Act Without Fear

Among the people, in the Council. Fear arises when the heart feels small and insignificant, When the path ahead seems endless, When the obstacles to the next step seem formidable And impossible to overcome. The Wise Elder sees the path clearly, As a flowing river of small ripples and stones. He knows that all obstacles are of lesser consequence than his heart, That they can each be overcome by unceasing small actions. There is nothing of greater power than the strong heart. This is why the Wise Elder acts without fear all his days.

(Excerpted from Quiet Heart by Sleeping Crow, a collection of Native spiritual teachings based upon life with a small, Pacific Northwest Native American nation.)