Actually, I was thinking about my writing when this thought popped up. I pictured myself paddling across a big lake in a canoe with my head down and digging for all I was worth to make it to the far shore. All I saw was the canoe bottom at my feet and felt the sweat rolling down my neck. The story had to get written as soon as possible. There was work to do. There was no time to waste
Each time I glanced up, I was farther off course from my destination. Was that a waterfall flowing from the lake ahead?
It seems to me that an Indianism could implant itself in my head about then and start counting off the bits of wisdom a follower of the natural order would contemplate. Paddle slower and use the energy you have to follow a better path. Keep watching for the spot you want to land at and keep an eye on the weather and swimming wildlife. Appreciate your journey and see what else is around you that would add substance to your story.
Of course, I have no idea whether anyone ever spoke these words of wisdom, no matter what cultural background they may have come from, but someone should have! I'm sure that many other thoughts have been attributed to the wisdom of the Tribes, but were really only guestimations of what a noble people would come up with if I were them. I'm sure they would be thinking that they're glad that I'm not!