Sihasin is one of my favorite words in Diné bizaad. It means “reflection” as in the act of reflecting. Innately as Diné, we are instructed to make space for this necessary action. As a life-long journaler, I love being in this state innately. There is so much I learn about myself, the projects I amContinue reading “Sihasin in the Time of the Little Winds”
Tag Archives: american indian cultures
Grace, Guts & Power
Growing up as the oldest grandchild and daughter in my family, I was keenly fond of praise. I relished in moments when my parents and grandparents would give me a compliment. I loved their feedback, whether it was about a speech I had written or how I did in the school play, I reveled inContinue reading “Grace, Guts & Power”
Tsiiyéeł Powered Compliments
In an effort to live my teachings out, to speak sacredness fluently this Tsiiyéeł Tuesday I have learned a new phrase in Diné Bizaad (Navajo language). It is a phrase I hope people can use the compliment the beautiful image of a Diné person who has made their tsiiyéeł, a traditional Navajo bun. “NítsiiyéełContinue reading “Tsiiyéeł Powered Compliments”
My Antidote: Light
Positivity and “shine love” mantras have always been my way to cope, encourage and motivate myself to keep striving for excellence in my life. The thing about being a sparkly, light-filled lovetarian is, people sometimes mistakenly think you have never felt the darkness. The truth about the light I carry, is it not only lightsContinue reading “My Antidote: Light”
The Power of Presence – A Lesson Discovered as I Made My Bed
During a late night drive across my homeland, I jokingly told a close friend how I often feel the “most Navajo” in the mornings when I am making my bed. Instead of laughing as I expected he would, he shared how it made sense. Noting how even this modern act of starting the day couldContinue reading “The Power of Presence – A Lesson Discovered as I Made My Bed”
In the Desert a Mountain Rises
When I am looking for strength, I picture my strongholds, the places where I have found respite, calm and clarity. Each place I visualize, often in the middle of an anxious bout, are places grounded by mountains. From Black Mesa, the Lukachukai Mountains to the San Francisco Peaks, the Sandias in New Mexico and PiestewaContinue reading “In the Desert a Mountain Rises”
Earthen Powers
The leaves are changing. From the high country in Mescalero Apacheland to the gorgeous towering crests of the Sandias in New Mexico to the belt of aspens around the San Francisco Peaks the colors of Aa’kęę (fall) are washing over the mountain ranges in the southwest. In the past month, we marked the autumnal equinox,Continue reading “Earthen Powers”
Moonlight Respite
My house is quiet in this hour. Nothing moves but my heart, ceiling fan, and the occasional sighs of my dog. The stillness is my soul’s reminder to be reverent. There is a lunar eclipse occurring on this spring morning, one of the shortest of the year. We are taught as Diné (Navajo) people toContinue reading “Moonlight Respite”
Shíkeyáh as Medicine
Sunday morning I said goodbye to my family after a delicious breakfast prepared by my mom. We ate and laughed as a late winter snow fell outside. My heart swells at all the scenes we took in together and remember the prayers we said for each other and ourselves before I left. I know IContinue reading “Shíkeyáh as Medicine”
Yá’at’eeh T’ąątsoh: Season Awakening
On my list favorite things are: magic, surprises, unicorns and seasons changing. I recognize how child like this love list is but I am continuously taken over by how much magic you can find when the seasons change. It is incredible how complex our environments are and how they have adapted to changes in environments.Continue reading “Yá’at’eeh T’ąątsoh: Season Awakening”
Grownup Navajo 