Daily Earth Medicine

Sunday November 12th 2006

Moon:11th Freeze Up Moon

Day:20

 

The Relentless Longing For Life

 

Nothing impressed the arrogant young warrior.  He always had some kind of comeback for the other young braves who shared in the summer games of their Nation.  He excelled in stick ball, he rode his pony with the ease of a seasoned warrior, he matched strength for strength, but his know-it-all, superior attitude repulsed others. 

     Many moons passed with no impropvement in his behavior, until one season's buffalo hunt.  The irritating younster had become a man, having hunted with the men for two seasons.  The Tribe's experienced hunters worried, because this brave was never considerate of the consequences of being a loner.  He finally paid the price of being gored by a buffalo, because he was not willing to work with his Brothers, observing the rules of safety.

     Nothing helped the infection that wracked his body.  The Holy People were baffled.  In a high fever, he cried out for help.  The spirits of the Ancestors answered him, saying, "You have never appreciated life and the opportunities you were given.  You have scorned others because their gifts were hard earned, while yours came easily.  You took everything for granted, but now you have the opportynity to change.  If you embrace humility and the relentless longing for life that insists that you appreciate every breath you take, you will heal."

     From that moon of healing blossomed a man who became gentle and strong, compassionate and humbly talented.  He earned a new name among his people.  He was later called Longs for Life.