Community, An Indigenous Perspective

This reflection is a further glimpse into Steven Charleston’s book, Ladder to the Light, An Indigenous Elder’s Meditations on Hope and Courage. Of the 8 rungs of his ladder, the first 3 address the individual, but the fourth rung is about Community. I selected his first “meditation” of this chapter, “Now Belongs to Love,” to quote here:

“NOW BELONGS TO LOVE. We will not deny the dark clouds, nor will we fear them, for struggle is nothing new, because no hope is born without it. Why should we be afraid of the dark when we carry the banner of light? Why should we bow our heads when we can see the horizon? Come, let us stand together, let us walk together, sweeping away the shadows with our song. We draw a thousand more to join us as we reclaim the land of life and restore the home of health. This is the day to rejoice, though our task is far from done, for now belongs to love, and today is when tomorrow begins.”

I’m filled will inspiration from his pages.