Intertribal Life Newspaper -

Once upon a time, there was a young Neechee who thought he knew it all. He would boast about his good grades in school and how he made the honor roll many times for his great achievements. Then Creator saw his ways and took pity on him.

Because of his bigheadedness, Creator brought devastation to his life to teach him about Humilty. But this young Neechee continued his conceited ways and thought he was better than everyone. Little respect he paid to the elders and he cast shame onto the poor.

He'd dare to test his wits with those who challenged him. Many tried and many failed. So Creator saw this and said, "This fellow needs to be taught a lesson." So he took his riches away from him and caused diseases to strike the young Neechee's body. It didn't work.

So Creator went deeper and took his loved ones away from him. That got his attention but still the young Neechee was resistant. He thought Creator was challenging him.

Then one day, when everyone went hunting, the young Neechee became deathly ill from his disease. Seeing his wit failed to doctor himself up, he pleaded with Creator to aid him. This is what Creator said to him. "Seeing that you became a 'know-it-all,' you became blinded to those who needed your understanding. You became ignorant to the meek and disrespectful to the elders. You must know by now that because of this, disease became your own ugliness and the losses you experienced were from your disrespect to those who are greater in experience than you."

"Knowledge is not greater than understanding but is equal to it when used properly. When you know of something, you need to understand it for it to be used to its maximized potential. Just like with people, when someone knows he is feeling scared, he or she must understand it, so he or she can muster courage to face these fears.

So you see, when people understand, they become wiser to use Courage to face their fears. That is the way to Heal."

en.wikimedia.orgArboretum

When someone is struggling and suffering, this person needs understanding for themself or from another to be treated. Then they can heal. There's nothing more healing than a father's embrace as shown in this famous painting of the Prodigal Son.

Seeing and hearing this, made the young Neechee change his ways. He became a great spiritual elder because he took the time to understand all his knowledge and when he was able to do this, he took it to his people. He got to know them and when he knew of their struggles, he understood them so he was able to treat them, each to their own accord.

So the motto of this tale is that knowledge and understanding go hand in hand when it comes to Healing. When someone is struggling and suffering, this person needs self-understanding, or understanding from another person, to be treated. Then they can heal.

Although this tale is imaginary, I learned the lesson of Knowledge and Understanding in my own life. I feel it's getting me unstuck in my suffering and struggle. I lived a harsh life but I just want someone to understand because I felt so misunderstood. This is the way I am and I'm grateful I am learning new ways of healing.

My recovery is my Discovery. Hoka Hey!