“No Source matter what situation you’re in, find something good about it.”
Life often throws unexpected challenges our way. Sometimes, these moments feel insurmountable. However, the human spirit possesses an incredible capacity for resilience. This specific quote carries profound weight because of its origin. It is not merely a catchy slogan. Instead, it represents a survival strategy forged in pain and rooted in ancient tradition. Wilma Mankiller, the first female Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, brought this wisdom to a national audience. Yet, she did not claim credit for it. She passed it along as a gift from her ancestors.
Wilma Mankiller – National Women’s History Museum
The Crucible of Physical Trauma
To understand the power of these words, we must look at the context. In the fall of 1979, Wilma Mankiller faced a life-altering event. A head-on car collision shattered her world. The impact was devastating. It crushed her face and broke her ribs. Furthermore, her legs sustained severe damage. She woke up in a hospital bed, facing a new reality. The doctors proposed a long, painful road ahead. She needed multiple reconstructive surgeries.
Recovery demanded immense physical strength. However, the mental challenge proved equally difficult. Despair could have easily taken over. During those long months of rehabilitation, she needed a mental anchor. Consequently, she turned to the teachings of her youth. She remembered the guidance of Cherokee elders. These teachings did not deny pain. Instead, they offered a way to move through it. She applied these lessons daily. They became her lifeline during her darkest hours.
Revealing the Source of Wisdom
Years later, Mankiller shared her secret with the world. In August 1991, Parade magazine published a profile on her. The article, written by Hank Whittemore, appeared in newspapers across the country. Titled “She Leads a Nation,” the piece offered a glimpse into her philosophy. In this interview, she detailed the principles that saved her. She clarified that these were not her original inventions.
She acted as a messenger. She wanted to honor the elders who taught her. Therefore, she presented these ideas as traditional Cherokee precepts. This distinction is vital. It connects the advice to a lineage of survival. It transforms a personal motto into cultural wisdom. By citing the elders, she demonstrated humility. She showed that true leadership involves listening to those who came before.
The First Precept: Keeping a Good Mind
The quote at the beginning of this article summarizes the first precept. The elders taught her to keep a “good mind.” This concept goes beyond simple optimism. It requires active mental discipline. You must look at a situation and hunt for the positive. Even in a hospital bed, Mankiller found reasons to be grateful.
Moreover, this practice extends to people. The teaching suggests we should find something good in everyone we meet. This transforms how we interact with others. It reduces judgment. It fosters connection. When you look for the good, you usually find it. Conversely, if you look for the bad, you will find that too. This shift in perspective changes your entire reality. It empowers you to control your reaction, even when you cannot control the event.
The Second Precept: Community Connection
The second teaching Mankiller highlighted focuses on our relationship with others. We do not exist in a vacuum. The elders emphasized that we are all interconnected. Therefore, we must avoid selfish behavior. We should not act solely for our own benefit. Instead, we must consider the welfare of the tribe, the family, and the community.
This creates a support network. When tragedy strikes, a connected person is never truly alone. Helping others actually aids our own healing. It gives us purpose. It shifts our focus away from our own pain. Consequently, we feel less isolated. Mankiller lived this truth. Her leadership style reflected this deep commitment to the collective good. She understood that a leader serves the people, not the other way around.
The Third Precept: The Seven Generations
The final principle deals with time and responsibility. It urges us to look forward. We must see beyond the immediate moment. The elders taught that we should turn past experiences into a better path for the future. We learn from yesterday to improve tomorrow.
Furthermore, this teaching introduces a specific timeframe. We must consider the impact of our decisions on seven generations into the future. This is a profound standard for decision-making. It forces us to think about sustainability. It demands that we act as stewards of the earth and our culture.
For Mankiller, this meant her recovery was not just for her. She healed so she could serve the future. She endured the pain to build a path for others. This long-term vision provides perspective. It makes present struggles seem smaller in the grand scheme of time.
Applying Ancient Truths Today
These teachings remain relevant today. We all face personal car crashes of some kind. We encounter loss, failure, and illness. The advice to “find something good” is not about ignoring reality. It is about choosing where to focus your energy.
Additionally, the call to community is urgent. In a fragmented world, we need to remember our interconnectedness. We need to act for the benefit of others. Finally, the seven-generation mindset offers a solution to modern short-sightedness. If we applied this thinking to our environment or economy, the world would change.
Wilma Mankiller passed away in 2010, but the message survives. She successfully transmitted the wisdom of the elders. Now, it is up to us to apply it. We can start by finding one good thing in our current situation. From there, we can build a better future.