Like a Hero Going Home

I wish everyone a happy new year.

In thinking about the promise and challenge of facing a new year, and all of the resolutions that seem to come with the change of the calendar, a quote has been on my mind. So here it is. With it rests my hopes for 2005, and my best wishes for my friends, family, and world.



So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart.

Trouble no one about their religion;
respect others in their view, and demand that they respect yours.

Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life.

Seek to make your life long and its purpose in the service of your people.

Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide.

Always give a word or a sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend,
even a stranger, when in a lonely place.

Show respect to all people and grovel to none.

When you arise in the morning give thanks for the food
and for the joy of living;
if you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies only in yourself.

Abuse no one and no thing,
for abuse turns the wise ones to fools and robs the spirit of its vision.

When it comes your time to die,
be not like those whose hearts are filled with the fear of death,
so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time
to live their lives over again in a different way;
sing your death song and die like a hero going home.

-Chief Tecumseh (1768-1813), Shawnee Nation