Friday, June 26, 2009
Great Garbage Patch
As a tribute to World Ocean Month this June, I urge everyone to learn more about the Pacific Garbage Patch, which is a huge vortex of plastic garbage floating in the Pacific Ocean twice the size of Texas! It is very disturbing and many people still don't know it exists!
Please reduce your consumption of plastics!
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
My Miracle Baby
On June 10th I went to the doctor for my normal 38 week checkup. It turns out I had VERY high blood pressure which I didn't have at all throughout the pregnancy. I also had a lot of protein in my urine. All indicators of a problem. My Dr. decided I must go into the hospital that night to be induced. She said my blood pressure was so high I could have a stroke!
So later that night I checked in around 10 pm. After everything, they started to induce me at 2 am. By 5 am I starting getting strong contractions and by 6 it was so bad I decided to get an epidural. They also suggested it because by then my blood pressure was even more high.
By 7 am I got the epidural and it was kicking in and thankfully my blood pressure was lowering. At 710 I was 6 cm dilated. Within 15 minutes I was fully dilated and she was ready to come!
Literally after 4 pushes she was delivered!
But then something was wrong. Everyone was in a rush with the baby. It turns out the umbilical cord was tightly wrapped 4 times around her neck, 1 time around her shoulder and had 2 knots in it!
She was blue and not moving when born. They quickly cut the cord and was able to revive her. Then I heard her first cry and knew she was fine.
The doctors told me they never saw anything like it before. Never that many knots and wraps around the neck without the baby surviving!
So you can imagine it was all very emotional.
The doctors kept saying "That's one lucky baby!"
Alenka means lucky in polish! Her middle name is Milena which means miracle.
It truly is the perfect name because she is one lucky miracle baby!
She was 5 lbs and 18 inches long and born at 735 am on June 11th. A perfect baby girl!
She is doing excellent and I am relieved it all went well otherwise.
Also, my son adores her which is such a relief as well because I didn't know how he would take to her. :)
So later that night I checked in around 10 pm. After everything, they started to induce me at 2 am. By 5 am I starting getting strong contractions and by 6 it was so bad I decided to get an epidural. They also suggested it because by then my blood pressure was even more high.
By 7 am I got the epidural and it was kicking in and thankfully my blood pressure was lowering. At 710 I was 6 cm dilated. Within 15 minutes I was fully dilated and she was ready to come!
Literally after 4 pushes she was delivered!
But then something was wrong. Everyone was in a rush with the baby. It turns out the umbilical cord was tightly wrapped 4 times around her neck, 1 time around her shoulder and had 2 knots in it!
She was blue and not moving when born. They quickly cut the cord and was able to revive her. Then I heard her first cry and knew she was fine.
The doctors told me they never saw anything like it before. Never that many knots and wraps around the neck without the baby surviving!
So you can imagine it was all very emotional.
The doctors kept saying "That's one lucky baby!"
Alenka means lucky in polish! Her middle name is Milena which means miracle.
It truly is the perfect name because she is one lucky miracle baby!
She was 5 lbs and 18 inches long and born at 735 am on June 11th. A perfect baby girl!
She is doing excellent and I am relieved it all went well otherwise.
Also, my son adores her which is such a relief as well because I didn't know how he would take to her. :)
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Co-Sleeping
From the day he was born till this day, I have been co-sleeping with my son! (Gasp!) And guess what? I LOVE it! I have never had a problem with him falling off the bed or me rolling over on him. I was a bit scared in the beginning with this little newborn thinking he might get caught in the blankets or I would lay on him. Never once. It turns out he was so aware, and even in his sleep if the blanket would come up too far, he would instantly kick out and put his arms up to get them off of him. It just becomes this mutual telepathic communication between mother and child. I always wake just before he does. When I was still breastfeeding, he would be hungry and I would just roll over and feed him. He slept through the night and I can say I slept excellent even in those beginning weeks and months.
