A Cricket In New York City

Shhhhhh! Can You Hear It?
A Native American and his friend were in downtown New York City, walking
near Times Square in Manhattan. It was during the noon lunch hour and the
streets were filled with people. Cars were honking their horns, taxicabs
were squealing around corners, sirens were wailing, and the sounds of the
city were almost deafening.

Suddenly, the Native American said, "I hear a cricket."

His friend said, "What? You must be crazy. You couldn't possibly hear a cricket in all of
this noise!"

"No, I'm sure of it," the Native American said, "I heard a cricket."

"That's crazy," said the friend.

The Native American listened carefully for a moment, and then walked across
the street to a big cement planter where some shrubs were growing. He looked
into the bushes, beneath the branches, and sure enough, he located a small
cricket. His friend was utterly amazed.

"That's incredible," said his friend. "You must have superhuman ears!"

"No," said the Native American. "My ears are no different from yours. It all
depends on what you're listening for."

"But that can't be!" said the friend. "I could never hear a cricket in this
noise."

"Yes, it's true," came the reply. "It depends on what is really important to
you. Here, let me show you." He reached into his pocket, pulled out a few
coins, and discreetly dropped them on the sidewalk. And then, with the noise
of the crowded street still blaring in their ears, they noticed every head
within twenty feet turn and look to see if the money that tinkled on the
pavement was theirs.

"See what I mean?" asked the Native American. "It all depends on what's
important to you."

This was sent to me by Bear Warrior http://www.freewebs.com/yona-adatiya/index.htm


What is important to you? What do you listen for? Do you take time to be still and listen? If not start.

Everyone Is Here For A Reason

This is a great daily meditation put out each day by an organization called http://whitebison.org. You can get the daily meditations in your email by subscribing here http://www.whitebison.org/meditation/index.php

Elder's Meditation of the Day - April 19
"We all come from the same root, but the leaves are all different."
--John Fire Lame Deer, LAKOTA

We all come from one Great Spirit but we are all different and unique. Nothing in the Great Creation has a twin that is identical. Even children that are twins are different. Every single person is extremely special and unique. Each person has a purpose and reason why they are on the Earth. Just like every leaf on a tree is different, each one is needed to make the tree look like it does. No leaf is better or worse than the other—all leaves are of equal worth and belong on the tree. It is the same with human beings. We each belong here and do things that will affect the great whole.

Great Spirit, today, let me see myself as a valuable contributor to the whole.

Elders Teachings Each Day

For those of you that are into learning from Native American Elders there is a great daily meditation put out each day by an organization called http://whitebison.org. You can get the daily meditations in your email by subscribing here http://www.whitebison.org/meditation/index.php

It is a great service and I enjoy reading them each day. Makes me stop and think sometimes which is good. Take a minute and read about what whitebison does. I believe in what they are doing and support them.

Here is the meditation for today April 18, 2009


Elder's Meditation of the Day - April 18
"Our people don't come in parts. Either you are Indian, or you are not."
--Nippawanock, ARAPAHOE

We really need to take a look at how Indian People are talking about Indian People. We say there are Rez Indians, Traditional Indians, Urban Indians and Breeds. This type of thinking will keep us separated. An Indian is an Indian, a brother is a brother, a sister is a sister. We are all related. Today, let us respect ourselves and our people. Today, let me realize Indians are Indians.

Great Spirit, let me see the Unity of the People. Indians are Indians.

An Old Trick

Recently a routine Yakama, Washington police patrol car parked outside Pete's tavern. Late in the evening the officer noticed a young tribal man leaving the bar so intoxicated that he could barely walk. The man stumbled around the parking lot for a few minutes, with the officer quietly observing.

After what seemed an eternity and trying his keys on five vehicles, the man managed to find his car, which he fell into. He was there for a few minutes as a number of other patrons left the bar and drove off. Finally he started the car, switched the wipers on and off (it was a fine dry night) flicked the blinkers on, then off, honked the horn and then switched on the lights. He moved the vehicle forward a few inches, reversed a little and then remained still for a few more minutes as some more vehicles left. At last he pulled out of the parking lot and started to drive slowly down the road.

The police officer, having patiently waited all this time, now started up the patrol car, put on the flashing lights, promptly pulled the man over and carried out a breathalyzer test. To his amazement the breathalyzer indicated no evidence of the man having consumed alcohol at all! Dumbfounded, the officer said "I'll have to ask you to accompany me to the Police station this breathalyzer equipment must be broken."

"I doubt it," said the man, "Tonight I'm the designated decoy." Aye!!!! Old tribal trick!!?