Like a Hero Going Home

[eldritchhobbit]

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

Comments

[maidoforange.livejournal.com]

(((EH))). What beautiful words and advice for living. Happy New Year!

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

(((MoO))). Thanks so much - best wishes to you for a wonderful 2005! :)

[thrihyrne.livejournal.com]

What wonderful sentiments. Thank you so much for posting them. Makes me wish I were more than 1/32 Cherokee, really; I wish I were more indigenous, and far less displaced.

((((((hugs beyond belief))))))

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

(((hugs back))) I think I would say that we all are displaced, hence the genius of Tolkien's quote about human nature being "still soaked with the sense of 'exile.'"

Here's hoping 2005 is the anti-YOS for you, m'dear! Today is the first day of the rest of your life, as they say! (((hugs)))

[fungus-files.livejournal.com]

Thanks v much for posting that, A. Inspiring and worthy words with which to view the unwinding trail of 2005. Hope you are well recovered from the dreaded lurgy?

On a completely trivial note (I do these so well) - Australia will finally finally be getting to watch the new battlestar galactica series this year. I'm psyching myself to be not-to-freaky about change... ;)

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much, ff! I'm much better, really - I still have that nagging cough that lasts long after sickness is gone, but I'm using that as an excuse for more hot chocolate! :) (Hey, it works for me.)

I will resolve to be not-freaky with you about the changes to BG. I believe they're showing the miniseries once more in two weeks, and then we get the series, too. I figure that even in the worst-case scenario, watching will be worth it, for the Richard Hatch guest appearance(s) if nothing else. :) But who knows? It may be great. I'll be anxious to hear what you think! Here's to 2005 with the rag-tag remnants of humanity! ::wink::

[helveticat.livejournal.com]

*copy-pastes that list*

:-D

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

:-D Hugs to you, m'dear, and very best wishes for the new year!

[estellye.livejournal.com]

A wonderful quote for the new year. May there come a time when nobody needs to resolve to behave in that way, we simply do it! (((EldtritchHobbit)))

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Well said indeed - I second that hope! (((Estellye))) Happy 2005!

[randomalia.livejournal.com]

Another brilliant quote. I'm saving that one, thank you :)

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Thank *you*! :) Happy 2005!

[serpentcoils.livejournal.com]

beautiful quote! glad to have you back - happy new year. :)

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Thanks! :) It's good to be back! Happy 2005 to you, too!

[(Anonymous)]

Good words to live by - I prefer advice to resolutions as a start to the year!
Thanks for your New Year's greeting - best wishes to you also! I enjoy your journal too :)
Kraken

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much, Kraken! :) Happy 2005!

Hello

[faramirgirl.livejournal.com]

(((eldritchobbit))) that was so beautiful and so well said. Thank you so much for sharing them with us, and they are wonderful words for all to live by.

Re: Hello

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Thank you for your kind words! And happy 2005! (((FG)))