I plan on having my new little one sleep with us also. This time around I am a little worried if my son will get jealous. How will he take sharing HIS bed with HIS mamma? :)
But I can honestly say there is nothing as rewarding as waking up to seeing your little one snuggled against your breast or in the crook of you arm sleeping peacefully and feeling the most protected. They know they are safe. Mamma is right there!
I plan on having my new little one sleep with us also. This time around I am a little worried if my son will get jealous. How will he take sharing HIS bed with HIS mamma? :)
But I can honestly say there is nothing as rewarding as waking up to seeing your little one snuggled against your breast or in the crook of you arm sleeping peacefully and feeling the most protected. They know they are safe. Mamma is right there!
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Coca-Cola and Del Monte plotting to deceive you about the dangers of BPA
Oakland, Ca -- Last Thursday, chemical and food industry lobbyists called an emergency brainstorming session to devise an attack plan to stop a California legislative proposal for a virtual ban on the toxic plastics chemical Bisphenol A (BPA) in food and beverage containers for children 3 and under.
According to internal emails obtained by the Washington Post, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and Environmental Working Group, Washington representatives of Coca-Cola, Alcoa, Del Monte, Crown, the American Chemistry Council, the North American Metal Packaging Alliance, Inc. and Grocery Manufacturers Association convened behind closed doors at Washington’s exclusive Cosmos Club and committed $500,000 to an effort to “prolong the life of BPA,” an integral plastics component estimated to generate more than $6 billion in global sales annually.
The chemical, used to harden polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins used as, among other things, food can linings, is a synthetic estrogen shown in more than 100 laboratory tests to disrupt the endocrine system, disrupt brain and reproductive system development and function and cause other serious conditions such as cancer, behavior and learning problems, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity.
According to the emails, the group, calling themselves the BPA Joint Trade Association, discussed, among other things, tactics to defeat California State Senator Fran Pavley (D-23) measure that would largely eliminate BPA’s use in baby bottles, sippy cups, formula cans and baby food jars. The emails said industry lobbyists were deployed in Sacramento, “befriending people that are able to manipulate the legislative process.”
The emails show that the group also discussed California’s Proposition 65, which requires the governor’s office to publish an annual list of chemicals known to cause cancer or reproductive system damage. They agreed, the emails said, to “build up their contact base in Sacramento” to influence this process to embrace the industry’s view of “the benefits of using BPA,” rather than scientists’ and environmentalists assertions that BPA is dangerous to human health at current exposure levels and should be restricted from contact with food and beverages.
The rationale, according to the emails: the chemical and food processing industries did not “want to win at the legislative level and then not have anyone buy the product.”
On a national level, the emails say, the lobbyists “suggested using fear tactics (e.g. “Do you want to have access to baby food anymore?”).”
As well, the emails show, they considered “focusing on the impact of BPA bans on minorities (Hispanic and African American) and poor “ by insinuating that without BPA, food prices would rise.
Ironically, the emails show, lobbyists meeting in a club that admitted women only in 1988 agreed that” legislative and grassroots outreach (to young mothers ages 21-35 and students) is imperative to the stability of their industry.” “Their ‘holy grail’ spokesperson would be a ‘pregnant young mother who would be willing to speak around the country about the benefits of BPA’,” the email said.
“High paid D.C. lobbyists and P.R. professionals are plotting a cynical strategy to reach into the State House in Sacramento and kill legislation that would protect millions of California’s youngest from further exposure to this toxic, hormone-disrupting chemical,” said Renee Sharp Environmental Working Group (EWG)’s California director.
“These emails show that chemical manufacturers and food process know they can’t use science to make their case, so they’ve decided to play on people’s fears,” Sharp said. “Worst of all, they propose to target Hispanics and African Americans, who, they apparently assume, are poor and more vulnerable. There’s nothing about truth in these emails. They’re all about money -- the billions of dollars the food and chemicals industries have invested in the production and use of BPA.”
