that I should make the tree to bloom.
With tears running, O Great Spirit, Great Spirit, my Grandfather -
with running tears I must say now that
the tree has never bloomed.
A pitiful old man, you see me here,
and I have fallen away and have done nothing.
Here at the center of the world,
where you took me when I was young and taught me;
here, old, I stand, and the tree is withered,
Grandfather, my Grandfather!
Again, and maybe the last time on this earth,
I recall the great vision you sent me.
It may be that some little root of the sacred tree still lives.
Nourish it then, that it may leaf and bloom
and fill with singing birds.
Hear me, not for myself, but for my people; I am old.
Hear me that they may once more go back into the sacred hoop
and find the good red road, the shielding tree!
In sorrow I am sending a feeble voice,
O Six Powers of the World.
Hear me in my sorrow, for I may never call again.
O make my people live!
- Black Elk, 1930
Give Us This Day
Which art in heaven,
Hallowed be
Your holy name.
Thy Kingdom come,
Just let your will be done
On earth,
As it is in heaven.
Give us this day
Our daily bread.
Forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not
Into all temptation,
But deliver us He said,
I am Safe
Safe
I am Safe
Safe
Safe
Safe
Safe
Safe
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
I’m safe.
- Ruth Baxter, with passage adapted from Luke 11:2-4
May We Always Be Ready for the Long Journey
O, our Father the Sky, hear us
and make us strong.
O, our Mother the Earth, hear us
and give us support.
O Spirit of the East,
send us your Wisdom.
O Spirit of the South,
may we tread your path.
O Spirit of the West,
may we always be ready for the long journey.
O Spirit of the North, purify us
with your cleansing winds.
- Oglala Sioux Tribal Chant
Be With Us and Hear Us
Fire of the Spirit
Life of the lives of creatures
Spiral of sanctity
Bond of all natures
Glow of charity
Lights of clarity
Taste of sweetness to the fallen
Be with us and hear us.
- Hildegarde of Bingen, 1169 AD
“Just as despair can come to one only from other human beings, hope, too, can be given to one only by other human beings.”
—Elie Wiesel
“The greatest glory in living lies not in never failing, but in rising every time we fail.”
—Nelson Mandela
“In times of great stress or adversity, it’s always best to keep busy, to plow your energy into something positive.”
—Lee Iacocca
“It is only in our darkest hours that we may discover the true strength of the brilliant light within ourselves that can never, ever, be dimmed.”
—Doe Zantamata
The Buddha’s Guide to Gratitude
Give thanks
For what has been given to you,
However little.
Be pure, never falter.
- Buddha
There Is Enough for Everybody
May all be fed.
May all be healed.
May all be loved.
- John Robbins, 2002
Kind Regards
Forgive us every face we cannot look upon with joy.
- Frederick Buechner
God’s Shield to Protect Me
I arise today through a mighty strength,
the invocation of the Trinity, through belief in the Threeness,
through confession of the Oneness of the Creator of creation.
I arise today through the strength of Christ with his Baptism,
through the strength of His Crucifixion with His Burial,
through the strength of His Resurrection with His Ascension,
through the strength of His descent for the Judgment of Doom.
I arise today through the strength of the love of Cherubim
in obedience of Angels, in the service of the Archangels,
in hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
in prayers of Patriarchs, in predictions of Prophets,
in preachings of Apostles, in faiths of Confessors,
in innocence of Holy Virgins, in deeds of righteous men.
I arise today through the strength of Heaven; light of Sun, brilliance of Moon, splendor of Fire,
speed of Lightning, swiftness of Wind, depth of Sea,
stability of Earth, firmness of Rock.
I arise today through God’s strength to pilot me,
God’s might to uphold me,
God’s wisdom to guide me,
God’s eye to look before me,
God’s