by Dr. George Blue Spruce
This column is a place where members can help each other foster the resilience that has sustained Indigenous people. In this issue, we present the second of a two-part message from Dr. George Blue Spruce.
Let us not forget that blue spruce seeds fall from great heights, while wind and rainwater carry them far and wide. Some seeds come to rest upon rocks and debris, while others land on fertile soil and are given the support they need to thrive. Their roots can reach deep and wide, which aids in growing tall and strong.
Make every day meaningful and full of purpose. Continue to try to solve problems that block your progress, realizing that a failure is just one way that doesn’t work. Learn to anticipate and accept that problems are a normal part of life, and that disappointment, anger, grief, pain, trauma, and even depression can reach out at you like the freezing, icy winds and snows of winter to tear you down.
Use my name, as I have, as a talisman to remind you to look inside yourself and harness your inner strength to rebound from any setback.
Use my name, as I have, as a talisman to remind you to look inside yourself and harness your inner strength to rebound from any setback, like a job loss, an illness, a disaster, or even the loss of a loved one. And never resort to substance abuse, eating disorders, or risky behaviors because you feel victimized. In short, don’t fall apart.
The game of tennis was a tremendous stress reliever for me during my school years and throughout my career and often helped me refocus on challenges I was facing. Athletics, in general, also can teach us how to be gracious even when we lose the game or don’t play our best.
Build strong, positive relationships with loved ones and friends who will be there for you, in good times and bad. They are a part of that fertile soil that your Blue Spruce seed fell upon. They will, as they did for me, help you thrive through all the seasons of your life, just ask me: Dr. Blue Spruce.
Main Photo by istock; portrait courtesy of Dr. Blue Spruce