A prayer is talking to the Creator. That is half of what needs to happen. The second part of talking to the Creator is listening for answers. That is so often the half that is forgotten. Many tribes have traditional items they use to remind them to listen. Some items are for ceremonial use, while others are very personal and private.

We have gathered together four items that are most commonly used among tribes to help them remember to listen. The items are tied to a 5-inch circle of beads that can be easily placed over your fingers as the items nestle in the palm of your hand. The listening items include a crystal (strong protection while you listen), a turquoise (reminder of the Creator), abalone (colors change, just as life changes), and coral (we can create great things if we work together, like tiny sea creatures work together to create coral).

Sometimes we listen, and the answers are difficult. Perhaps we need to close our fingers around the small piece of abalone because we are facing life changes. Maybe coral will give us strength to take the answers we listened for and use them for our future well being. Keeping the crystal or turquoise near our fingertips reminds us to stay near the Creator and listen for the answers we prayed for.

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