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 |  A journey through life, complete with life lessons! |
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** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only **  Thank you Wanbli Ska, for this beautiful gift of poetry! Welcome! I share with you here, some lessons through life, and from some old wise ones. Even children and animals have been my teachers. These experiences that we go through in life are meant to teach us something. To help us grow spiritually. Be grateful for them... give thanks, for they are all needed. ~SummerLyn |
** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ... when I was hungry, you fed me. When I was thirsty, you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. ~The Bible(Matthew 25:34-36) It's been awhile since I blogged. Time just hasn't been my friend and life has been calling me elsewhere. Yet, I thought to share a story of a long time friend of mine, who every day, feeds some stray cats where he works. Each morning, religiously, before he starts works he sets down food for a mother cat and her babies to eat and receive some nourishment. He comes in early just so he can accomplish this task. He doesn't look for anything in return from them. His love and dedication is unconditional. A perfect example of how we should all be. It needs to be remembered that what you do to your brother, you do to yourself. If I honor my brother...then it is, I honor myself. Remember: Mitakuye Oyasin! In Lakota, it means that we are all connected. We are all related. Just thought to place this out as a reminder this day, and to give 'honor' to my friend and brother. Wishing you peace in your moments ~  My 'Gift' Of Song For You This Day~  [Embed For Use By Upgraded+] |
** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** Love is the very essence of life. It is the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Yet it is not found only at the end of the rainbow. Love is at the beginning also, and from it springs the beauty that arched across the sky on a stormy day. ~ Gordon B. Hinckley A beautiful afternoon for you out there, and may you have a safe and happy weekend...although it must be remembered that the freedom of your ancestors from their perils meant the bondage of others of whom this land was taken from. Something to think about anyway! And well...yesterday's venture brought me over to downtown Rapid City where every Thursday evening they have a festival called, 'Summer Nights'. A time well spent! Aside from sharing some photos with you of the festival itself, I wanted to share this 'gift' given to me last night as I was leaving. Oddly, as I was taking this photo, a friend of mine...Clark, came to my mind. The memory of last summer and bringing him to the Cornerstone Mission as an eye opening experience for him, came to mind. I recalled how he had taken many photographs while there...and then my phone rang as I had just finished taking this shot. I fumbled to find my phone that was buried in my bag and there he was. He had just called. Surprisingly, as he was phoning me to let me know he was in town again, he looked up to see this beautiful rainbow. Talk about 'Magical' moments!  And well...since I am not familiar with getting them to 'rotate'...I will just share them as is... ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ...and the band played! can't remember the name of the band, but I thought they were very good! ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** I happened to catch my friend, John helping to set up for the Summer Night's Festival. ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ...and I know I have shared with you about my friend, Paul celebrating another year of being cancer-free. He was also on hand to enjoy this festival. Wishing I had more time to share more, but unfortunately I don't have it. Yet...It was a wonderful evening spent! ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** My 'Gift' Of Song For You This Day~ [Embed For Use By Upgraded+] |
** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** Let us not ever become Silent About those things that matter!!! ~Me ....The above quote came to me while I was deep in prayer one evening not too long ago. I believe it was brought to me, to bring me back to my 'purpose' here...things that matter. I've somehow gone off the track at times. You know, people of America...here we are...summer has finally arrived...I look here and there in these Black Hills and I see so many tourists. People who have saved for an entire year to arrive here in this part of America to see the sights. "Look!...There's Mt. Rushmore!"..."Ohhhhh...there's Crazy Horse Monument!" A beautiful place here in this country you have dubbed, The United States of America, but what you are all missing people, are those who go without voices, aside from those monuments. Lands that are being used as bombing ranges with people living not too far from them. The waters being poisoned and making people sick. I once asked an Elder, why it was they called this land you see in the picture above...The Badlands. She said, "Because it's no good Summer. Nothing would grow here...even the wasicu's 'devil' wouldn't live here." As she sat there rocking... she just sort of laughed and then looked down, as if recalling her past. And don't you knoww...they put the Lakota people here in hopes they wouldn't survive. This is something that matters people. To me, however...it's the most beautiful place...a place of peace, yet it speaks