Gifts of Wisdom from Helen Exley: The Song of Life - Native American Wisdom

by Helen Exley

The Song of Life is a thoughtful collection of peaceful words about people, the earth and the love of nature. The quotations are matched with photography and artwork which helps to remind us of what a truly magnificent world we live in.

Genres: Spirituality

144 pages, Hardcover

First published December 16, 2010

Reviews

[Kate Baxter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a delightful compilation of quotes of wise native Americans and those nuggets passed down through their rich oral history. Each quote is paired with a lovely historic photograph or image evoking the depth and meaning of the passage. This small but richly packed compendium of native American wisdom would make a lovely gift.

I am grateful to publisher Conari Press and Goodreads First Reads for having provided a free copy of this book. Their generosity, however, did not influence this review - the words of which are mine alone.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book from Good Reads.

Wonderful, uplifting book. A great gift to bring positive thoughts to a friend in this troubled world. Nice to pick it up, read a quote and have a better day.

[Carmen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful book, I will re read this one over and over again!

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whenever life takes a negative turn or when life is joyous, I turn to poetry and essays as a form of mediation and deep thought. This Native American poetry book with poems chosen by Helen Exley and accompanied nature and archived photographs by Richard Exley is a book to treasure. Well-documented sources highlight the words of Native American leaders past and present. I don’t know how I missed this book, created in 2010, but I am so glad that I found it now. Each page brings words of wisdom: from the words of Chief Dan George (1899-1981, Coast Salish)...”The beauty of the trees, the softness of the air, the fragrance of the grass, speaks to me.” “The strength of the fire, the trail of the sun, and the life that never goes away, they speak to me. And my heart soars.” Since the volume is hand size and small enough to carry with you everywhere, it could be read daily. Highly recommended for readers, ages 5+.

[PAULINA · Rating 5 out of 5]

You don't have to live richly to live happily,
You don't have to be educated to be wise,
You don't have to write sublimely to write beautifully.

This little book performs great wonders, fills with harmony, peace, calmness, gentleness. It shapes character and proper attitudes, teaches in its simplicity how important is ethics and respect for the world around us: people and nature. When we give we also receive and good always returns.

Let's live in harmony with everything that surrounds us and we will find the key to happiness and inner peace.

[Margie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely collection of thoughts, prayers, etc from Native Americans about the natural world and our place in it. The words themselves are peaceful and humble.

[Lin S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved all the words of wisdom wrapped up in this one little book. It is not due back, for another week or so, so I may revisit it one more time before it is due.

[Vicki Scullion · Rating 4 out of 5]

Uplifting and joyful to read

[Kell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful! Will keep this forever for our son with Native American roots. Keepsake!

[A moment · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worth reading again

[Julie Carroll · Rating 5 out of 5]

So inspirational!