Angelina Nasso & Marisol Villanueva: Heart of Hope

A dear elder once said to us that we have two options in life
We can choose either love or fear
What will humankind choose in this time?

A time when everything as we know it is threatened
A time in which everything presents itself anew
This is the moment
A moment when the coupling of an old system loses its grip
A moment when humanity is shown a new answer

Love

The kind of love that can set the Earth on fire
The kind of love that gave birth to the fireball of the cosmos
Sent from the spark of creation
Inflammating the heart of every heart
Love that is our birthright

Our lifeline is failing
There is a break caused by abuse
But no matter what we do, the sun always rises
So the divine light continues to shine
continues to inspire and guide our tired souls into love

Infallible

Love is constant, abundant, fruitful, determined and sustainable
Love that comes from the galaxies, the sun, the moon and the stars
Love that flows to the Earth and touches the water
Love that is the breath of air and the spirit of fire
Love that fills all creatures with life
Love that is the answer to our basic longing
Love that can hug all fear

How could we get so far from this love?
Is it love that really connects us?
Is it love that enlightens, nourishes and brings life forward?
Is it love that makes our hope and belief grow?

Under every stone
At the top of every mountain
In the vastness of the desert
In the depths of the sea
And this Sacred Presence exists in all hearts

Incorruptible

What happened to humankind
The brain is forced on the heart
Lost in the shadow of ourselves
Could fear disease
be greater than the disease itself

When we think that love has left us
If we don't know who, what or where we are
Reluctantly, the limited self,

Nature will transform itself

Shhh ...

Grandmother, old and alive, sings the song of hope
It points to the heart
Like a flower in a bleak field
Grandmother says with all love:
O beloved Earth!
To abuse, to destroy, to pollute, to exploit
Grandmother says:
That's not how our mother is treated!
That's not how you treat each other!

Together with our Great Mother,
know grandmothers how to deal with suffering
You know how to cry with suffering
This motherly love is invincible
This motherly love recognizes itself in itself

Are we required to have suffering in one hand?
and love in others?
Bring both hands together in a prayer

Pray

Say your prayers
Believe in your prayers
Follow your prayers
Live your prayers
Say your prayers
Grandmother says:

As soon as you start praying
Can't you stop!
Can't you give up?

— Angelina Nasso and Marisol Villanueva

From the International Council of Thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers