What if earning, buying and materialism were less important, playing a subcentral role in life, and our economy were about more reciprocity and gifting?

That’s exactly what these two books “Braiding Sweetgrass, Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants” by Robin Wall Kimmerer through Penguin Books propose. Curious that the book was gifted to me by my sister, and you know that Kimmerer’s other book “The Serviceberry, an Economy of Gifts and Abundance” is one of my next reads.

The audio version is especially fitting; the voice is calming. Readers gain learning, grounding and can enter peace and tranquility. I highly recommend this read. The concepts taught offer the kind of earthy depth that we crave and need. It gives potential alternatives in lessons, hope, wisdom, answers, teachings; these serve as an antidote, a soothing balm for the shallowness of having to constantly go out and buy something.

While reading the book, I found it curious that there have been many gifts in my own life surrounding my time on the res, and having been fascinated by Native American teachings and lore. The gifting was already happening long before I read the book. Some of the other precious gifts from that time frame have been bead and bag work, books, art, carvings, smudge herbs and indigenous, heirloom corn.

Great read. I think you’ll like it. The fabulous Native American humor, which is like a refreshing breeze and a warm ray of sunshine at just the right moment is apparent is soulfully woven throughout the stories.

In the mean time, keep those gifts flowing; be willing to slow down while considering something different, (great for your mental health), experience healing and accept some of the answers that come. The concepts are just what our big brains crave and need. This would be an example of a good craving, where you crave it because you need it. Today this needed depth is not found in the hectic pace, and we don’t realize what true earthy nourishment is like until it is experienced. Indigenous knowledge sweetly and consistently reminds one that it is here, the deep well of pure water.

I know that the goodness of diversity and nature’s ecology, will keep it thriving, and just where it needs to be at that very moment.

“Can I get an amen mon?!” -Jamaican reverend

PS Last week from a relative, I also received a SouthWest Indian Foundation catalog as a gift in the mail. Not only very cool art, jewelry etc., but the support of hand made, quality over quantity, people over profits, and buying local and from indigenous peoples will continue here.

-O