Like a hero going home

[eldritchhobbit]

Birthday cheers for elwe. May you have a wonderful day and many, many more.

I also wish all of you a happy 2006!

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, I keep returning to a favorite quote. So here it is. I have quoted it before in the past, but I think it's worth repeating. It represents my hopes for the new year, and my very 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

Comments

[gilda-elise.livejournal.com]

This is beautiful. Thanks for posting it; it is most certainly worth repeating.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad you liked it! Happy 2006.

[st-crispins.livejournal.com]

Certainly words to life by. Thanks.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

You bet! Happy 2006.

Tecumseh

[carpdeus.livejournal.com]

Tecumseh! Nakemu dawe umfahwah! Tecumseh!

So begins the gripping outdoor drama of the Indian who almost drove the white man from the Northwestern Territory. He had a younger brother, Tenskwatawa, who claimed to have died and been given a doctrine of revelation that the white man was evil incarnate. Three years later, Tecumseh transformed this huge religious revival into a political movement, banding the tribes together so that they could be organized and fight the intruders, both militarily and politically.

All of which shows in his words above. Tecumseh was a man ahead of his time. He did not want to rule the indians, simply unite them in a common cause, a cause that fell with his death. Given a choice of fighting or peace, he would choose peace, but he was not given that choice. <smiles sadly> And he could not say, "I shall fight no more forever."

What fools we mortals be.

Re: Tecumseh

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Wonderful comments, and special thanks for the link. What fools we mortals be, indeed.

[agentxpndble.livejournal.com]

That's awesome. Thank you.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad you liked it, too. :) Happy 2006.

[llembas.livejournal.com]

Lovely quote, thanks for sharing. :)

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

You're most welcome! I'm glad you liked it. Happy 2006.

[fungus-files.livejournal.com]

When I first saw that quote, it made me all teary. It's done it again, even though I knew what was coming.

I think I tend to turn to marshmallow around New Year's Day, remembering those who are no longer with us, etc. The TV news was doing that retrospective thing about celebs who had passed during 2005 and when they flashed up Don Adams I was gone. *hugs you sloppily* Happy NY, A. :)

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

think I tend to turn to marshmallow around New Year's Day, remembering those who are no longer with us, etc. The TV news was doing that retrospective thing about celebs who had passed during 2005 and when they flashed up Don Adams I was gone.

Augh! **hugs you sloppily back** I know exactly what you mean.

Sending best wishes to you for 2006!

[fenice-fu.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the quote. :)

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

You're most welcome! :) Happy 2006.

[estellye.livejournal.com]

Inspiring! Happy New Year, (((EH)))

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Happy new year to you, too, my friend! (((Estellye)))

[theladyrose.livejournal.com]

What a beautiful message. Thanks for sharing.

And I'm currently working on the song mix-I've been meaning to get around to a Patrick McGoohan spy playlist for some time; thanks for giving me an excuse! :D

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

What a beautiful message. Thanks for sharing.

You're most welcome! I'm so glad you liked it. I find it extremely touching (and challenging).

And I'm currently working on the song mix-I've been meaning to get around to a Patrick McGoohan spy playlist for some time; thanks for giving me an excuse! :D

YAY! You are so kind - thanks a million. I can't wait to see - and hear! - what you come up with. Thank you! :)