can because she’s afraid she isn’t attractive or afraid she has nothing of value to offer. We live and die, make huge life decisions derived from a bottom line of fear.
So I looked up the word FEAR for a solid definition. Webster’s New World dictionary says the following:
1. a feeling of anxiety and agitation cause by the presence or nearness of danger, evil, pain, etc. 2. respectful dread, awe; reverence. 3. a feeling of uneasiness or apprehension; concern.
It’s interesting to think on these things from a detached point of view. When I think back on my younger years and realize how many mistakes I made based solely on the idea of fear it becomes abundantly clear to me. I didn’t have children because I was afraid on very many levels for very many reasons. I married because I was afraid I wasn’t worthy of better. Oh sure, I loved the guy but my choice to marry, if I’m being honest with myself, wasn’t for love…it was for fear of losing.
Now I’ve learned that life isn’t something to be afraid of if you’re telling the truth and walking your talk. It’s okay to be late for an appointment. It’s okay to be weak. It’s okay to live and die fearlessly. In fact, if we live as though there were nothing to be afraid of then we are living fully and willfully. How cool is that idea? How cool it is to know that no matter what questions we ask or how many times we ask them we don’t have to be afraid…as long as the questions are coming from a place of honesty and truth. No hidden agenda. No secret identity. We can be who we are.
Can you imagine how wonderful it would be if people could simply relax, let themselves live without concentrating so much on what might or might not be? Letting go of all the anxiety is so empowering. I’ve seen it for myself in my own day to day living. Who cares if I’m attractive enough? If someone doesn’t like the way I look they don’t have to hang around me. Who cares if my house is the cleanest? In a hundred years who will be around to talk about it? So what if I don’t win a singing competition? There will be someone who wants to hear my song, even if it’s just the trees and dogs and birds and lizards.
This is one of the big things I’ve learned over the last two years. I’m not here to agree with you. I’m not afraid if we disagree. I’m not here for my reputation or yours. I’m here to tell my truth. I’m here to walk my talk. I’m here to teach. I’m here to learn. Where ever that leads me I will not be afraid. False evidence will never appear real to me. It’s all a part of the journey and even death doesn’t scare me. This is what makes me free.
Try it. I bet you like it.
Where we can learn and grow together in truth and respect.
"We did not think of the great open plains, the beautiful rolling hills, and winding streams with tangled growth as "wild". To us it was tame. Earth was bountiful and we were surrounded with the blessings of the Great Mystery."
Luther Standing Bear - Rosebud Sioux
Luther Standing Bear - Rosebud Sioux
Guardian of the Water Medicine
Dale Auger
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
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
About Me
- Waterbird -
- I am a single voice hidden within the vast and overwhelming society. My ancestors demand to be heard and not forgotten. I will use my voice to bring about awareness of issues within Indian Country, both past and present, teach to build a bridge of understanding, and share my most heartfelt passions...the people.
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Triviality
We were as old as the land,
Disillusioned warriors
Submerged in abandoned dreams
And drowning in our dead.
Resting the in yellow promise
Of vandalizing tongues,
We trusted the honor of those
Who stipulated the terms of submission.
And we surrendered all we’d known
For the sakes of our unborn
As the elders mourned the mutilation
Of traditions that defined us as a people.
We became a necklace of broken hearts
Buried in deceit
While our young faded like a photograph
In their eclipsed heritage.
Yet pride bulges from our grieving chest
Withstanding the brunt
Of mockery’s spear and the trail of tears;
We survive.
We are Turtle Island,
Emerging from emaciated hopes
To revitalize our purpose
On the sacred wheel.
We are not a sub-species,
Decomposing in the cage of triviality.
We are the eagle,
Refusing to die.
By: Pamela Waterbird Davison aka Weighs The Truth
Disillusioned warriors
Submerged in abandoned dreams
And drowning in our dead.
Resting the in yellow promise
Of vandalizing tongues,
We trusted the honor of those
Who stipulated the terms of submission.
And we surrendered all we’d known
For the sakes of our unborn
As the elders mourned the mutilation
Of traditions that defined us as a people.
We became a necklace of broken hearts
Buried in deceit
While our young faded like a photograph
In their eclipsed heritage.
Yet pride bulges from our grieving chest
Withstanding the brunt
Of mockery’s spear and the trail of tears;
We survive.
We are Turtle Island,
Emerging from emaciated hopes
To revitalize our purpose
On the sacred wheel.
We are not a sub-species,
Decomposing in the cage of triviality.
We are the eagle,
Refusing to die.
By: Pamela Waterbird Davison aka Weighs The Truth
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waterbird61@yahoo.com
Thought for the day...
We do not own the earth, we borrow it from our grandchildren.
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Here is where I offer one piece of music and one video. If you know of music or video you think should be shared please contact me. Enjoy.
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