Eloheh

“In the Cherokee language, this concept of well-being is often called Eloheh (pronounced ay-luh-HAY). The Cherokee meaning of well-being is deep and resonant, and it is hard to capture in English. Eloheh means “well-being,” yes, but it means so much more. Eloheh—what some traditions call the Harmony Way—describes a state of being when all is as it should be or as it was created to be. Eloheh means that people are at peace, not at war; that the Earth is being cared for and producing in abundance, so no one goes hungry. Eloheh means people are treating each other fairly and that no one is a stranger for very long.” -Randy and Edith Woodley, introduction to Journey to Eloheh: How Indigenous Values Lead Us to Harmony and Well-Being

In honor of Indigenous Peoples Day, below is an incredible poem from Chief Tecumseh entitled “So Live Your Life.” (H/T to the always excellent Poetic Outlaws for providing.) It contains all the guidance we need to live in Eloheh with one another…

So live your life that the fear of death 
can never enter your heart. Trouble 
no one about their religion; respect 
others in their view, and demand 
that they respect yours. 

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. 

Prepare a noble death song for the day 
when you go over the great divide.

Always give a word or a sign of salute 
when meeting or passing a friend, even 
a stranger, when in a lonely place. 

Show respect to all people 
and grovel to none.

When you arise in the morning 
give thanks for the food and for 
the joy of living. 

If you see no reason for giving thanks, 
the fault lies only in yourself. Abuse 
no one and no thing, for abuse turns 
the wise ones to fools and robs 
the spirit of its vision.

When it comes your time to die, 
be not like those whose hearts 
are filled with the fear of death, 
so that when their time comes 
they weep and pray for a little 
more time to live their lives 
over again in a 
different way. 

Sing your death song and die 
like a hero going home.