Our neighbor, Steve, offered to trim our arborvitae shrub in exchange for collecting the branches. Steve is deeply connected to Native American culture here in Minnesota, where arborvitae is called “flat cedar” and burned in sweat lodges. Our dried branches would go to serve lodges further north.

When Steve arrived at our backyard, I was struck by his fully present and respectful approach—as if tree trimming was sacred work. When he finished, he asked if it would be OK to sing a Lakota gratitude song. And he did, heartily!

Take a listen to the two Lakota youth who sing a Lakota song of thanks in their way (2 minutes):

The care our neighbor put into trimming branches mirrors the respect these young men have for keeping Lakota culture alive through music. All three of them create harmony and bring awareness by honoring Native culture, ancestors, and all life.

What inspires your respect? What do you take great care in doing, even if it’s a small task?

Choosing to be more harmonious as we go about our day impacts others. Think of the small act of letting another car merge in front of you, or picking up trash where you walk your dog. Your choice creates a ripple effect, without you knowing where this courtesy lands next as others pass it along.

When we do this, we’re singing our own gratitude song, in our own way. We’re recognizing and acknowledging the gift of this person, this plant, this culture, this moment.

We’re demonstrating an appreciation for life.

That is living as music.

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If you want to hear what our neighbor sounded like, this is close.

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