“We hope that lawmakers in Sacramento will stand with Senator Pavley and pass her important public health legislation,” Sharp said.
*The text of the meeting minutes can be found at the top right-hand side of the page to download in PDF format on original site (WORTH CHECKING OUT!!)*
According to internal emails obtained by the Washington Post, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and Environmental Working Group, Washington representatives of Coca-Cola, Alcoa, Del Monte, Crown, the American Chemistry Council, the North American Metal Packaging Alliance, Inc. and Grocery Manufacturers Association convened behind closed doors at Washington’s exclusive Cosmos Club and committed $500,000 to an effort to “prolong the life of BPA,” an integral plastics component estimated to generate more than $6 billion in global sales annually.
The chemical, used to harden polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins used as, among other things, food can linings, is a synthetic estrogen shown in more than 100 laboratory tests to disrupt the endocrine system, disrupt brain and reproductive system development and function and cause other serious conditions such as cancer, behavior and learning problems, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity.
According to the emails, the group, calling themselves the BPA Joint Trade Association, discussed, among other things, tactics to defeat California State Senator Fran Pavley (D-23) measure that would largely eliminate BPA’s use in baby bottles, sippy cups, formula cans and baby food jars. The emails said industry lobbyists were deployed in Sacramento, “befriending people that are able to manipulate the legislative process.”
The emails show that the group also discussed California’s Proposition 65, which requires the governor’s office to publish an annual list of chemicals known to cause cancer or reproductive system damage. They agreed, the emails said, to “build up their contact base in Sacramento” to influence this process to embrace the industry’s view of “the benefits of using BPA,” rather than scientists’ and environmentalists assertions that BPA is dangerous to human health at current exposure levels and should be restricted from contact with food and beverages.
The rationale, according to the emails: the chemical and food processing industries did not “want to win at the legislative level and then not have anyone buy the product.”
On a national level, the emails say, the lobbyists “suggested using fear tactics (e.g. “Do you want to have access to baby food anymore?”).”
As well, the emails show, they considered “focusing on the impact of BPA bans on minorities (Hispanic and African American) and poor “ by insinuating that without BPA, food prices would rise.
Ironically, the emails show, lobbyists meeting in a club that admitted women only in 1988 agreed that” legislative and grassroots outreach (to young mothers ages 21-35 and students) is imperative to the stability of their industry.” “Their ‘holy grail’ spokesperson would be a ‘pregnant young mother who would be willing to speak around the country about the benefits of BPA’,” the email said.
“High paid D.C. lobbyists and P.R. professionals are plotting a cynical strategy to reach into the State House in Sacramento and kill legislation that would protect millions of California’s youngest from further exposure to this toxic, hormone-disrupting chemical,” said Renee Sharp Environmental Working Group (EWG)’s California director.
“These emails show that chemical manufacturers and food process know they can’t use science to make their case, so they’ve decided to play on people’s fears,” Sharp said. “Worst of all, they propose to target Hispanics and African Americans, who, they apparently assume, are poor and more vulnerable. There’s nothing about truth in these emails. They’re all about money -- the billions of dollars the food and chemicals industries have invested in the production and use of BPA.”
“We hope that lawmakers in Sacramento will stand with Senator Pavley and pass her important public health legislation,” Sharp said.
*The text of the meeting minutes can be found at the top right-hand side of the page to download in PDF format on original site (WORTH CHECKING OUT!!)*
Friday, June 5, 2009
Non-Toxic Living
ARE YOU AND
YOUR CHILDREN SAFE?
DANGER: TOXIC TOXIC WASTE DUMP BEWARE: TOXIC FUMES!!
IS YOUR WORKPLACE, SCHOOL, OR HOME
A TOXIC CHEMICAL WASTE DUMP?
The Average American Uses about 25 Gallons
of "TOXIC" , "HAZARDOUS" Chemical Products
per year in their Home...
A Major Portion Of These Can Be Found
In Household Cleaning Products.
