When CEU's Are Joyful

Today's venture into my continuing education class was absolutely everything and then some that I hoped it would be.

I've been looking forward to taking a face-to-face class from this instructor, and there was a time today when I felt the tears well up in my eyes because I was so thrilled at simply the *thought* that came to me; whether it's what I think is not important - what is important is that I realized the potential, and felt the deep surge of gratitude I was able to take the class.

You see, I've felt an incredible kinship for many years with the Native Americans, particularly the Lakota Sioux. Some years ago I was attending a pow-wow and was involved in a very intense conversation with one of their Elders. The man wrote his name on a little scrap of paper; it impressed me far more because I felt by his not having a business card randomly handed out, it was, perhaps more valid than some who would simply want to rip off the white gringo.

I never followed up on it. Eventually the slip of paper was misplaced, but I've never forgotten about it. I still have followed that path as part of my faith. I came to the conclusion that if I was meant to have a Native teacher, it would happen when the time was right.

Maybe the time is right right now. I don't know. I do know, though, that when I signed up with this instructor, I had no idea of any of her background.

At some point in the lecture today, she commented about the picture she had up on the overhead. The picture was of her spouse's feet. She was explaining some of the intricacies and oddities of his foot. In this case, his Great toe and third toe have pushed his second toe up above.

She explained to us in meridian therapy what it was all about...too long an explanation for repeating. Then she said that in Native medicine each toe had a specific element - Great toe, Ethereal; 2nd, Air; 3rd, Fire; 4th, Water; 5th, Earth.

Then she dropped the next bit of information. She's a full-blooded Choctaw. Not only that, she's a Shaman, and not from reading a book. She's a Shaman because she trained with another Shaman and was accepted into whatever way the tradition dictates.

And, that's where my tears began to grow. Is she the Teacher I've been looking for? I've felt a kinship with her for a couple of years, not knowing. Of course I have to wonder!

I've got more to talk about, but I do want to go over the materials tonight before tomorrow's classes. Our hands on work was very powerful and this is the first time in weeks I have not been in some sort of pain.

But, first, I have to run into town and fuel up the Jeep, then continue with laundry. I'm going to crash in CR tomorrow night. I need to get reading out of the way for my PA next week, and I need some quiet study time, so Himself will have to take care of Himself for a change. Gotta pull clothes together, etc.

I will do my best to tell more next time. But for now, I hope you are having a wonderful weekend!

Kate