Monday, June 14, 2010

Earth Teach Me


Good morning.  Another Monday...dreary, gray...much like I have been feeling inside.  Just can't put my finger on it.  What's bothering me?  The only answer that comes is burnout.  It's really time to take a vacation...even if only a few days.  You'd never believe I have 138 hours of vacation coming to me. It's just such a bother...you have to practically beg people to cover your groups...but I really shouldn't let that stop me.

Last night I was reading one of my little Native American books, and it struck me just how similar the Native Americans beliefs are to those of the Celts. It's no wonder I always feel drawn to them. To the Celts, everything was interconnected; everything on the Earth was alive and should be treated with respect. Cherokee beliefs are much the same; they focus on the necessity of harmony in balance in life by emphasizing the following:
  • Everything is alive
  • Everything has a purpose
  • All things are connected
  • We can embrace the Medicine of all living things as we re all walking together in the Circle
That is something that we have forgotten.  All life is connected, and when we destroy one form of life, we are actually destroying a part of ourselves.  I'd like to leave you all this morning with this wonderful little prayer that I am sure many of you already know.

Earth teach me quiet,
as the grasses are still with new light.
Earth teach me suffering,
as old stones suffer with memory.
Earth teach me humility,
as blossoms are humble with beginning.
Earth teach me caring,
 as mothers nurture their young.
Earth teach me limitation,
as the ant that crawls on the ground.
Earth teach me freedom,
as the eagle that soars in the sky.
Earth teach me acceptance,
as the leaves that die each fall.
Earth teach me renewal,
as the seed that rises in the spring.
Earth teach me to forget myself,
as melted snow forgets its life.
Earth teach me to remember kindness,
as dry fields weep with rain.
 
--A Prayer from the Ute--
 
May we all remember kindness today...kindness to our fellow man, to the Earth and all of Her creatures...and to our Great Mother...the ocean.  



11 comments:

  1. I know that in most health care or therapeutic workplaces, you have to give a fair bit of advance notice before taking holidays so that the employer can ensure that too many people aren't gone at the same time. But isn't it your employer's responsibility to rearrange personnel to cover the holidaying person's duties? Go on a holiday, my dear -- the longest holiday possible! Take that time!

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  2. What a beautiful way to start a week Mary,and for heck sake, take your vacation!!!!

    Hang in there

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  3. Good thoughts...now practice them...take your vacation...let your supervisor find people to take your place...

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  4. ~yes, you need some time off...for yourself...nourish your spirit...rest and relax dear little lady! these words are such a beautiful way to our new week...thank you so for always sharing your wisdom with us...l♥ve...warm wishes and brightest blessings~

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  5. As always a beautiful post Mary. Take that vacation you so deserve and really need. It isn't your job to do schedules, that's what your boss gets paid to do. Put in for your vacation and take it. You have to take care of yourself or you will not be able to help others. Wishing you a brighter week!

    (((HUGS)))

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  6. Beautiful entry...

    Please, don't wait for total-burn out, to get away.

    Please...

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  7. Take a vacation! I promise you, you will return a new woman!

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  8. What a lovely prayer - I hadn't read that one.

    You are always covering for others Mary - it's time that some of them covered your groups for you. Take some time off. Give yourself some kindness.

    Big hug to you!

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  9. Beautiful! I too resonate with the Celts, Native American teachings and now am exploring the aborigines (reading a book on the dreamtime and rainbow serpent).

    Love the old ways. And everything moves in circles.

    Enjoy your vacation (I know you'll get there). Hugs

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  10. Hope you listen to your heart and to your friends. Just go. You must seize the day! XO (love the poem)

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  11. The prayer is really relevant now, with the terrible devastation in the gulf.
    Sometimes we have to put ourselves first in order to reguvenate our body and spirit. Like Nike-Just Do It-Mary. X.

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