(Source: Prosperity Without Pollution,
by Joel S. Hirschorn and Kirsten V. Oldenburg, 1991).
Nationwide, more than 32 million pounds of household cleaning products are poured down the drain each day. Many of these products contain toxic substances that are NOT processed adequately by sewage treatment plants or septic systems. Careless or improper use and disposal of these products may threaten individual health or lead to accidental poisoning. Long term or cumulative environmental consequences may also occur like contamination of surface and ground water. ( Spring 2002 Edition of CCA Newsletter Partners :"CLEANING WITHOUT TOXIC CHEMICALS"--http://www.dhr.state.md.us/cca/pdfs/spr02b.pdf )
According to the MAY 2002 issue of the cleaning trade magazine--
"CM Cleaning & Maintenance Management magazine"--
( National Trade Publications, Latham, New York, 12110 ),
an article entitled,
"GREEN Cleaning Gets A Federal Push",
clearly states on page 51 :
"...Cleaning Chemicals Are The Most Frequent Type Of Chemicals
Involved In Poisonings
Reported To 'Poison Control Centers'
In The United States.".
"In 1999, 92% Of All Poisonings Occurred In The Home.
Cleaning Products Are Involved In 11% Of Poisoning Exposure
In Children Under 6 Years Of Age."
( Source: City of Boulder-Office of Environmental Affairs )
DID YOU KNOW ?
# THAT OF THE 17,OOO CHEMICALS THAT APPEAR IN COMMON HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS,
ONLY 30% HAVE BEEN ADEQUATELY TESTED FOR THE NEGATIVE EFFECTS ON OUR HEALTH .
# THE FEDERAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY ( E.P.A. ) HAS FOUND THAT
AIRBORNE CHEMICAL LEVELS IN HOMES WERE AS MUCH AS
SEVENTY ( 70 ) TIMES HIGHER INSIDE THAN OUTSIDE .
# THE FEDERAL FOOD & DRUG ADMINISTRATION ( F.D.A. ) CANNOT REQUIRE COMPANIES TO DO
SAFETY TESTING ON THEIR PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS BEFORE THEY ARE SOLD TO THE PUBLIC .
# MEDICAL DOCTORS AND SCIENTISTS HAVE STUDIED, ANALYZED, EVALUATED, AND CONCLUDED
THAT THERE IS A DEFINITIVE CONNECTION BETWEEN OUR HEALTH AND
THE USE OF EVERYDAY COMMON HOUSEHOLD CLEANING CHEMICALS .
Source : "Neighborhood Network's" 2002 Environmental Resource Directory for Home and Business
...AND THERE'S MORE !
( About The Hazards Of Household Cleaning Products )
# INDOOR AIR IS OFTEN TWO TO FIVE TIMES MORE CONTAMINATED THAN OUTDOOR AIR .
# CHILDHOOD ASTHMA HAS NEARLY DOUBLED IN THE LAST 20 YEARS (American Lung Assoc.)...
And Some Cleaners May Be Triggers To Asthma Attacks.
# 70,000 SYNTHENTIC CHEMICALS ARE IN PRODUCTION TODAY.
MANY ARE SUSPECTED TO CAUSE CANCER OR OTHER HEALTH EFFECTS,...
BUT ONLY 600 HAVE BEEN ADEQUATELY TESTED.
( SOURCE : City of Boulder-Office of Environmental Affairs
http://www.ci.boulder.co.us/environmentalaffairs/healthyhome )
# ENVIRONMENTAL DISCOMFORTS AND ILLNESSES are increasing at alarming rates
# 15-25% OF OUR POPULATION HAS SOME TYPE OF BREATHING PROBLEMS such as hay fever or asthma, and are adversely affected by strong odors included in perfume, aftershave, hair spray and body lotions
# 9 OUT OF 10 BREATHS are likely drawn indoors
# THERE WAS A 38% INCREASE IN PRESCRIPTIONS FOR AIRWAY MEDICATIONS from 1985 to 1990
# THERE ARE APPROX. 4,000 INDIVIDUAL FRAGRANCE COMPOUNDS – several hundred may be used in creating a single scent
# 17-22% OF PEOPLE SUFFER FROM FRAGRANCE-RELATED MIGRAINE HEADACHES
# ADVERSE REACTIONS FROM SCENTED PRODUCTS result in sick time, lost productivity, increased insurance costs and hostility from employers and employees who do not understand the health threats of fragrances. Chemically sensitive individuals cannot simply avoid fragrances...they share air in which they have no control other.
