Solstice stories with WSD Kookum

Mamahtawisiwin—The wonder we are born with.

Who am I?

Where do I come from?

Why am I here?

Where am I going?

During the winter solstice, we recognize the days are shorter and the nights longer. It’s during this time we slow down in life and reflect on our purposes and responsibilities as humans. It’s a time for stories to be shared with one another. It’s through these stories that we learn to understand our purpose on Mother Earth. We are born with the four aspects of life: Spiritual, Emotional, Physical and Mental. The four aspects of life are used to create our wholeness. Our teachings and stories help with the path we are walking on, while we are in this physical world.

WSD Kookum Marsha Missyabit (front middle) shares solstice stories alongside her family during a Gratitude Ceremony.
Our teachings share the beauty of humans coming from a spiritual world. We also understand we come to the physical world with natural gifts. The natural gifts we are born with give us purpose and hope to live a good life. Mino bimaadiziwin. If we are surrounded by love, respect and kindness, our natural gifts provide us with opportunities to be helpful. We are put on Mother Earth to walk in a good way and live a good life. When we find ways to be helpful, we develop our inner strength and feed our spirit. Our natural gifts and instinct to be helpful give us purpose in life.

When we have a purpose in the physical world, we know we are needed. It is that sense of belonging on Mother Earth that develops and flourishes as we grow. While we are growing, we also understand that each of our aspects in life need to be nourished and cared for. This creates balance. The balance allows us to recognize the importance and value of our true self. When we appreciate ourselves, we achieve the greatness of a good heart. When our heart and mind connect, our emotions present themselves. 

It is through our emotions, that we are able to relate a deeper understanding of life and purpose. When we come to that deeper connection of understanding our relationship with Mother Earth, we are able to build a relationship and connection with a higher power. Gichi Manidou. It is within that higher power that we acknowledge our role and responsibility while we walk on Mother Earth. When we make time to sit and reflect during the winter months, we are able to feed our spirit and continue our journey on the path of life. The path of life is not always easy and, if we truly understand our purpose, we are able to find our gifts, use our gifts to help others, build a relationship with Gichi Manidou and walk together in a good way!

With respect and gratitude,

Kookum Marsha