To Kill an American

To Kill an American >> >> >> You probably missed it in the rush of
news recently, but there was >> actually a report that someone in
Pakistan had published in a >> newspaper an offer of a reward to
anyone who killed an American, any >> American. >> >> So an
Australian dentist wrote an editorial the following day to let >>
everyone know what an American is . so they would know when they
found >> one. (Good one, mate!!!!) >> >> "An American is English, or
French, or Italian, Irish, German, >> Spanish, Polish, Russian or
Greek. An American may also be Canadian, >> Mexican, African,
Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Australian, >> Iranian, Asian, or
Arab, or Pakistani or Afghan. >> >> An American may also be a
Comanche, Cherokee, Osage, Blackfoot, >> Navaho, Apache, Seminole or
one of the many other tribes known as >> native Americans. >> >> An
American is Christian, or he could be Jewish, or Buddhist, or >>
Muslim. >> >> In fact, there are more Muslims in America than in
Afghanistan . The >> only difference is that in America they are
free to worship as each of >> them chooses. >> >> An American is
also free to believe in no religion. For that he will >> answer only
to God, not to the government, or to armed thugs claiming >> to
speak for the government and for God. >> >> An American lives in the
most prosperous land in the history of the >> world. >> >> The root
of that prosperity can be found in the Declaration of >>
Independence , which recognizes the God given right of each person
to >> the pursuit of happiness. >> >> An American is generous.
Americans have helped out just about every >> other nation in the
world in their time of need, never asking a thing >> in return. >>
>> When Afghanistan was over-run by the Soviet army 20 years ago, >>
Americans came with arms and supplies to enable the people to win
back >> their country! >> >> As of the morning of September 11,
Americans had given more than any >> other nation to the poor in
Afghanistan . Americans welcome the best >> of everything...the best
products, the best books, the best music, the >> best food, the best
services. But they also welcome the least. >> >> The national symbol
of America, The Statue of Liberty , welcomes your >> tired and your
poor, the wretched refuse of your teeming shores, the >> homeless,
tempest tossed. These in fact are the people who built >> America.
>> >> Some of them were working in the Twin Towers the morning of
September >> 11, 2001 earning a better life for their families. It's
been told that >> the World Trade Center victims were from at least
30 different >> countries, cultures, and first languages, including
those that aided >> and abetted the terrorists. >> >> So you can try
to kill an American if you must. Hitler did. So did >> General Tojo,
and Stalin, and Mao Tse-Tung, and other blood- thirsty >> tyrants in
the world. But, in doing so you would just be killing >> yourself.
Because Americans are not a particular people from a >> particular
place. They are the embodiment of the human spirit of >> freedom.
Everyone who holds to that spirit, everywhere, is an >> American.

Sound Of Stillness

Our lives are typically filled with noise. There are the noises
from the outside world that we cannot control, and there are the
noises we allow into our lives. These noises, from seemingly
innocuous sources like the television and radio, can actually help
us avoid dealing with uncomfortable thoughts and emotions. However,
using noise as a distraction hurts more than it helps because you
are numbing yourself to what may be internally bubbling up to the
surface for you to look at and heal. Distracting yourself with talk-
radio, television, or other background noises can also prevent you
from finding closure to issues that haunt you. Noise as a
distraction can affect us in many ways. It can help you stay numb to
emotions that you don't want to feel, allow you to avoid dealing
with problems, distract you from having to think, and make it easier
for you to forget reality. Drowning out the thoughts and emotions
you find uncomfortable or overwhelming can complicate your issues
because it allows them to fester. By tuning out noise and relishing
silence, you create the space to experience and express what you are
hiding. It is only then that self-exploration can begin in earnest
and you can stare down frightening issues. In silence, it becomes
easier to let your strongest feelings come forth, deal with them,
and find new ways of resolving your problems. When you go within
without the veil of noise to shield you from yourself, you'll be
able to figure out what you need to heal. Embracing silence and
introspection allows you to work through your thoughts and emotions
and transmute them. Free of the need for noise, you can accept your
pain, anger, and frustration as they come up and turn them into
opportunities to evolve.

A Mix-blood People

We, as a Mix-blood People, are the result of centuries of
cultivation and breeding. It is the rejection from all single minded
people to reject what they see as un-pure. We have been around since
the first migration of the first people of the Americans to "just
over the hill". Our pattern for this mixing is imbedded in the
spirit of any who venture forth to, a new land, new place to
worship, new relationship, or any of the other NEW you can imagine.
We have been involved in every action of the Americas. We were at
the first battle between "Nations". When it came to rejection, we
were there to accept those who were rejected by their OWN peoples.
We fed, protected, clothed and generally proved the 10 commandments
by actions rather than words. The Death March of the Cherokee, what
about the death march of the Ojibway. We were there to make sure all
the Ojibway made it to Canada in the dead of winter out of Montana.
The Ojibway made the march safely but the loss to the Metis was over
80%. We have Medal of Honor awarded, just as all other races in
America. We were some of the best War Chiefs of the First Nations
against the U S troupes.