( SOURCE : www.gloriagilbere.com/Non-ToxicLiving.htm - Gloria Gilbere, N.D., D.A.Hom., Ph.D.)
Much more at their website!
http://www.cleaningpro.com/toxic.cfm
YOUR CHILDREN SAFE?
DANGER: TOXIC TOXIC WASTE DUMP BEWARE: TOXIC FUMES!!
IS YOUR WORKPLACE, SCHOOL, OR HOME
A TOXIC CHEMICAL WASTE DUMP?
The Average American Uses about 25 Gallons
of "TOXIC" , "HAZARDOUS" Chemical Products
per year in their Home...
A Major Portion Of These Can Be Found
In Household Cleaning Products.
(Source: Prosperity Without Pollution,
by Joel S. Hirschorn and Kirsten V. Oldenburg, 1991).
Nationwide, more than 32 million pounds of household cleaning products are poured down the drain each day. Many of these products contain toxic substances that are NOT processed adequately by sewage treatment plants or septic systems. Careless or improper use and disposal of these products may threaten individual health or lead to accidental poisoning. Long term or cumulative environmental consequences may also occur like contamination of surface and ground water. ( Spring 2002 Edition of CCA Newsletter Partners :"CLEANING WITHOUT TOXIC CHEMICALS"--http://www.dhr.state.md.us/cca/pdfs/spr02b.pdf )
According to the MAY 2002 issue of the cleaning trade magazine--
"CM Cleaning & Maintenance Management magazine"--
( National Trade Publications, Latham, New York, 12110 ),
an article entitled,
"GREEN Cleaning Gets A Federal Push",
clearly states on page 51 :
"...Cleaning Chemicals Are The Most Frequent Type Of Chemicals
Involved In Poisonings
Reported To 'Poison Control Centers'
In The United States.".
"In 1999, 92% Of All Poisonings Occurred In The Home.
Cleaning Products Are Involved In 11% Of Poisoning Exposure
In Children Under 6 Years Of Age."
( Source: City of Boulder-Office of Environmental Affairs )
DID YOU KNOW ?
# THAT OF THE 17,OOO CHEMICALS THAT APPEAR IN COMMON HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS,
ONLY 30% HAVE BEEN ADEQUATELY TESTED FOR THE NEGATIVE EFFECTS ON OUR HEALTH .
# THE FEDERAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY ( E.P.A. ) HAS FOUND THAT
AIRBORNE CHEMICAL LEVELS IN HOMES WERE AS MUCH AS
SEVENTY ( 70 ) TIMES HIGHER INSIDE THAN OUTSIDE .
# THE FEDERAL FOOD & DRUG ADMINISTRATION ( F.D.A. ) CANNOT REQUIRE COMPANIES TO DO
SAFETY TESTING ON THEIR PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS BEFORE THEY ARE SOLD TO THE PUBLIC .
# MEDICAL DOCTORS AND SCIENTISTS HAVE STUDIED, ANALYZED, EVALUATED, AND CONCLUDED
THAT THERE IS A DEFINITIVE CONNECTION BETWEEN OUR HEALTH AND
THE USE OF EVERYDAY COMMON HOUSEHOLD CLEANING CHEMICALS .
Source : "Neighborhood Network's" 2002 Environmental Resource Directory for Home and Business
...AND THERE'S MORE !
