Movember & 7 Grandfather Teachings (Truth)

Movember is quickly coming to a close as today is officially the last day!  It is almost time to mow this Mo!

This is also the final blog posting for our series linking Movember and health literacy to the sacred 7 Grandfather Teachings.  The 7th and final sacred Grandfather Teaching is Truth:

Debwewin—Truth: Truth is to know all of these things. Speak the truth. Do not deceive yourself or others.

It’s all about accountability. People need to be accountable to themselves first.  I like this teaching because it explains that.  Most people believe that we have to be truthful to others.  But what about ourselves?

The same goes with health literacy.  People need to know that it’s OK not to know something.  But it’s also important to hold ourselves accountable to our actions.  For example, the word “can’t.”  People like to say things like: “I can’t lose 10 pounds.  I can’t quit smoking.  I can’t eat a balanced diet.”  What if people changed the word to “won’t.”  People might be saying: “I won’t lose 10 pounds.  I won’t quit smoking.  I won’t eat a balanced diet.”  By using the word “won’t” we are giving ourselves a choice.  People don’t like the word “won’t” because at the end of the day people want to make healthy lifestyle changes.  So what if every time we use the word “can’t” we replace it with “I don’t know how.”

“I don’t know how to lose 10 pounds.  I don’t know how to quit smoking.  I don’t know how to eat a balanced diet.”

Simply by changing these simple words around, we can be truthful to ourselves, remove the barriers and allow ourselves to learn more about health literacy.  Let’s be accountable to ourselves first and learn from all 7 Grandfather Teachings.

On behalf of the Good Learning Anywhere team and Sioux Hudson Literacy Council, we would like to thank you for all your support for Movember 2011.  It’s been a great experience, we’ve promoted a lot of health literacy awareness for our learners, and we made some new connections as well.

Movember & 7 Grandfather Teachings (Humility)

Men around the world have been growing mustaches for almost 30 days straight now for Movember.  For some, it will feel like a very humiliating experience.  Some men are not used to growing a Mo and their friends and family aren’t used to seeing a Mo on their loved ones.  But you have to give these men some credit. We all might look a little silly, and out of character, but we have formed a connected group of men who have changed the face of men’s health literacy.

In this blog series, we are continuing with linking the sacred 7 Grandfather Teachings to men’s health literacy.  The sixth Grandfather Teaching is Humility:

Dabaadendiziwin—Humility: Humility is to know yourself as a sacred part of Creation. In the Anishinaabe language, this word can also mean “compassion.” You are equal to others, but you are not better. Some communities instead express this with Bekaadiziwin, which in addition to “humility” can also be translated as “calmness,” “meekness,” “gentility” or “patience.”

My interpretation of this teaching is that all of mankind are equal.  We all have an equal and sacred part of existence in the world.  We are all equal to others and in no way is anyone better than another.  This is another great relationship to Movember.

All the men growing the Mo are equals.  There is not one Mo that is better than the other.  Some might disagree on this point.  But ultimately, it’s not about who has the best Mo.  It’s about coming together as men, showing leadership, and changing the face of men’s health by raising funds and awareness for men’s health literacy and prostate cancer.  Movember is about pride, being selfless and looking out for each other…all similar if not the same attributes that connect to the teaching of humility.

Movember & 7 Grandfather Teachings (Honesty)

I am going to be completely honest with you.  It has not been difficult to grow a moustache for the 30 days in Movember.  In fact, there have been days that I have really enjoyed growing the Mo…so much so that I have thought about keeping it.  I have not quite decided on that yet though!

Honestly, the hardest part of Movember has been trying to write this blog series on the sacred 7 Grandfather Teachings and link them to men’s health literacy.  Here I am, a white non-Aboriginal male, sharing information on teachings outside my culture and trying to link them to a worldwide movement for men’s health: Movember.  I certainly feel that this is outside of my comfort zone…(but I am trying to learn something new from this experience)

Gwayakwaadiziwin—Honesty: Honesty in facing a situation is to be brave. Always be honest in word and action. Be honest first with yourself, and you will more easily be able to be honest with others. In the Anishinaabe language, this word can also mean “righteousness.”

