PAY ATTENTION . . . AND REAP THE BOUNTY

IF YOU’RE WILLING TO LEARN, NATURE IS WILLING TO TEACH YOU.

- DANA BENNER

When I was a child, I never thought I’d be doing what I do or living the lifestyle that I live. Little did I know that from early on, I was being groomed for this life.

The road has been long and often rough. Thankfully, I had some really good teachers along the way, with perhaps the very best teacher—and maybe also the cruelest—being the environment itself. Mother Nature can be a very demanding taskmaster.

Early on, I drew upon the lessons learned by my Native American ancestors, trying to absorb as much as I could. I made it a point to listen to the oral stories and read those that had been written down, hoping to glean what bits of information I could use.

Thankfully, my mother was a healer, and she was able to teach me about many healing plants. I asked a lot of questions—almost to the point of being a pest. I was quick to learn that if I’d just shut my mouth and watch and listen, I’d be better off. The lessons would come to me as they were needed.

A Native elder once told me, “Nobody knows everything, but everyone knows something.” As I’ve grown older, I’ve found this to be true. I don’t know everything, and I’m still constantly learning..