Human beings often promote systems, structures, ideologies, and lifestyles that undermine their own survival. This paradox is baffling. Clean air, water, soil, and a stress-free life are essential for our well-being, yet we persist in destructive habits. To change, we must adopt different values and live them out. Our Indigenous ancestors understood this wisdom deeply. Respect, harmony, friendship, humor, equality, authenticity, history, balance, generosity, and accountability are foundational. By embracing these values, we reconnect with the sacred Earth and foster community. Let's integrate these principles into our lives, honoring our interconnectedness and committing to a more sustainable future.
Respect: Respect everyone. Everyone and everything is sacred.
Harmony: Seek harmony and cooperation with people and nature.
Friendship: Increase the number and depth of your close friends and family.
Humor: Laugh at yourself; we are merely human.
Equality: Everyone expresses their voice in decisions.
Authenticity: Speak from your heart.
History: Learn from the past. Live presently by looking back.
Balance work and rest: Work hard, but rest well.
Generosity: Share what you have with others.
Accountability: We are all interconnected. We are all related.
May we embrace the wisdom of our ancestors, cultivating respect,
harmony, friendship, humor, equality, authenticity,
history, balance, generosity, and accountability,
as we strive to live in harmony with the Earth and each other,
fostering a sustainable future rooted in interconnectedness and community.
(adapted from: Randy Woodley, Becoming Rooted)
This article makes me remember....and realize how very lucky I was to have the parents, living
situation and education that I received . And I am sooooo grateful for support and guidance that I received in a family of 5 girls to become educated and succeed at work /goals of our choices.
It strikes me how each one of these beautiful values stems from, and is made possible by, first arriving in a relationship of true love of oneself. Applying them all first in that direction is where oh so many of us need to begin. Counting me. Thanks for this.