The Old Ways -IV-

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.

The True Peace.

The first peace, which is the most important, is that which comes within the souls of people when they realize their relationship, their oneness, with the universe and all its powers, and when they realize that at the center of the universe dwells Wakan-Taka (the Great Spirit), and that this center is really everywhere, it is within each of us.

This is the real peace, and the others are but reflections of this.

The second peace is that which is made between two individuals, and the third is that which is made between two nations.

But above all you should understand that there can never be peace between nations until there is known that true peace, which, as I have often said, is within the souls of men.”


– Black Elk, Oglala Sioux and Spiritual Leader (1863 – 1950)

11 Comments

  1. This spoke to me deeply, Charlie. Thanks & Peace.

  2. Pen(n)sive – I don't know where I'm going, but then that's life I suppose, for if you knew, you'd be very afraid. As we tarry in this life we have hope in the future, not knowing makes that possible. So I suppose, I'm a pensive optimist?
    pennsivity says:

    Beautiful, to read, absorb and enjoy, …truth and sincerity in every word, .the souls of men need to discover harmony, as one with nature, not the discord echoing loudly, through the link destroyed,…✨🙏✨

  3. Hey, Charlie ~ I so did!… I checked out all the restaurants until I found the perfect one (it was, too) and actually sat inside at a real table and scarfed down on nice warm meatloaf and MASHED POTATOES!!! My body’s so HAPPY!!! THANK YOU!! I blessed you GREATLY!!!! 🙏🙏🙏🙏

    1. You deserve it my friend. Thank you for writing and for your soulful commitment to your craft….. Keep. Going. 👊🏼

      1. Soon as I can make it happen. If I can make it happen. Mashed potato power!! 👍

      2. Oh, hell yeah. Good gravy, too. There are a few things in this world worse than bad gravy ~ but the list is short!

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