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The Southern Paiute Native American Tribe follows a traditional way of life known as
the Ten Directions. According to Mr. Richard Arnold, a member of the Pahrump Paiute Tribe,
the Ten Directions provide spiritual guidance. "Spirituality is a very important aspect of
who we are, what we are, why we are, and who we'll be."
The directions include North, East, South, and West, Up and Down, and the past present
and future. Each direction carries a deep meaning and culminates in a tenth directions,
which is Yourself. You, linking all directions together into one whole person for better
days ahead.
"You have to really build upon past experiences, you have to recognize some of the less positive
things always looking at the positive attributes of what a person has to take or to bring within
their lives to really make them a better or stronger person."
Mr. Arnold believes that despite the differences in our journey's, the Ten Directions and the
Air Forces' Four Pillars of Resiliency complement each other, and can help Airmen remember,
although they are a part of a bigger picture, they still have to stay in touch with themselves,to
remain balanced.
"The uniform is an integral part of the military and who you are- but also within that uniform
is the person and the person that has the heart that speaks with convictions that speaks
with a good heart, who wants to become a better person, to help ensure that they're doing
the best job they possibly can, that they're always striving for that exellence."
Cultures and organizatons all over the world recognize the importance of spirituality.
The Air Force is one of those organizations, and through the Comprehensive Airman Fitness
Program, is committed to helping Airman understand how their individual resilience is critical
to the success of the entire team.
"If you wanna go through life being complacent and maybe doing a job just to get by- a person
can do that.. But thats not what the ten directions that people believe in, thats not what the
cultural people believe in, and I know thats not what the Air Force believes in."
Airman First Class Taylor West, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.