Searching for a sacred place

Once upon a time there were four brothers . Each was searching for
a place to have a vision quest. Before they left there village,
they were told how to find their place and what to do when they
arrived at it.

The first brother was one who needed things done NOW and he took the
first place he came to that was off the trail and a bit secluded.
He set up his alter in a half fast fashion. He didn't have his pipe
separated and the pipe was not set in parts. There were no tobacco
ties nor smudge material. He returned to the village after 3 days
and said his vision quest was without a vision but he didn't need a
vision to know what was his path. He left the village in shame for
his follies.

The second brother was a slow very lazy kind of person. His vision
place was a clearing where the buffalo rolled and dusted
themselves. His set up was a bear rug on the dirt and he sat and
slept for (4) four days. When he returned to the village he was
told that he could not join the men on their hunt. He was a danger
to everyone who went to the hunt. He died a lonely man.

The third Brother left for his vision quest with the thought of
going over the mountains and coming back in (4) days with something
not know to the Elders and thus becoming a person of high position
in the council fires. He never returned.

The fourth brother was a person of average being. He went to his
quest with the instructions of the elders in the front of his mind.
He traveled to a place where there were caves and there he found a
spot that was and felt calm to him. He set out all his medicine
bundle and set up his alter with reverence. He had his tobacco ties
and strung them where the needed to be. He kept asking for aid
from the Spirit People and thanking the Creator for the chance to be
apart of this wonderful world. He was visited by four Spirit
Animals who gave him instructions to help his people through what
was coming in the future. He did a sweat, a proper Prayer Pipe. He
was blessed with the ability to think fast and be true to his Way.
When he left the cave, he thanked Earth Mother of the shelter she
provided and peace he discovered. His life was changed and he had
his internal sacred space as well as his cave to Quest in. When he
returned to the village, he told what he had learned and his people
were able to survive through out their lives in peace and harmony.

If you have a special scent that helps you be calm, put some in a
hanky or a small piece of material and when you need to be calm,
smell the scent and BE where you remember the calmness of the
scent. Light a small candle for a second if that is what calms you
and be in your sacred place. Maybe hum a melody that reminds you of
your sacred place. Sacred places are made by people visiting them
and having a good feeling when they leave. Maybe instead of going
away to find your sacred place, you look where you are and make your
own Sacred Place. One you can share,..... or not....., as you see
fit.

If you start each day as if it were the last day of your life and
end your day as if it were the first day of your life and be
thankful for all you have learned...you will be at peace and have
your sacred space.