One day my Grandfather said that he wanted to tell me a story. He said that I would need to help him. Naturally, I was happy as I always loved his stories. So he took me by the hand and said we would need to walk down to the creek where there were a lot of stones. When we got there he had me just stand there and look around. He said that we would need five stones for this story and to look around and find four stones that were about the same size and one that was a little larger. He said I should be able to carry them easily. Since I was small, the stones would be small. He said to choose the stones carefully as they would be part of the story.

So I looked and looked and after awhile I saw a stone that was standing out from all the rest and I knew that was one of the stones for the story. Soon, the rest of the stones made themselves known that they were to be a part of the story.... one by one.

My Grandfather carried the stones wrapped up in his shirt, and we walked to where there was a small break in the woods. He then put the stones on the ground.

He had me stand and look around. He asked me to imagine that I could see a small circle and to stand in the middle of it. Soon I imagined I could see a small circle and stood in the center.

He said: “NOW YOU ARE STANDING IN THE CENTER OF YOUR CIRCLE, LOOKING OUT INTO THE FOUR DIRECTIONS!"

"You are the connection between the sky father and the earth mother. You are part of the Great Mother on earth! You are very important. You are the only you there is. Where you stand is important! Take this biggest stone and place it where you are standing. This will be a reminder of this!"

So I placed the largest stone where I was standing. He had me look around the circle again, and then had me place the next four stones in each of the four directions.

The Four Directions:

The first stone is placed in the east because this is where the day begins. We greet the morning sun. The first stone is GRATITUDE.

We are thankful for our life, for the day, for everything, big and small. This is a really big lesson. In the modern life, how often do we stop and are grateful?

We like to moan and complain about every little thing that we think is not exactly to our liking, but yet, how can the Universe/ Great Mother give us anything if we are not grateful for what we have already?

The second stone is placed in the south. It is the place of the mid day sun. The second stone is about our PATH.

Have we found our PATH in life? Have we done visioning to find it? Once we have found it, are we following it? What are we doing to forward our path?

The Third stone is placed in the west. This is the place of the late afternoon. This is a place of INTROSPECTION....Looking within.

Are we spending alone time to reflect? Are we doing dream and journey work? Are we meditating? Are we spending time listening for that “still small voice” that guides us? Are we listening? (And following it?)

The fourth stone is placed in the north. This is the place of the Earth Mother. This is the place of ACTION and Perseverance.

Are you in right action? Are you following your path? Are you "sticking to it"? Or are you giving in to doubt and outside pressure? Staying true to your path and taking right action along it are very important in your life.

Over the years when I would visit my Grandfather, he would take me to the place where the stones were laid out and had me explain to him what each of the stones were symbolizing. It wasn’t until just recently that I figured out that he put it in a story form so I would think it was fun and remember it. He also had me explain it to him over and over during the years to be sure I remembered it. Now I think he had me place the stones as a kinetic way to help me remember.

It was only today that I remembered that some years ago I did a simple art piece that said:

"I AM IN THE CENTER OF MY CIRCLE LOOKING OUT INTO THE FOUR DIRECTIONS!"

The teaching (story) lives on!! 

 Center of the Circle by LFIRE
 

NEW for 2015! Snake Dream and Art! http://curezone.com/blogs/fm.asp?i=2269029

More Stories from my childhood with Grandfather:

 NEW!    Blueberry Time  http://curezone.com/blogs/fm.asp?i=1944751

Making Maple Syrup http://curezone.com/blogs/fm.asp?i=1815117

"Spring Song"  http://curezone.com/blogs/fm.asp?i=1779014  

Squirrels: http://curezone.com/blogs/fm.asp?i=1766705

Winter: http://curezone.com/blogs/fm.asp?i=1752146

The Give Away http://curezone.com/blogs/fm.asp?i=1707146

Ordinary Day http://curezone.com/blogs/fm.asp?i=1661612  Grandfather teaches me about being grateful for each day and the "ordinary" things of life.

Grandfather and the Breezes http://curezone.com/blogs/fm.asp?i=1625807

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