Is there a reason to be proud to be Metis, Mix-bloods, Halfbreeds,
and any other member of the combined blood of the many peoples of
the Americas. Yes, if the above isn't enough then seek out the
History books on the back shelves of the library, the used
bookstores, and the research centers in the colleges and
universities of the Americas. Nothing there, then write a book or
paper or story and provide the first step to awakening the People to
who and what we are. Go ahead, give it a try and while your at it,
add to our knowledge by posting your thoughts and findings here too.

Finding Your Next Step

Finding Your Next Step In Life Our lives are made up of a complex
network of pathways that we can use to move from one phase of life
to the next. For some of us, our paths are wide, smooth, and clearly
marked. Many people, however, find that they have a difficult time
figuring out where they need to go next. Determining which "next
step" will land you on the most direct route to fulfillment and the
realization of your life purpose may not seem easy. There are many
ways to discover what the next step on your life path should be. If
you are someone who seeks to satisfy your soul, it is vital that you
make this inquiry. Often, your inner voice will counsel you that
it's time for a change, and it is very important to trust yourself
because only you know what is best for you. Personal growth always
results when you let yourself expand beyond the farthest borders of
what your life has been so far. When figuring out what your next
step will be, you may want to review your life experiences. The
choices you've made and the dreams you've held onto can give you an
idea of what you don't want to do anymore and what you might like to
do next. It is also a good idea to think about creative ways you can
use your skills and satisfy your passions. Visualizing your perfect
future and making a list of ways to manifest that future can help
you choose a logical next step that's in harmony with your desires.
Meditation, journal writing, ta! king a class, and other creative
activities may inspire you and provide insight regarding the next
step in life that will bring you the most satisfaction. It is when
you are willing to listen to yourself and be fearless that figuring
out your next step becomes easy. Beneath the fear and hesitation and
uncertainty lies your inner knowing that always knows which step you
need to take next. If you can allow the taking of your next step to
be as easy as putting one foot in front of the next, you'll notice
that your next step is always the one that is right in front of you.
All you have to do is put one foot forward and on the groun

LISTEN FOR MY BELL

Just up the road from my home is a field, with two horses in it.
From a distance, each looks like every other horse. But if you stop
your car, or are walking by, you will notice something quite
amazing. Looking into the eyes of one horse will disclose that he is
blind. His owner has chosen not to have him put down, but has made a
good home for him. This alone is amazing. If nearby and listening,
you will hear the sound of a bell. Looking around for the source of
the sound, you will see that it comes from the smaller horse in the
field. Attached to her halter is a small bell. It lets her blind
friend know where she is, so he can follow her. As you stand and
watch these two friends, you'll see how she is always checking on
him, and that he will listen for her bell and then slowly walk to
where she is, trusting that she will not lead him astray. When she
returns to the shelter of the barn each evening, she stops
occasionally and looks back, making sure her friend isn't too far
behind to hear the bell. Like the owners of these two horses, God
does not throw us away just because we are not perfect or because we
have problems or challenges. He watches over us and even brings
others into our lives to help us when we are in need. Sometimes we
are the blind horse being guided by the little ringing bell of those
who God places in our lives. Other times we are the guide horse,
helping others see. Good friends are like this. You don't always see
them, but you know they are always there. Please listen for my bell
and I'll listen for yours

A Life Of Passion

There are times in life when we are committed to pursuing our
passions. Every molecule in our body is focused on doing what we
love. At other times, necessity and responsibility dictate that we
put our dreams aside and do what needs to be done. It is during
these moments that we may choose to forget what it is that we love
to do. There are many other reasons for why we may leave our
passions behind. A hobby may lose its appeal once we've realize it
will never turn into our dream job. Someone important to us may keep
telling us that our passions are childish and unsuitable - until we
finally believe them. Forgetting about what you love to do can be a
form of self-sabotage. If you can forget about your dreams, then you
never have to risk failure. But just because we've decided to ignore
our passions doesn't mean they no longer exist. Nothing can fill the
emptiness that remains in a space vacated by a passion that we have
tossed aside. Besides, life is too short to stop doing what you
love, and it is never too late to rediscover your favorite things.
If you gave up playing an instrument, painting, drawing, spending
time in nature, or any other activity or interest that you once
loved to do, now may be the time to take up that passion again. If
you don't remember what it is that you used to be passionate about,
you may want to think about the activities or interests that you
used to love or the dreams that you always wished you could pursue.
You don't have to neglect your responsibilities to pursue your
passions, and you don't have to neglect your commitments to do what
you love. When you make an effort to incorporate your interests into
your life, the fire within you ignites. You feel excited, inspired,
and fed by the flames that are sparked by living your life with
passion for what you love.

