Native Americans and Awesomeness

The two go hand in hand together. I don't know what triggered it, but I have a few ideas of what might have sparked my sudden interest in Native Americans. They aren't exactly all that interesting right now, but a long time ago, when they were the only people in the Americas, they were fascinating.

Back to how I became interested.

About 4 years ago, probably around 17 years old, I was in West Virginia visiting my grandparents. They live right on top of a mountain basically, and have many neighbors who live atop the mountain as well. The whole experience is nothing like anything I'd have expected it to be. Four wheeling through mountain trails, waving to everybody (if you don't wave in West Virginia, people think you have problems). But there is something about it, even if it is like going back in time 100 years, its peaceful, and has something that a lot of places have lost throughout the years.

Again, back to how I became interested.

While in WV, my grandmom introducted me to a book called Chesapeake by James A. Michener. The book is about the Chesapeake Bay area (a bay in Maryland) and its history. Now that would seem extremely boring, however this book focuses on fictional but historically accurate passages from the different time periods of the area. It starts off with a Native American, and ends with different Voyages. I'm not certain of the ending or latter chapters, because I was simply in awe of the first chapter. I've always known about Native Americans ever so slightly, and their style of life was always just slightly interesting. But the first chapter really put things into perspective for me. Just to picture myself being part of some random tribe that lives off of the river, and surrounding resources of survival. A whole society that thrives off of this, and knows no other distraction from the real purposes of life. I want to be that Indian guy, that scouts the land for days, then reports back to the chief with new knowledge of rival tribes battle formations. Or the guy that gets kicked out of his tribe for sleeping with the Chiefs wife. Forced to find another tribe, spending time alone lying in a canoe facing upwards towards the stars while pondering existence itself without the sound of car horns, trains, and tractor trailers cruising down distant highways. Sure you can do that now if you find some place secluded enough. But is it not true that upon doing that enough, you end up having a lurking feeling in the back of your mind telling you that you are wasting time, or that you are losing the race to success. I know for me, right now that is unavoidable. To be immersed in thought, is to be losing the rat race. I don't want to be a rat. I want to be a Native American. Free from the expectations and judgment of others in doing so.

So when I say I want to be a Native American, I suppose I don't mean it so literally. To me it represents something bigger than just running around smoking my tobacco pipe and hunting wild deer. And having a really cool name like River Snake. Alright, so its about the name too. But the idea is, there are certain chains and ropes that we all have attached to our own being that restrains us from our full potential. In order to be truelly happy, those chains have to be broken. You might lose your balance, and its possible that you could fall over all together without the chains. But at least you'll have the chance to learn how to walk on your own. I've managed to break off a few of mine, and I'm sure one day, I'll be walking with my own legs, in the direction I choose.