Which Wolf Will You Feed
One evening an old Cherokee Indian told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, ‘My son, the battle is between two ‘wolves’ inside us all.
One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.
The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.’
The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: ‘Which wolf wins?’
The old Cherokee simply replied, ‘The one you feed.’
You may have heard this story before, it is often repeated in books and movies, most recently in Tomorrowland (another Rambler Recommendation). It reminds us that we choose who we are in every decision we make, every response we put forward. By deciding what emotions we give into, we decide which wolf we are feeding, what person we are becoming.
Feeding the wolves is a constant battle, one I believe is only ever truly ended when our days on this earth end. No one is inherently good or evil, no one’s wolf has won yet as we all have both living within us for as long as we live. We have the potential for both good and evil ever present in who we are as individuals, and we all have the power to switch back and forth in which wolf we feed.
Growing up, I struggled with anger management issues, I fed my darker wolf out of anger and resentment that others did not see the world with the same logic as I did, did not communicate in the same way, did not understand things the way that I did, did not believe that I too had truth and wisdom to offer despite my young years. I could not understand how they could live with their eyes closed and rather than accepting this, I lashed out and tried to force them to see things my way.
How well do you think that worked? I was quickly well acquainted with the words “you're grounded” and “go to your room” that's how well that worked.
Despite having wisdom to share, I had not yet acquired the wisdom to properly communicate it. That I learned from the patience and understanding of my light wolf once I finally accepted that I wasn't approaching things the right way, wasn't feeding the right wolf.
Once I accepted that I wasn't the person I wanted to be but had the power to become, everything changed. It was a realization I had to come to myself and it is an effort I must continue to put forth every day.
We are not who we were, we are who we wish to become.
We have all done things we are not proud of, we have all gotten angry or upset in a way that left us realizing we probably could have handled things a little better and we have all had opportunities to learn and grow. Opportunities that will continue to arise as we live our lives.
Think about the aspects of the wolves listed above and how they are represented in society right now; in the shows we watch, in the music we listen to, particularly in the news.
More and more I am seeing negativity flourish, fear, hate, anger, superiority, lies, etc, all signs of the metaphorical dark wolf who lies not only in individuals but in the collective community that we all contribute to.
Think about things in your past that have offered you a chance to reflect and become a better person. Think about the person you wish to be and the community you wish to live in. What are characteristics you have to practice to become that person in that place? What food are you putting out there for the communal wolf and what personal wolf have you been feeding, dark? Light? Both?
Feeding the wolves is a constant battle, one I believe is only ever truly ended when our days on this earth end. No one is inherently good or evil, no one’s wolf has won yet as we all have both living within us for as long as we live. We have the potential for both good and evil ever present in who we are as individuals, and we all have the power to switch back and forth in which wolf we feed.
Growing up, I struggled with anger management issues, I fed my darker wolf out of anger and resentment that others did not see the world with the same logic as I did, did not communicate in the same way, did not understand things the way that I did, did not believe that I too had truth and wisdom to offer despite my young years. I could not understand how they could live with their eyes closed and rather than accepting this, I lashed out and tried to force them to see things my way.
How well do you think that worked? I was quickly well acquainted with the words “you're grounded” and “go to your room” that's how well that worked.
Despite having wisdom to share, I had not yet acquired the wisdom to properly communicate it. That I learned from the patience and understanding of my light wolf once I finally accepted that I wasn't approaching things the right way, wasn't feeding the right wolf.
Once I accepted that I wasn't the person I wanted to be but had the power to become, everything changed. It was a realization I had to come to myself and it is an effort I must continue to put forth every day.
We are not who we were, we are who we wish to become.
We have all done things we are not proud of, we have all gotten angry or upset in a way that left us realizing we probably could have handled things a little better and we have all had opportunities to learn and grow. Opportunities that will continue to arise as we live our lives.
Think about the aspects of the wolves listed above and how they are represented in society right now; in the shows we watch, in the music we listen to, particularly in the news.
More and more I am seeing negativity flourish, fear, hate, anger, superiority, lies, etc, all signs of the metaphorical dark wolf who lies not only in individuals but in the collective community that we all contribute to.
Think about things in your past that have offered you a chance to reflect and become a better person. Think about the person you wish to be and the community you wish to live in. What are characteristics you have to practice to become that person in that place? What food are you putting out there for the communal wolf and what personal wolf have you been feeding, dark? Light? Both?
Every day is an open invitation to workout and discover who you are and who you want to be, an opportunity to find your balance. I invite you all to get to know your wolves and the power you have over them rather than the power they have over you.
Cheers!
The Bra Street Rambler
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