“A good heart and a good mind - those are what you need to be a chief.”
The combination of heart and mind is very powerful. The Medicine Wheel teaches that two worlds exist—the seen and the unseen. The seen world is the physical, and the unseen is the spiritual world. Both worlds are necessary to discover true reality. The seen world is easiest seen by the male side, and the unseen is easiest seen by the female side. The heart represents the unseen, and the mind represents the seen. Blessed is the leader or person who has developed both heart and mind; truly, such a person is of tremendous value to the Creator and the people.
In the Fellowship, we understand the value of service and generosity as paths to spiritual awakening and well-being. “When we allow another person to step up and help us, we give them a chance to express their own love and generosity.” This principle is deeply woven into the fabric of our lives. Inviting generosity is not just about receiving help; it’s about creating an environment in which others can manifest their spirituality through acts of giving.
Railroading newcomers into service is an age-old tradition in the Fellowship. We do it with love, remembering our own reluctance to volunteer, and with gratitude for the early service opportunities that shaped us. Those who suggested we make coffee, set out literature, or greet people at the door were showing us a way to connect the seen world—the tangible acts of service—with the unseen world—the spiritual fulfillment that comes from helping others.
Years later, we become the ones nominating newcomers for those lifesaving commitments. By then, we recognize that some of the benefits we derive from service come from practicing love and generosity. Service often gives us our first sustained exposure to the good feelings that come with giving of ourselves. As we support other members, meetings, and service bodies, and rope others into doing the same, our generosity is evident in our contributions.
Longtime members assure us that this is no accident. Generously serving each other and the Fellowship develops our capacity; we grow as human beings, and the Fellowship grows as a community. We open doors for others to practice generosity; in turn, they reach out to bring others along. An interlinked series of relationships define the history of almost every Fellowship community. We are the direct beneficiaries of our predecessors’ vision and generosity.
And yet, the names of those still with us might not come to mind when we need to recruit panelists, hosts, or facilitators. We may assume that our most seasoned members are above such tasks or that they’d volunteer if they were interested. One member had this to say: “I’ve grown old in the Fellowship—which beats the alternative—but I’m not as plugged into what’s happening beyond my home group and sponsees. My phone doesn’t ring like it used to. But I’ll tell you this: Being asked to help never gets old. I still have more to give.”
By combining the wisdom of Native teachings and Fellowship principles, we realize that integrating the heart and the mind, the seen and the unseen, leads to a fuller and more enriched life. Whether it’s through leadership, service, or simply inviting generosity, both traditions show us the way to a profound and meaningful existence.
I will practice generosity by inviting another member—new, old, or in between—to help me or to serve the Fellowship.