As long as supplies last if any GMG folks want a bumper sticker but can't drop down the dock, just send a self addressed and stamped envelope longer then 7 and a half inches and I'll drop one in the mail for you.
Send the self addressed and stamped envelope to the dock at 95 East Main St Gloucester Ma 01930 care of Joey (put my name in big letters to make sure it gets to me)
As long as supplies last if any GMG folks want a bumper sticker but can't drop down the dock, just send a self addressed and stamped envelope longer then 7 and a half inches and I'll drop one in the mail for you.
Send the self addressed and stamped envelope to the dock at 95 East Main St Gloucester Ma 01930 care of Joey (put my name in big letters to make sure it gets to me)
Good Morning Gloucester 
Love your posts Pat
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That is very nice to hear! Thank you Donna!
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Pat,
Great post but I think my friend DJ Vanas hit’s on this also I like his cut on becoming (elder) but this is also where on the path of life we find our mentors, wisdom keepers and spirit keepers (I know I did). I posted before by why not again! 🙂 I enjoy the reflection here thanks for sharing it…:-) Dave & Kim 🙂
“Sourced: DJ Vanas-DJ Vanas Old vs. Young: The Battle That Shouldn’t Be
February 14, 2013
“Elders are created by their choices, values, actions and contribution to others.” Olders are created by the hands of time. Elders in our Native communities have dedicated themselves to collecting wisdom, knowledge and experience in order to benefit the village they serve. They are quick to provide encouragement, guidance, love, home cooking and support to those who need it. They also teach the traditions and history that makes us who we are. They have chosen a path to constantly improve, not just for their sake, but so that they may be more effective in strengthening their people. Getting older is automatic – but becoming an elder is a path we choose to follow and is done with purpose, on purpose.”
DJ Vanas Old vs. Young: The Battle That Shouldn’t Be
February 14, 2013
by D.J. Vanas
After travelling Indian Country for many years in my work, I’ve been chagrined, and at times heartbroken, over the wasted opportunities for the generations to combine forces to create success in communities and tribal organizations. Through a lack of understanding, bad past experiences, different communication styles, pre-judgement or an unwillingness to accept ideas from others because of pride or ego, we have limited our own success in Indian Country by allowing a deep disconnect between generational knowledge. At times I’ve seen not only a generational disconnect, but sometimes open hostility, at tribal council meetings, conferences or community events. A reconnection can be made if we realize that there is power across the generations to offer great ideas and solutions to the challenges we face. Everyone has a contribution to make – that’s tradition 101.
We must acknowledge that there is a difference between becoming an elder and just getting older. I may get grief for saying that, but I know it will be from the ones who think being older automatically makes one an elder. Elders are created by their choices, values, actions and contribution to others. Olders are created by the hands of time. Elders in our Native communities have dedicated themselves to collecting wisdom, knowledge and experience in order to benefit the village they serve. They are quick to provide encouragement, guidance, love, home cooking and support to those who need it. They also teach the traditions and history that makes us who we are. They have chosen a path to constantly improve, not just for their sake, but so that they may be more effective in strengthening their people. Getting older is automatic – but becoming an elder is a path we choose to follow and is done with purpose, on purpose.
There is also a difference between being a warrior and simply being young and brash. Being at full volume and willing to fight is not what makes a warrior – it’s the dedication to fight with honor for something positive that is bigger than us. Our upcoming warriors in our Native communities have dedicated themselves to get education, learn business skills, technology and understanding how the changing world works in order to benefit the village they serve. They are quick to provide insight, new tools, fresh ways of thinking, a helping hand and motivation to those who need it. They also learn the traditions and history that make us who we are. They have chosen a path to constantly improve, not just for their sake, but so that they may be more effective in strengthening their people. We are all young for a time – but becoming a warrior is a path we choose to follow and is done with purpose, on purpose.
That being said, here is a humble plea to both the older and younger generations to keep the peace on the road ahead:
To older folks: please don’t use your age and position to control, condemn, lecture, bully or minimize the younger generations. Regardless of your years on this earth, your experience, wisdom and understanding of how life and the world works, please don’t use these strengths to marginalize others.
To younger folks: please don’t use your age and position to control, condemn, lecture, bully or minimize the older generations. Regardless of your youth, your prestigious education, passion to change the world, know-how of new tools and technologies, please don’t use these strengths to marginalize others.
Shoving our “good ideas” down other people’s throats, or brow-beating them into submission, not only violates a respectful exchange but also creates animosity for those doing it. The key to open, healthy communication is for us to be willing to consider knowledge and ideas from others with respect and openness – and to offer our own ideas with grace and humility.
The whole point of reconnecting the generations is to open the flow of good ideas that can ultimately serve communities and tribal organizations. The best ideas I’ve ever gotten to improve my life and business or learn about our Native culture or how to live it today – have come from both older and younger generations. One of the best ideas ever shared with me was from an elder in Minnesota who said “Our spirits are like sponges. They soak up whatever surrounds them.” He was 86 years old. Another powerful idea came from my daughter who, after struggling to complete a difficult puzzle and then getting the solution, had this to say: “I knew I could do it, but I ignored myself.” I’ve never forgotten the lesson of understanding we have so much inside that we ignore or take for granted. She was 4 at the time.
Let this year be the one where we let past behaviors go and dedicate ourselves to a new way forward, reconnecting the generational exchange of ideas that has always fostered growth, unity and success throughout our tribal histories – and can do so today, as powerfully as ever.
“D.J. Vanas (Odawa) is a motivational storyteller, leadership expert and the author of the celebrated book The Tiny Warrior, which is printed in six countries. For two decades he’s served groups such as IBM, Walt Disney, NASA and Subaru — and hundreds of First Nations communities, governments and schools.
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Love the reflection! And I don’t see any age issues!
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