I recently had to take a break from my work due to health reasons and a deep spiritual heartache. This proved to be very difficult as when I'm in pain all I want to do is pour myself into my work.
But all the teachings I have been given have shown me that when working with your hands and especially when working with medicine you must be in a good way, if not physically, especially mentally and spiritually and I definitely was not. Everything that is in your heart, mind and body goes into what you do. This is a way of life that I respect and try to follow.
I know you're thinking you can't just take a break from work whenever you are sick or not in a good way, but this is exactly what we must do to take care of ourselves. This kind of stress in our lives and in our bodies will make us sick in the future, maybe to the point where we cannot work at all. It has happened to me before so now I take the teachings seriously.
So as I sat contemplating my increasingly depressing situation, trying to make sense out of it I thought of my teachings and of all those women that gone before me, that have certainly gone through worse; my Mother, my Aunties, my Grandmother and so on....
I find it completely amazing and comforting to know that they have all long since passed yet they continue to teach me and guide me whenever I need them.
So I would like to share some of these teachings with you that have helped me through some tough times.
First:
- Try to keep your hands busy. Although I could not make medicine at this time I could make other things or just get caught up on sewing, baking and some general things that needed to be done that didn't take too much physical effort.
- Clean up your work space or where you spend a lot of time, a messy home brings a messy life, is not just a metaphor, it is a traditional teaching.
And Alphabetized! Well I was off for a whole week!
But all the teachings I have been given have shown me that when working with your hands and especially when working with medicine you must be in a good way, if not physically, especially mentally and spiritually and I definitely was not. Everything that is in your heart, mind and body goes into what you do. This is a way of life that I respect and try to follow.
I know you're thinking you can't just take a break from work whenever you are sick or not in a good way, but this is exactly what we must do to take care of ourselves. This kind of stress in our lives and in our bodies will make us sick in the future, maybe to the point where we cannot work at all. It has happened to me before so now I take the teachings seriously.
So as I sat contemplating my increasingly depressing situation, trying to make sense out of it I thought of my teachings and of all those women that gone before me, that have certainly gone through worse; my Mother, my Aunties, my Grandmother and so on....
I find it completely amazing and comforting to know that they have all long since passed yet they continue to teach me and guide me whenever I need them.
So I would like to share some of these teachings with you that have helped me through some tough times.
First:
- Try to keep your hands busy. Although I could not make medicine at this time I could make other things or just get caught up on sewing, baking and some general things that needed to be done that didn't take too much physical effort.
this is a headband I made out of a belt
I know it may look cluttered but it's clean!
And Alphabetized! Well I was off for a whole week!
- Go out into nature. This is a big one for me, I try to get out every day even when the weather is nasty. It helps to show me my place in the world and understand that we all have a place, even if it's just to walk my dogs lol
Hard to be sad hanging around these two
Do something for someone in need. During this time I wrote a letter to the family we sponsor in Pine Ridge ND, asking if they need anything extra other than the monthly food order. Last year all the kids needed winter coats. This puts things in perspective for me, instantly grateful for my life today and remembering what it's like to struggle daily for food and shelter.
- And last but not least, talk to an elder. Again to put things in perspective. After talking to my Auntie I am always left with something to think about other than myself and usually a good laugh.
and a smile
And before you know it back to usual or even a little better, whatever that is for you!
Wopila! Many Blessings, Mitakuye Oyasin
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