Life-altering inspiration, when it comes into my life, it fills my heart before making its way into my mind.
My true friends inspire me. Without their support, their respect, the work I do would not have a chance of taking wing, to soar in the sunlight.
Tears inspire me. The tears of the oppressed, tears of people wanting to break free of destructive addictions, tears of people standing at the coffin of a beloved family member. Tears of those individuals who suffer depression, day after day, year after year, their tears inspire my poetry, brought forth from a caring heart.
When I was a younger man, I had the good fortune of meeting old people I embraced as my teachers and spiritual guides. ‘Elders’ – those fearless ones who took me on eagle wings to places deep in the forest for the purpose of ceremony after sobriety began for me, their touch of my spirit inspired me greatly. “Never back down,” was their advice, “never give up.” They taught me to be sensible in the activist causes I invest time, energy and resources into. I learned from these elders, the sacred connection between the human heart and all life in the forests of our homelands.
Because of their teachings, I regard the forest as a place of inspiration. I go there and sit in the presence of all that is pure. The forest will never fail you when you go into it for the purpose of healing yourself.
I believe that trees are my chiefs, my elders, the keepers of a sacred wisdom. They are the ones I trust in the most to guide my spiritual path. It is disheartening for me to know that few in this world recognize the forest as a place where great healing can occur.
“Who is your greatest teacher?” asked an ‘elder’ when I worked for Corrections. “The trees of the forest are who I have learned from the most,” was my reply. The answer I gave seemed to annoy the elder. In a raised voice he asked, “Haven’t you learned anything from human beings?” – “Indeed,” I replied, “what I learned the most from people, was how not to be.” Human beings are creatures of many faults and shortcomings, let us never forget it.
I have been inspired to change my life for the better at those places where water flows swiftly, near where the falls on a river are found. I go there to ponder the wrongs of my past and to heal. Water, it is such a tremendous inspiration for all who recognize it as a keeper of sacred medicines. I talk to water each and every day. I acknowledge it and praise it for all it does for us, for the land. ‘Water is life’ – I truly believe it is and I respect it because it is so.
The young of our nation inspire me as well. I see in the glow of their spirits, the motivation I need to push myself further and deeper into the activism I feel will be of benefit to them in the seasons to come. Teddy Bellingham, age 16, murdered in Smiths Falls in 1991 inspired me back then and continues to do so today. The teens who ended their own lives on Reserves across this country since Confederation began, inspire me. They motivate me, I will not allow them to have died in vain.
I look into the eyes of my great-grandchild, I listen to the drumming of her heart, when I do this, I make a promise. For her I will make a stand in defence of water. For her I will defend human rights, not just for her but for all human beings of this world. I will do all I can today so that she and her children, her grandchildren, will have a chance to live a long, beautiful life. My first great-grandchild, Carter, passed away only 7 weeks after being born. Carter inspires me like no other of my bloodline to do what’s right, to do what needs to be done to bring joy and peace to our world. I draw inspiration from the love my daughters and grandchildren have for me. ‘Love’, family love, not even the most fierce of storms can remove it from the human heart.
Inspiration, it is all around us. It isn’t hard to find. It’s not a mystery.
Keep the Circle Strong,
South Wind (Albert Dumont)
Migwich, Albert, for once again connecting us to our teacher trees, deep wisdom, and humility.