I was driving home from Topeka, and listening to the Horrorpops albumn Bring it On!, and it came to the forefront of my mind an old conversation on the radio. They were discussing different meds, and alcohol and their abuses, but then one person pointed out how if everything was eliminated people would be spinning around in circles in their front yards just because people don't want to deal with or have to be in the life they have.
My brother's group and accompaning crew have a no drugs and no alcohol rule. Because of the history of abuse and escapism throughout tribal history and the fact that it's abuse was forced upon them by the European Americans.
I was talking with Jimmy the other day and we were discussing both sides of the issue. Myself having control and it being a part of my family's culture and surroundings, him talking of how he had abused it in the past and knew that once he started it was a bad idea, thus, he had completely given it up.
So still I think, people haven't been taught by their family about dealing with things, therefore many turn to these things just as the radio said. However, if people were taught just how to deal with situations in their life, these industries would all but cease to be.
Another conversation along these lines came to mind, one with 'Los. On the way to Iowa, we were discussing the differences between Natives, European Cultures, and Other Cultures, and their respective religions. I pointed out that all faiths no matter what denomination if strictly followed have stringent rules and require great dedication, but native cultures definately take everything to another level. We have ceremonies and prayers for even taking the life of a plant for consumption. Their are cleansing ceremonies for hunting, both before and after. However, we were trying to come up with ceremonies that Judao-Christian or Abrahamic faiths have. We both other than church on a certain day came up with Weddings and Funerals... which is quite sad. Muslim faith is much more stringent if followed, a certain number of prayers per day and many other things, thus of all the Abrahamic faiths, the Muslim religion, is the one I respect the most. However, in my mind the difference between right and wrong a lot of times is the same as the difference between hard and easy, respectfully. If something is harder than another choice, it many times is the better choice. Thus when we took a harder look at Christianity we determined it to be the easiest choice of any religion, as all it takes is to accept Jesus as your savior, and that is all. Everything else requires more, Judaism, your body must leave as it entered without markings, which is one of many reasons the Nazi's tattooed numbers on prisoners. Muslims even more. but Buddist it is a lifelong journey, as with most Eastern faiths, and then Natives have so many ceremonies and requirements for how to live.
So back to Maturity, It is realizing when you have control over something and when you don't, and then when that something can control you beyond what it should, leaving it behind. Not escaping from your reality, but taking an active role in making your world the way you want it to be, or learning the medium in between that can be beneficial for all involved.
