THE BLIND WOMAN
No one could remember when The blind woman had lost her sight. Some said that she had always been blind, other said that they remembered her as a child, and that she was able to see then. Whatever the reason, she was now blind and had been so for many moons.
The interesting thing about this woman was that she didnt know she was blind, so she went about her daily life as if she could see.
The Blind Woman was petite, with dark, thick long hair that she pulled back away from her face and tied with a piece of rawhide. She dressed fashionably, with the help of her daughters. It was important to her to look good for others.
Those close to her shielded her from the truth of her situation, and went about removing obstacles in her way so that she could move about freely.
She was extremely capable and talented as a cook, fire keeper, and parent to her children. The children never mentioned her blindness to her, but her husband often did. She had anger in her heart for him, though, and didnt listen to him.
She was blind to the fact that she tried to control the world she lived in; tried to control her childrens behavior; tried to control the anger and resentment she felt toward her husband, and that she blamed everyone around her when things went wrong, or when the food burned on the campfire.
Years went by, and people began to avoid The Blind Woman except for her staunchest friends who were brave enough to bear her wrath. She took to drinking the golden liquid alcohol given to them by traders passing through the area. This served many purposes. It helped her to calm the pain she was feeling inside, but couldnt express, and it effectively kept people from approaching her while she was at the grinding rock or washing clothes at the river.
As it happened, The Blind Woman stumbled on the rocks, one day coming back from the grinding rock and spilled all the grain she had worked so hard to mill. She fell to her knees in despair, and at that moment, some light came through her eyes. She was stunned by the event and ran to tell everyone. Soon enough, though, her sight left her again and she went back to her old ways.
For many moons this behavior continued, and she lived a life of quiet desperation knowing that it was possible to see, but not understanding why the light came and went.
One day, the brave, and father of her children, came to her with a heavy heart for he had been told by a Medicine Man that he was being eaten inside by a devil spirit that could not be slain.
The whole village cried with rage and anger upon hearing this, and wept for the sadness that had settled on this family. The tribe went about quietly putting food by their tent, speaking to them about the wisdom of the Great Spirit, and in many ways, made their sorrow more bearable.
It was not a quick death, although herbs from the Medicine Man helped to ease the pain so that the brave was comfortable, yet alert.
It was during this time that The Blind Woman took to spending time alone with her brave husband, recounting the life that they had led together. He spent considerable time explaining to her what she needed to do after he was gone. The brave knew in his heart that it would take the whole village to help his family after he left.
During this last year of his life, the miracle began. The Medicine Man said that truth, and honesty touched The Blind Womans heart, and opened her eyes. Because of the truth being spoken, without fear, between the two of them, The Blind Woman began to see, slowly at first, but continually moved toward regaining her sight.
There was no need after a time for her to use any mind-altering substance because truth and honesty had opened her eyes to the danger around that, too.
The village supported her and her family after the brave passed on to the Happy Hunting Grounds, and they continue to do that to this day.
The path is sometimes rough, and she is prone to stumbling, but she continues to do her best to stay on the path of recovery as best she can.
She practices the Principle of Honesty by being truthful and genuine with everyone she comes in contact with. She also is honest with herself, which is most important.
The village prays for her safety and long life, and continued willingness to live in the light of the Spirit.
REFLECTION: In what ways am I blind to the truth about myself? What attitudes am I not willing to look at that keep me from growing in the Spirit?
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