Throughout Movember, I have reflected a lot about the adult learners in the Good Learning Anywhere program.  They have been keeping me motivated for Movember.  Many have never taken any upgrading classes before, and never online for that matter, so I consider them to be brave.  They have been honest with themselves as they are taking courses that will get them closer to meeting their goals.

The same is true for men’s health as well.  All men, including myself, need to be honest with ourselves first and become more knowledgeable about health issues and prostate cancer particularly.  Honesty demonstrates leadership among men in our communities.

I also think that for men, we need to take action on health issues.  It’s nice to talk about it but it means nothing if we don’t take action.  This requires bravery.

So this question goes to the men who read this blog: How honest are you being with yourself?

Movember & 7 Grandfather Teachings (Bravery)

Movember is now in the home stretch with only 7 days remaining.  I am sure there are some Mo Bro’s who are getting a little anxious and excited to shave their Mo’s.  I can think of one Mo Bro at least.

We would like to continue this blog series with the 4th of the 7 Grandfather Teachings:

Aakode’ewin—Bravery: Bravery is to face the foe with integrity. In the Anishinaabe language, this word literally means “state of having a fearless heart.” To do what is right even when the consequences are unpleasant. Some communities instead use either Zoongadikiwin (“state of having a strong casing”) or Zoongide’ewin (“state of having a strong heart”).

Health literacy is the theme of this blog series and we’re linking it to the traditional 7 Grandfather Teachings.  This is my interpretation of this teaching and health literacy.   Let’s be honest, it can be painful to be honest.  It’s not easy to face our challenges head on and admit that we have issues to deal with…especially when it comes to men’s health.  As Movember Canada reminds us:

Studies show that many men don’t get regular health checks for the following reasons:

• Fear it will lead to a hospital visit
• Embarrassed to discuss their health issues
• Find it too hard to see a doctor because they just can’t fit it into their schedule
• Just can’t be bothered making an appointment

We need to be brave and do what is right when it comes to improving our health literacy.  That might mean that we get out of our comfort zone.  That might mean eating healthy foods that don’t taste as good as what we’re used to.  That might mean that our muscles and bodies might ache when we do exercises and other physical activity.

So this Movember, ask yourself, “How brave are YOU?”

Movember & 7 Grandfather Teachings (Love)

Week 1 of Movember is quickly coming to a close.  Many of the Mo Bros out there are definitely starting to gather some mo-mentum as their Mo continues to grow.  Another thing growing is our increased knowledge about health literacy.

In our last blog, Movember & 7 Grandfather Teachings (Wisdom), we tied health literacy & Movember to the sacred teaching of Wisdom.  In this blog, we are going to discuss the teaching of Love.

Zaagi’idiwin—Love: To know Love is to know peace. Love must be unconditional. When people are weak they need love the most. In the Anishinaabe language, this word with the reciprocal theme indicates that this form of love is mutual. In some communities, Gizhaawenidiwin is used, which in most context means “jealousy” but in this context is translated as either “love” or “zeal”.  Again, the reciprocal theme indicates that this form of love is mutual.

In the definition above, there is one line that stands out for me.  ”When people are weak they need love the most.”  

So what does that mean?  Weak does not mean lack of physical strength or endurance.  Weakness can affect the mind, body and spirit.  When a person is weak in one of these areas, they become unbalanced.  They need love.

Through Movember, we’re going to read, hear and see a lot of information about health literacy.  We’re going to encourage people to take care of themselves and tell them all these great things that they need to do.

But before we start spreading all this wonderful information, let’s consider getting our lives balanced – and that could all start with giving or receiving a hug!  Maybe when a person feels loved, they will feel more inspired and motivated to take care of themselves?

What do you think?