Sandi L Boucher reflects on learning from everyday life and prepares listeners for upcoming life stages. She cites a TV quote (Adam Brody) about the "youth stage / higher learning," describes that many teachings occur in mundane moments (e.g., washing dishes with her mother), and offers practical guidance—"pack a good canoe"—to be prepared for predictable challenges. She emphasizes teaching coping skills and observing lessons from all people and places. The speaker then signals a shift to discussing the "adult stage" (action stage).
Chapters
Now this one made me laugh. I got him in. And yes, I'm still on. Nobody wants this, that movie because I swear, the pilot, just that first episode, the quotes in it, like, you gotta picture me sitting on my couch with my remote, keep backing up, go forward, back up. So I could write this down. Because I do notice everything creator sends me. Well, I'd like to believe everything. I probably miss some stuff, but I'm way better than I used to be. And this quote just made me laugh from the soul because I could so relate to it. So the quote again, it's Adam Brody. I forget what is Seth. I don't know what his name in the show is, but he's the rabbi, the hot rabbi. You definitely got to watch this. I swear to God, this is not a sponsored video. I just totally believe you need to watch it. Anyways, his quote, we're now in the youth stage, higher learning. Now, if you think God's plan is supposed to feel a certain way and you haven't felt it, if you wonder if we're all in on some big secret that you're not in on, let me tell you, you're in on it. I laughed when I heard not only is it absolutely freaking true, all that this world reveals is there for you to see it, if you just choose to see it. But what made me laugh is I've shared a couple of times now that when I do my seminars and I either have a mixed audience or it definitely happens when I have an exclusive non indigenous audience, that someone just in the course of sharing, you get the impression, you start realizing that these people think that we receive our teachings sitting at a sacred fire or in the ceremony, which absolutely happens. I mean, we can offer tobacco to an elder and ask for that guidance on a regular basis. In the same way that Christians can go to church and talk to their priest or talk to people that are elders in their church community. I mean, it's not exclusive to indigenous nations, but I always laugh when I hear people say that. Because 99 of my teachings, at least the ones I've received from my mom, happened when we were washing dishes. That's when we would talk. That's when she would. I would share my challenges. That's when she would ask what I thought about that and help me to find my own answers. My mom refused to give me answers. In her words, she would say, you're the only one that's going to be here for your whole journey. You need to learn what you need to be able to go on without me. And as morbid as that may sound, it absolutely isn't. Life's going to happen. I'm a huge advocate of coping mechanism. Give your skill. Don't bubble wrap your kids. Don't try to protect them from the world. Arm them. And I don't mean with weapons. I mean with the skills. Coping mechanisms. Teach them how to handle disappointment. Teach them how. Teach them conflict resolution. Teach them negotiation skills. And if you don't know those, learn with them. Prepare them for the journey. When our elders talk about packing a good canoe, that's what they're talking about. They're not literally talking about a canoe trip. They're talking about prepare yourself for the next day. You blow all your money on payday. Don't complain about being broke when something unexpected happens. On Tuesday, you emptied your canoe. So pack a good canoe. No. Expect the unexpected, especially if it's happened before. Is it really unexpected? Christmas is coming. You might have to spend some money. I will. In the bed of birthdays coming up a time or two. Or 10 if you haven't maintained your vehicle. That's going to get expensive. Set aside money for that. Pack a good canoe and watch for the teachings that happen in the every single day. I have learned from houseless people that I passed. I have learned from complete strangers, from children, from adults, from elders. The lessons are there. You are in on the secret if you choose to observe, see and listen. Now let's talk about the adult stage. That's an action stage. So next.