( About The Hazards Of Household Cleaning Products )
# INDOOR AIR IS OFTEN TWO TO FIVE TIMES MORE CONTAMINATED THAN OUTDOOR AIR .
# CHILDHOOD ASTHMA HAS NEARLY DOUBLED IN THE LAST 20 YEARS (American Lung Assoc.)...
And Some Cleaners May Be Triggers To Asthma Attacks.
# 70,000 SYNTHENTIC CHEMICALS ARE IN PRODUCTION TODAY.
MANY ARE SUSPECTED TO CAUSE CANCER OR OTHER HEALTH EFFECTS,...
BUT ONLY 600 HAVE BEEN ADEQUATELY TESTED.
( SOURCE : City of Boulder-Office of Environmental Affairs
http://www.ci.boulder.co.us/environmentalaffairs/healthyhome )
# ENVIRONMENTAL DISCOMFORTS AND ILLNESSES are increasing at alarming rates
# 15-25% OF OUR POPULATION HAS SOME TYPE OF BREATHING PROBLEMS such as hay fever or asthma, and are adversely affected by strong odors included in perfume, aftershave, hair spray and body lotions
# 9 OUT OF 10 BREATHS are likely drawn indoors
# THERE WAS A 38% INCREASE IN PRESCRIPTIONS FOR AIRWAY MEDICATIONS from 1985 to 1990
# THERE ARE APPROX. 4,000 INDIVIDUAL FRAGRANCE COMPOUNDS – several hundred may be used in creating a single scent
# 17-22% OF PEOPLE SUFFER FROM FRAGRANCE-RELATED MIGRAINE HEADACHES
# ADVERSE REACTIONS FROM SCENTED PRODUCTS result in sick time, lost productivity, increased insurance costs and hostility from employers and employees who do not understand the health threats of fragrances. Chemically sensitive individuals cannot simply avoid fragrances...they share air in which they have no control other.
( SOURCE : www.gloriagilbere.com/Non-ToxicLiving.htm - Gloria Gilbere, N.D., D.A.Hom., Ph.D.)
Much more at their website!
http://www.cleaningpro.com/toxic.cfm
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Nightly Wakings
So for the past week or two I have been waking up in the middle of the night and CANNOT fall back asleep! Sometimes I sleep 2 hours and then wake. Tonight it was 4 hours. It is so hard to get comfortable and my mind is racing with all the things that still need to get done. I have been stressing a lot with this pregnancy and am trying to take it easy, but sometimes it is hard.
The hardest part about my recent sleep loss is when my son wakes up on the morning. He is fully energized from a full nights sleep and wants to PLAY PLAY PLAY! He is so cute that I can't get annoyed at him. Luckily he still needs at least one nap a day and I HAVE to nap with him or be like a living zombie!
So it is almost 6 am and I am finally feeling tired again, so hopefully I can get in a few hours before the little one wakes up! Good night, or should I say good morning? :)
The hardest part about my recent sleep loss is when my son wakes up on the morning. He is fully energized from a full nights sleep and wants to PLAY PLAY PLAY! He is so cute that I can't get annoyed at him. Luckily he still needs at least one nap a day and I HAVE to nap with him or be like a living zombie!
So it is almost 6 am and I am finally feeling tired again, so hopefully I can get in a few hours before the little one wakes up! Good night, or should I say good morning? :)
Monday, June 1, 2009
Favorite Native American Quotes
Cherokee Prayer Blessing
May the Warm Winds of Heaven
Blow softly upon your house.
May the Great Spirit
Bless all who enter there.
May your Mocassins
Make happy tracks
in many snows,
and may the Rainbow
Always touch your shoulder.
Native American Prayer
Oh, Great Spirit
Whose voice I hear in the winds,
And whose breath gives life to all the world,
hear me, I am small and weak,
I need your strength and wisdom.
Let me walk in beauty and make my eyes ever behold
the red and purple sunset.
Make my hands respect the things you have
made and my ears sharp to hear your voice.