silently of suffering. Yes my friends, there are still people starving still! And you see that picture there?! You can find them there....but if you look good enough in your own area, you can find them there too! There are children that are lucky if they can get one meal aday. Some elders still live out in those lands with nothing to keep them from the frigid winter's cold, the strong blowing winds of the plains, but plastic as windows. Those harsh summers.... There are still many without electricity, never mind an air conditioner...nor do they have running water. And while I am not pitching for you to send your money anywhere...I am asking you to take notice that your Government lies to you. People of this "America" need to help their own before extending that hand out there to other countries. This is what matters. Take a look around your own area. There are people starving still! I find this appalling, especially when we pride ourselves in saying that we are the richest country in the world! I won't remain silent about this, when there are children and elders in need....even families now that are in need! It's all around you...just look! Educate yourself and help your neighbor when you can....for isn't that the Golden Rule? Love One Another! Personally..I am tired of seeing people suffering. Pleasant dreams when sleep finally finds you..... My 'Gift' Of Song For You This Night~ love the words in this.... [Embed For Use By Upgraded+] |
** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** Follow the three R's: - Respect for self. - Respect for others. - Responsibility for all your actions. ~Dalai Lama XIV Good to be back amongst the bloggers here at Bloggville! Even if it is for just a short while...I am happy to be here! Unfortunately, however, I have many blogs to catch up on. I did attempt it this morning, and one blog entry that stayed in my mind here, was PlannerDan  , with his latest blog entry:
What stood out, in particular, was something I didn't comment on. He made the comment: When I’m waiting for Max to eat his breakfast (Yes, I wait for my dog to eat breakfast…that is a whole other story) Back in the day when I had my three dogs: Cheyenne, Blue(in this photo), and Chip. I treated them as my own children. Whereever I went...they went. If I went to Dunkin Donuts...although I would get myself a coffee, they would all get an Egg & Cheese Croissant(sometimes w/bacon!) If I traveled anywhere and stopped at a drive thru(say...Burger King), when I ordered, it would always be for them as well. I swear those cashiers probably thought I was crazy with those orders of burgers, but they ate what I ate. If I wouldn't eat something...why would I give it to my 'children'. If I were at home...I would serve them, before my own self, and I would allow them to begin before I ate. It was out of 'respect' for them and to show honor. Dan's blog entry today reminded me of those times. These days, I don't have any pets simply due to either travel, or my now apartment living. I just feel animals should be as free as possible, and live as good as we do. I personally wouldn't want anyone to wait all day long for me to come home(especially in darkness.) Animals should be treated in a good way, in my opinion. Now...I don't know Dan's reasoning for why he waits for his companion, Max to eat first, but for me it was called, 'Honor and Respect' for another one of the Creators children. Just a thought this day! And well...since I used the quote above from the Dalai Lama...why not share it all.... The Dalai Lama's Instructions for life: Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk. When you lose, don't lose the lesson. Follow the three R's: - Respect for self. - Respect for others. - Responsibility for all your actions. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck. Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly. Don't let a little dispute injure a great relationship. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it. Spend some time alone everyday. Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer. Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll be able to enjoy it a second time. A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life. In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the current situation. Don't bring up the past. Share your knowledge. It is a way to achieve immortality. Be gentle with the earth. Once a year, go someplace you've never been before. Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other. Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it. Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon. ~Dalai Lama XIV My 'Gift' Of Song For You~ [Embed For Use By Upgraded+] |
** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** Tell me what you know about yourself, and I'll tell you what you know about 'God'. ...But then I suppose one can say..."Tell me what you know about 'God' and I will tell you what you know about yourself." Food for thought this night! Anyway...took this photo after a hard rain this evening from my window. I was sitting here checking email...The sky darkened...Thunder and lightening can be seen and heard...then lo and behold...after a little while, the sky brightened a most beautiful color and it lured me to the window to see a double rainbow waiting there for me. My old friend Mack once reminded me to always keep my chin up...it brought to mind what Charlie Chaplin once said...He said...You'll never find a rainbow if you're looking down. I think it was Charlie Chaplin...  ...Well..whoever it was had a very good point there.And well...another day has come and gone...Summer has begun and I welcome its arrival here. At the end of this long day...my 'gift' from the universe were these rainbows! I am grateful! Life is good...remember that, no matter how dark it may seem in your life, for even after a storm the sun will shine again and the most beautiful rainbow will be waiting there for you. My 'Gift' Of Song For You This Night~ [Embed For Use By Upgraded+] |
** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** In riding a horse, we borrow freedom ~ Helen Thompson A beautiful morning...too bad I have to work!  There are days when my mind wanders, and I say to myself, "Oh mannn..If I could only just enjoy my life more...like travel around this earth." Then I realize I can...and do! On this Computer, I get to reach out into other lands and visit with other people! Pretty cool if you ask me!  Sometimes though..I'd just like to reach out and touch someone...oh well  ...this will have to do. Just let me know what kind of a day I'd be having if I were there with you. I'd like to know if I am missing something or not! Over here..life is good! Yesterday was set aside for Father's. I sort of visited with Father Sun and pay my respects...My company was setting off to leave yesterday morning, and I decided to have them follow me over to my friends for a little visit before they ventured back home. Laura was playing the cute little 'suzy homemaker' and Austin was out rounding up cattle. I snapped this of him as the sun was just right...ohhh...I added some color into it and fixed it up a bit, but thought it came out pretty darn good. We all got to talking about riding horses and herding cattle. Austin made mention of it being a 'temporary' freedom...a comment of which our dear Laura took offense to, but I understood what he really meant. I love that feeling of 'freedom'! I've heard it said that cows are dumb, but you knowww...I don't think they really are. They have those who stand and face the sun...then they have the 'feelers' as I call them. Those are the ones who lay down and will know when a storm is coming...even an earthquake. I remember reading a story not too long ago, about some cows going into the slaughter house...one of them ran for his life and it took them forever to round it up. It was decided that it should be saved just for all the effort it made for its freedom. They do have feelings, and I am thinking perhaps it's not a good idea to be eating them anymore, so as soon as my freezer is empty of meat, I will give up on eating meat. Can you imagine the horror they must feel before being killed?! I personally think that everyone should feel 'good' myself. And well...coffee cups empty and I'm thinking I need to get a move-on! Heyyy!!!...Is it the first day of Summer?! I tell ya...Life is Good!!! My 'Gift' of Song For You This Day~ I just love these commericials! I think they are soooo funny! [Embed For Use By Upgraded+] |
** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** The Reality of The Other Person Lies Not In What He Reveals To You, But What He Cannot Reveal To You. Therefore, If You Would Understand Him, Listen Not To What He Says, But Rather To What He Does Not Say. ~ Khalil Gibran ....Around the homefront here...life is good!!! How about where you are?!My 'Gift' Of Song For You This Day~ [Embed For Use By Upgraded+] |
** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** Keep your face to the sun and you will never see the shadows. ~ Helen Keller ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** Such a beautiful day...I went to one of my favorite 'get-aways' down in Hot Springs. You all remember Hot Springs, don't you? Waterfalls...thermal springs...well, when the weather is good, I love to go down to the spring and either sit by it, or in it! Today, I did both! I packed up a lunch...grabbed one of my cameras and relaxed with nature. I talked...I listened...I listened some more. As I was sitting by the spring there, with my feet dancing in the water...I kept getting a visit from a dragon fly, who was insisting on staying with me. ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** I'd let it sit on my jeans for a bit, and then I'd shoe it off so I could get up for a drink or my camera..and back it would come again, in the same place. Finally, I decided to sit in the stream...I mean...after awhile, actually lay there in the stream with only my face above the water. The water is about 80 degrees...it was so inviting. I listened to the rushing water passing and then...there it was again...it landed on my nose. I really got a laugh from it. It either really wanted my attention or it just came to bring me that gift of laughter and joy. I finally sat up and then got up to get out of the stream. More company.... ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** I guess it decided to bathe in this water and sunshine as well. It didn't seem to care if it had to share the water with me...it just bathed and bathed and fluffed itself...dunked it's head under again and finally flew away. Pleasant...and joyful to share this day with nature. And well...as I sat there trying to dry a bit....I had just finished taking that photo of the sun coming down through the trees as I lay there on the grass...I felt the presence of another resident... ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** Woodpecker came today too, but he seemed much too busy and in a hurry circling around the tree above me, to pose for a picture, so didn't get one of him. It was such a beautiful day...I only wish you were there with me! I guess the next best thing are these photographs...I hope you receive joy from them, as I had received in this day! Life is good! Going to be busy soon, as I made mention in another entry, but will try to blog, or at least read blogs whenever I can. Enjoy your moments given~My 'Gift' Of Song For You This day Night! ~ [Embed For Use By Upgraded+] |
** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** If you think fast food is hittin a deer at 65 miles per hr.. you might be a redneck. ~Jeff Foxworthy It's been a long while now since I have seen my deer friends...was just thinking of that yesterday as I was sitting on a bench, out in the beautiful sunshine, eating hot dogs from the vendor there in Rapid City on St. Joseph St. I miss them.  And well...the weather seems to have made a more positive change. Yesterday was the most perfect day anyone could ever ask for. I was in town there for a doctor's appt with a friend accompanying me. I do believe that the sun was shining at it's best. The breeze was ever so gentle with a temperature of about 72. Oh mannn...heaven must have weather like this, I mentioned to my friend. My friend, in noting that, reminded me of something that seemed to have slipped my mind. He mentioned that since I moved into this place, my health has gone downhill, and you knowww...it's true! BTW...speaking of my friend...my long time friend of over 20 years reminded me that it was his 'birthday' last weekend...yes, he has been cancer-free for 6 years now! ((((((((( Congratulations to my friend, Paul Wounded Head! ))))))))) Wayyy to go my friend!!! Back to yesterdays events... The visit to the doctor yesterday brought me to have a chest x-ray and more medication. The doctor suggested taking some time off of work for awhile until I can get use to this medication that will regulate my heart...you knoww...those palpitations were getting to be a bit scary! Regardless, a ceremony will be done here at my place this weekend. We need to get to the bottom of this. As I mentioned, there are some dark entities in these hallways and the negativity is 'thick' here. Life is good otherwise! thinking I might just pack up a picnic lunch and head for Hot Springs today!...Going to be around 90 today...ain't nothing like bathing in a stream on a day like today. This song kept coming to my mind yesterday as I lifted my head to the skies and closed my eyes to take in all the warmth of the sun, so I think I will make it my 'gift' to you this day! [Embed For Use By Upgraded+] |
** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** Race and language makes no difference; the barriers are gone when persons can come together on high spiritual levels. ~Rolling Thunder It was also Rolling Thunder who said that When we're through with this earth and all these problems, we don't have to come back. But as long as we're here we have a job to do and a purpose to fulfill... that means dealing with the circumstances around us. We are in a world of constant change...I mean...look around you and you can see that it is evident. The wind will change during the course of the day...the weather. Even with the smallest change, it will cause our circumstances to change. Yet, we are given the tools to help us with those changes. My thought is that you should learn to recognize them and use them. One is prayer. Prayer to me, brings you back into balance. It helps you remember the 'law' of things and to live according to those laws. Speaking of prayer...Sun Dance Ceremony will be starting up soon. A beautiful ceremony, that for years was kept underground because the Oyate(People) were not allowed to practice their own 'religion'. I place 'religion' in quotations simply because I don't feel it is really a religion, but moreso, a Way of living. A Christian made a comment that it was strange and somewhat masochistic. They couldn't understand this Way. I shared that it can be paralleled to their own religion through Jesus the Christ. You see, he gave of his flesh so that others will live and these Sun Dancers do the same. They give 'freely', their flesh...there is no sacrifice. Just as Jesus gave, so do these Sun Dancers. They attach themselves to the 'Tree of Life' and after having danced and danced for all those hours in the sun, they pull back from that tree and their flesh remains and is given so that others may live. Others drag buffalo skulls just as Jesus had to carry that cross. That is the best way to describe this sacred Ceremony for non-natives. Through my journey in life, I have come to find that people of all races and religions...if they only stopped looking at the physical, and recognized the 'spirit', to see that we are all the same...inside all of us is the spirit. We will then see the 'spirituality' within others, and not religion. Don't know if that makes sense to people, but it's my thought for today. Carry on to your destiny in peace.... My 'Gift' Of Song For You This Day~ This Song by Denean paints a good image of the Sun Dance, and so I share it with you...Sung in English by Denean and in Lakota by Howard Bad Hand [Embed For Use By Upgraded+] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdLeBCZajks Lakota translation in song: Wankatakiya etunwan was'agya waciyo! (Looking upward, dance with strength!) Tunkashila iyuskinyan cekiyayo! (Joyfully, pray to Tunkashila!) Mitakuwe ob yanin kte lo! (So you and my relations will live!) |
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