Gathering For Truth

Satsang is a Sanskrit word combining "satya" meaning "truth"
and "sangha" meaning "group. " It describes a gathering of people
for the purpose of spiritual truth. Satsang is often used when
referring to a meeting with a guru or a spiritual mentor. During
Satsang, participants read inspiring words, discuss its teachings,
meditate, and find ways to bring this awareness into daily life.
While attending services or spiritual study groups can be thought of
as participating in Satsangs, this practice can also apply to any
group of people that are gathered to inspire one another and express
the truth free from judgment. A Satsang can be a group of people
that are gathered to sing, play, or listen to music. All that needs
to be there is the intention to inspire one another and tell the
truth. A Satsang can also be a support group, book club, yoga class,
or meeting between friends for coffee or conversation. We don't need
to be in a place of worship or supervised by appointed leaders to
experience the truth. The truth can be found in every moment and it
can be experienced with anyone. Spending time with someone who
enlightens us can be as simple as visiting with a grandmother or
talking to a best friend. There is wisdom to be gleaned from being
with people even when the gatherings are not specifically intended
for personal improvement or spiritual transformation. Any occasion
we are gathered with people who understand and support us can be a
spiritual experience. While gatherings with the intention of
communing with spirit are undoubtedly powerful and inspiring,
getting together with people that uplift us by their presence alone
is also vital to our well- being. When we recognize all the people
we know that support and enrich us, our lives can become an extended
Satsang. What a wonderful thing. The wisdom can also bring
enlightenment and release from burdens that do not belong to us.
Those who are supportive and choose to join in a good way can give
us so many gifts that there is no way to count them. Learning to
discern those who do not support also are of great value as a
lesson. Benefits I feel now from it have me free as an Eagle in
flight at it's highest. Blessings untold have come from so many of
these lessons. I can not thank you enough Grandfather Two Bears for
taking the time to share these pearls of wisdom. I had too often
fell into thinking that I was alone without family and tonight it
has become the realization that the Metis are my home and my family
and I will never be alone for two legged company of the loving and
kind sort. My view of hero's has also changed a great deal, I now
see many more where my vision was before limited. Charity,
compassion, gifting of healing and service to others in the
humbleness of the ways of our People set a beautiful example that
can shed light in the darkest of hours for those in true need. It is
in that service that one can with the truth lead by example and
honor of who we are as a People. Part of my inspiration is an
inaugural speech many remember, this has nothing to do with politics
the URL is at the bottom; it has everything to do with Walking the
Way, leading by example. If we can do this one person at a time, we
will as a People given more to Our Mother, Turtle Island than what
she has seen in many a year. 1,000 Points of Light: making it a
reality. "America has always led by example. So who among us will
set this example? Which of our citizens will lead us in this next
American century? Everyone who steps forward today, to get one
addict off drugs; to convince one troubled teen-ager not to give up
on life; to comfort one AIDS patient; to help one hungry child. We
have within our reach the promise of renewed America. We can find
meaning and reward by serving some purpose higher than ourselves—a
shining purpose, the illumination of a thousand points of light. It
is expressed by all who know the irresistible force of a child's
hand, of a friend who stands by you and stays there—a volunteer's
generous gesture, an idea that is simply right. The problems before
us may be different, but the key to solving them remains the same:
it is the individual—the individual who steps forward. And the state
of our Union is the union of each of us, one to the other: the sum
of our friendships, marriages, families and communities. We all have
something to give. So if you know how to read, find someone who
can't. If you've got a hammer, find a nail. If you're not hungry,
not lonely, not in trouble—seek out someone who is. Join the
community of conscience. Do the hard work of freedom. That will
define the state of our Union. "
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0900156.html Who of all of our people
can see the wisdom in these words and walk back to their sofas and
remote controls and not be touched? Will you turn on the TV or call
a friend that you know needs to hear from someone. It does not
matter the political side of the speech but the words I find, could
not be wiser. Are we strong enough as Americans, as Metis People, as
Aboriginal People to breathe life into these words?