The inner turmoil each and every one of us has within us can be described as two wolves, it all depends on which wolf we support or “feed”. In our busy lives, we move through our days and often forget that we have a certain amount of control over how things go. So much is dependent upon the choices that we make. The most important choices are about our thoughts. People may say that they are influenced because they have an angel on one shoulder and a devil on the other. Or, they may say they have a really loud inner critic and a quiet, rational inner voice.
Parable of the Two Wolves
An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life. “A fight is going on inside me,” he said to the boy. “It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One is evil – he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.
He continued, “The other is good – he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you – and inside every other person, too.”
The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, “Which wolf will win?” The old Cherokee simply replied, “The one you feed.”
Our lives are full of ways to consume information. Whether you are scrolling through social media, tuning into the news, or just having a conversation with a friend who is passing along information from their own consumption, you are constantly receiving information. All of this information can impact how we see the world. It can also impact how we see ourselves and our role in the world. When we allow endless amounts of information to come into our life, we are feeding a wolf.
We Are Influenced by That Which We Consume
One of the sad things about the overconsumption of media is that there is a large difference between what actually happens in the world and what we believe happens due to how things are presented. I work with people everyday and hear beautiful stories about their triumphs, love, and compassionate experiences as they walk through the world. These are people who come from various walks of life and have the goal of helping their own and other communities.
However, we don’t need outside sources to fuel our inner wolf.
Sometimes, the stories that have been told to us repeat in our heads years afterward. These stories contribute to how we feel and what we do. For example, the failure of a spouse to do certain things at home may lead to thoughts of anger and resentment. You may say to yourself, “They don’t help. I have to do everything by myself.” Whether or not it is true that your spouse doesn’t help is part of the story, but your choice to feed the anger, instead of feeding compassion or openness through communication can draw you further away from your spouse and further away from your goal of getting things done at home.
Here are 3 questions to help you support and feed your good wolf:
- How have you been feeding the evil wolf? How have you been feeding the good wolf?
- What difference does it make in your life when you feed the good wolf?
- What is one commitment you’re willing to make to yourself in order to feed the good wolf?
You will always have both wolves inside of you, so it is an eternal journey of discovery and intention to feed the good one. Remember that every little thing you do or think can influence which wolf you’re feeding. Notice your thoughts and celebrate your accomplishments. The wolf you choose to feed will define you.
