I love experiences that fill me with a sense of hope and possibility. One such experience is sitting outside in the mountains of my beloved Yakama homeland. I’ll share with you a few of the blessings who surround me: Breathing in the fresh, crisp forest air, the kind of clean air that lifts your spiritsContinue reading “Morning Blessings, Hope, and Possibility”
Tag Archives: More than Human Relations
How do you want to feel in April, May, and June?
I am honored to speak with students at Pacific Lutheran University later today about my book Yakama Rising. Thoughtful students sent questions in advance and one question asks about “negative” emotions. I love this question! In our beautiful Yakama storytelling traditions, we learn about the importance of the full range of our emotions. Even one of our mostContinue reading “How do you want to feel in April, May, and June? “
Thoughtful Gifts
Over winter break, I thought a lot about gifts. This holiday season, like always, I was given an abundance of thoughtful, generous gifts by many, many loved ones. In between gatherings, visiting, and gift exchanges, I also took several hikes in the mountains of my beloved Yakama homeland. I love winter hiking–the thoughtfulness I putContinue reading “Thoughtful Gifts”
Early Morning Light
It’s daybreak on my Yakama homeland. Aan (Sun) is preparing for another day of work, perhaps like me drinking a morning cup of coffee. Aan touches the eastern horizon with light and I feel lucky to witness the artistic transformation of the sky–from a cool blue to warm yellow, and now bits of orangish-pink. IContinue reading “Early Morning Light”
What the World Needs
What the world needs is love–powerful, fierce, quiet, flowing, generous, abundant love. Love you can swim in. Like Nch’i Wána (Columbia River). She gathers up gifts and returns them one hundred fold. She nourishes us. She and her tributary sisters have carved the landscape we know best. She sustains us. What the world needs isContinue reading “What the World Needs”
What We Want for You
Where do strength and creativity come from? Where do vast stores of energy arise from? Where do quick smiles and joyous laughter originate? For me, these gifts come from my strong and unwavering sense of home. They come from a loving and unbreakable connection with all lands and waters that feed and are fed byContinue reading “What We Want for You”
Beautiful Reflection
Sometimes when I look outside it feels like I am gazing into a mirror. The greyscale landscape, frost clinging to every surface, the muted tones of sky blanket above us–they seem to reflect exactly how I feel. Freezing fog is a companion and messenger, reminding us: slow down, think carefully, move with intention. At firstContinue reading “Beautiful Reflection”
Beautiful Time of Preparation
I’ve been too busy lately. I can feel this in my shoulders and neck. I’m craving a slower pace–more spaciousness and sweet, easy fun. Space in my calendar. Space to breathe on my journey of life. I know this feeling. I know it’s time to pause from the busyness of life and do one thing.Continue reading “Beautiful Time of Preparation”
Returning to Ourselves
I’ve been asked to write about my greatest hope for Indigenous education research. Of course, we do research to understand the past, to have a more meaningful present, and to work toward a more loving, just future. At least that is my understanding of the purpose of research. Sometimes research is done with good intentionsContinue reading “Returning to Ourselves”
Morning Lessons and Star Blessings
This morning while I heated water for my coffee I had the good sense to turn off the light and look outside. Ahhh…morning sky on a cold, clear autumn day. Without going outside I know the air is crisp, like the yellowy-gold leaves crunching under my feet yesterday. That recent golden memory contrasts with theContinue reading “Morning Lessons and Star Blessings”
Michelle M. Jacob 