It's 7am and we're in Lower Brule getting ready to go to breakfast. In various states of getting up, getting ready, and meditating Silas, Pancho, Jesse, Sarah and myself are at the beginning of the journey. Last night the riders were assembled here in Lower Brule at The Golden Buffalo Casino convention center. Thanks to everyone in the community here for providing the convention space, the food for the riders and supporters. There were very moving speeches last night including that of spiritual leader Jim Miller who's dream the riders will be following starting this morning. After last night's dinner, there was a sweat lodge, and then back to the hotel for a quick sleep. To say our crew is excited is an understatement. I was thinking last night how amazing it was to hear from Jim especially last night. He has this amazing natural leadership quality that has been developed over a lifetime and I'm also sure was naturally always there. He said something that really struck me. He said he'd never done this before, and he was going to need everyone's help. There will be times during the ride that he'll need to make speeches in communities, at colleges and it will be time for others to take a leadership role. He demanded it and expected it. It was really inspiring to hear someone ask for help in that clear a way and express his own fears at the same time. That is definitely one of the things that I took away from all of the amazing speeches last night, Jerry, Mark, Harvey and others, (sorry if I'm forgetting names) as well as the sweat lodge experience. That was my first sweat since last summer and jumping in from the cold weather to the heat was quite a shock. At first the sensations are quite uncomfortable and the fear of not being able to breathe is immediately present. I knew it was coming so it was much easier to be with that fear and I did what I needed to do to be with my breath, lower my head and sit with my fear while participating in this very important ritual. The feeling after the sweat is an amazing one. Prayers are offered during the ritual and not only the physical sensation of moving from the heat to the cold but the experience of moving from a spiritual ceremony back into "life" is amazing. I'm enjoying how I take things with me now. I'm bringing more of myself wherever I go. From breakfast to sweat lodge, from the spiritual to the neutral, more of me shows up each time. I think previously I was compartmentalizing situations, and trust me I still do this but I definitely am seeing progress. Alright enough of me, back to the ride. The roads are icy so thoughts and prayers are going out to the riders for a safe journey. I enjoyed the children last night, just running around, having fun at the dinner. There was a common theme of this ride and the documenting of the rituals on film is for the youth, to continue traditions within the Native American community and promote healing not only within their own community but across communities and cultural lines as well. My horse "bucking off" was shown last night and got quite a laugh. I'm happy to provide some humor:)...Jesse sang beautifully again last night and I do believe the journey has begun. Special thoughts,prayers and love to the riders, supporters and tarheir families and to everyone reading this blog for a great day. In the words of the Dakota/Lakota language Anpetu which means "today is a red day" (a holy day, sacred day
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