Make me wise so that I may understand the things
you have taught my people.
Let me learn the lessons you have
hidden in every leaf and rock.
I seek strength, not to be greater than my brother,
but to fight my greatest enemy - myself.
Make me always ready to come to you
with clean hands and straight eyes.
So when life fades, as the fading sunset,
my Spirit may come to you without shame.
(translated by Lakota Sioux Chief Yellow Lark in 1887)
published in Native American Prayers - by the Episcopal Church.
Honor the sacred.
Honor the Earth, our Mother.
Honor the Elders.
Honor all with whom we
share the Earth:-
Four-leggeds, two-leggeds,
winged ones,
Swimmers, crawlers,
plant and rock people.
Walk in balance and beauty.
Native American Elder
Lakota Instructions for Living
Friend do it this way - that is,
whatever you do in life,
do the very best you can
with both your heart and mind.
And if you do it that way,
the Power Of The Universe
will come to your assistance,
if your heart and mind are in Unity.
When one sits in the Hoop Of The People,
one must be responsible because
All of Creation is related.
And the hurt of one is the hurt of all.
And the honor of one is the honor of all.
And whatever we do effects everything in the universe.
If you do it that way - that is,
if you truly join your heart and mind
as One - whatever you ask for,
that's the Way It's Going To Be.
passed down from White Buffalo Calf Woman
Humankind has not woven the web of life.
We are but one thread within it.
Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves.
All things are bound together.
All things connect.
Chief Seattle, 1854
What is life?
It is the flash of a firefly in the night.
It is the breath of a buffalo in the wintertime.
It is the little shadow which runs across
the grass and loses itself in the sunset.
Crowfoot, Blackfoot warrior and orator 1830 - 1890
May the Warm Winds of Heaven
Blow softly upon your house.
May the Great Spirit
Bless all who enter there.
May your Mocassins
Make happy tracks
in many snows,
and may the Rainbow
Always touch your shoulder.
Native American Prayer
Oh, Great Spirit
Whose voice I hear in the winds,
And whose breath gives life to all the world,
hear me, I am small and weak,
I need your strength and wisdom.
Let me walk in beauty and make my eyes ever behold
the red and purple sunset.
Make my hands respect the things you have
made and my ears sharp to hear your voice.
Make me wise so that I may understand the things
you have taught my people.
Let me learn the lessons you have
hidden in every leaf and rock.
I seek strength, not to be greater than my brother,
but to fight my greatest enemy - myself.
Make me always ready to come to you
with clean hands and straight eyes.
So when life fades, as the fading sunset,
my Spirit may come to you without shame.
(translated by Lakota Sioux Chief Yellow Lark in 1887)
published in Native American Prayers - by the Episcopal Church.
Honor the sacred.
Honor the Earth, our Mother.
Honor the Elders.
Honor all with whom we
share the Earth:-
Four-leggeds, two-leggeds,
winged ones,
Swimmers, crawlers,
plant and rock people.
Walk in balance and beauty.
Native American Elder
Lakota Instructions for Living
Friend do it this way - that is,
whatever you do in life,
do the very best you can
with both your heart and mind.
And if you do it that way,
the Power Of The Universe
will come to your assistance,
if your heart and mind are in Unity.
When one sits in the Hoop Of The People,
one must be responsible because
All of Creation is related.
And the hurt of one is the hurt of all.
And the honor of one is the honor of all.
And whatever we do effects everything in the universe.
If you do it that way - that is,
if you truly join your heart and mind
as One - whatever you ask for,
that's the Way It's Going To Be.
passed down from White Buffalo Calf Woman
Humankind has not woven the web of life.
We are but one thread within it.
Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves.
All things are bound together.
All things connect.
Chief Seattle, 1854
What is life?
It is the flash of a firefly in the night.
It is the breath of a buffalo in the wintertime.
It is the little shadow which runs across
the grass and loses itself in the sunset.
Crowfoot, Blackfoot warrior and orator 1830 - 1890
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