Day 7 of 1461

Teaching

“There is no death, only a change of worlds.”
— Chief Seattle (Suquamish and Duwamish)

Significance

This quote from Chief Seattle speaks to more than just life and death—it reflects a deep understanding of transformation. In Native American worldviews, change is constant, and how we respond to change determines whether something sacred is preserved or lost. The idea of “changing worlds” can also be applied to societal shifts: when one era ends and another begins, it matters how that change unfolds and who guides it.

Right now, democracy in many places is changing—not always because of outside threats, but from forces growing within. These include manipulation of truth, erosion of civic trust, and attacks on democratic institutions. If we are not mindful, we may not recognize that the world we are entering is one where freedom and justice no longer thrive. Chief Seattle’s words remind us that transformation is inevitable, but not neutral. What kind of world we change into depends on the values we carry with us—truth, respect, and responsibility. If we allow fear, apathy, or power-hunger to lead, we risk waking up in a world we no longer recognize.

Affirmation
Today I remain awake and aware. I honor truth, protect justice, and guide change with wisdom. The future is not fixed—I help shape it with every choice I make.

#ChiefSeattle #ChangeOfWorlds #ProtectDemocracy #InterfaithVoices #1461Verses #GuardTheFuture #CivicWisdom