Milkman's Circle for Recovery

(16 Steps of Empowerment)

1. We affirm we have the power to take charge of our lives and
stop being dependent on substances or other people for our
self-esteem and security.

2. We come to believe the Great Spirit awakens the healing wisdom
within us when we open ourselves to that power.

3. We make a decision to become our authentic selves and trust in
the healing power of the truth.

4. We examine our beliefs, addictions, and dependent behavior in
the context of living in a hierarchal, patriarchal culture.

5. We share with another person and the universe all those things
inside of us for which we feel shame and guilt.

6. We affirm and enjoy our strengths, talents, and creativity,
striving not to hide these qualities to protect others' egos.

7. We become willing to let go of shame, guilt, and any behavior
that keeps us from loving ourselves and others.

8. We make a list of people we have harmed and people who have
harmed us and take steps to clear out negative energy by making
amends and sharing our grievances in a respectful way.

9. We express love and gratitude to others, and increasingly
appreciate the wonder of life and the blessings we do have.

10. We continue to trust our reality and daily affirm that we see
what we see, we know what we know, and we feel what we feel.

11. We promptly acknowledge our mistakes and make amends
when appropriate, but we do not say we are sorry for things we have
not done, and we do not cover up, analyze, or take responsibility for
the shortcomings of others.

12. We seek out situations, jobs, and people that affirm our
intelligence, perceptions, and self-worth to avoid situations or people
who are hurtful, harmful, or demeaning to us.

13. We take steps to heal our physical bodies, organize our lives,
reduce stress, and have fun.

14. We seek to find our inward calling and develop the will and
wisdom to follow it.

15. We accept the ups and downs of life as natural events that can
be used as lessons for our growth.

16. We grow an awareness that we are inter-related with all living
things and we contribute to restoring peace and balance on Mother
Earth.

Native American Serenity Prayer

Oh Great Spirit, whose voice I hear in the winds

and whose breath gives life to all the world

Hear me

I come before you, one of your children

I am small and weak,

I need your strength and wisdom

Let me walk in beauty and

make my eyes ever behold the red and purple sunset.

Make my hands respect the things you have made

my ears sharp to hear your voice

Make me wise, so that I may know

the things you have taught my People

the lesson you have hidden in every leaf and rock

I seek strength, not to be superior to my brothers

but to be able to fight my greatest enemy, myself

Make me ever ready to come to you

with clean hands and straight eyes,

so when life fades as a fading sunset

My Spirit may come to you without shame.

                   ~ Mitakuye Oyasin

A Sioux Prayer

Translated by Chief Yellow Lark -1887

Oh, Great Spirit, whose voice I hear in the winds
Whose breath gives life to the world, hear me
I come to you as one of your many children
I am small and weak
I need your strength and wisdom

May I walk in beauty
Make my eyes ever behold the red and purple sunset.
Make my hands respect the things you have made
And my ears sharp to your voice.
Make me wise so that I may know the things you have taught your children.

The lessons you have written in every leaf and rock
Make me strong--------!
Not to be superior to my brothers, but to fight my greatest enemy....myself

Make me ever ready to come to you with straight eyes,
So that when life fades as the fading sunset,
May my spirit come to you without shame.

Ojibway Traditional Blessing and Healing Chant

Just as the soft rains fill the streams,
pour into the rivers and join together in the oceans,
so may the power of every moment of your goodness
flow forth to awaken and heal all beings,
Those here now, those gone before, those yet to come.
By the power of every moment of your goodness
May your heart's wishes be soon fulfilled
as completely shining as the bright full moon,
as magically as by a wish-fulfilling gem.

By the power of every moment of your goodness
May all dangers be averted and all disease be gone.
May no obstacle come across your way.
May you enjoy fulfillment and long life.

For all in whose heart dwells respect,
who follow the wisdom and compassion, of the Way,
May your life prosper in the four blessings
of old age, beauty, happiness and strength

Gentle Wishes for You

May the warm winds of Heaven

Blow softly upon your house

May the Great Spirit

Bless all those who enter there

May your moccasins

Make happy tracks

In many snows

And may the rainbow

Always touch your shoulder

Indian Prayer

For all the world one prayer

That we might live as one

May peace and love

Be in each heart

And each life be filled with sun.

Together We Are Strong

When life becomes a challenge, and each day becomes a chore

Remember I am here for you, Like eagles we shall soar.

An uphill battle every day, sometimes is how it seems

Our hopes are often shattered, out of reach our simple dreams

Just watch an eagle as he flies, straight and strong into the wind

So take my hand, hold on to me, We'll do the same my friend.

The current shall not beat us, for together we are strong,

Like eagles coasting on the wind, this battle won't take long.

Charlotte Anselmo

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

                                                  Chief Tecumseh

Pawnee Prayer

Oh, Eagle; come with wings outspread in sunny skies. Oh, Eagle, come and bring us peace, thy gentle peace.

Oh, Eagle, come and give new life to us who pray. Remember the circle of the sky; the stars, and the brown eagle, the great life of the Sun, the young within the nest. Remember the sacredness of things.

The End

RED ROAD ~ A Return To The Circle

(16 Steps of Empowerment)

Native American Serenity Prayer

A Sioux Prayer