We are Native Americans

Until you've walked in the rain, you cannot truly appreciate the protection of shelter. Unless you've felt the heat from a sweltering sun, you cannot fully enjoy the coolness of shade. Only after the clatter and bang of crowded places can you find quietness and solitude so soothing to the nerves. Before you can stop worrying and start living, there must be an elimination of fear which is the cause of all worry. Sometimes, unfortunately, we must collide with the bad before we can totally appreciate the good. It is said that we too often must be reminded of our obligations before we take charge of them. Frequently it seems we must have our freedom threatened before we muster enough patriotism to defend it. Too many shoulders are bowed by our thoughtlessness before we finally learn the key to real success is kindness. We never know how truly wonderful it is to be loved until we are loved when we've failed to deserve it. M.R. Smith's words, "God's plans, like lilies pure and white untold - We must not tear the close shut leaves apart - Time will reveal the calyxes of gold," reveal, after all, that patience does its perfect work.

"I think there was a big mistake made (when) people separated religion and the government. That was one of the big mistakes that was made, because when they did that, then they removed the Creator from their life - or at least from half to three-quarters of their life." --Tom Porter, MOHAWK– The Elders tell us that every thing the Creator made is interconnected. Nothing can be separated. The Elders say we should pray before we do anything. We should ask the Creator, what do You want us to do? We are put on the Earth to do the will of God. If we run our governments, communities, families or ourselves without the spiritual we are doomed to failure. My Creator, guide my life to include the spiritual in everything I do.