I’ve shared this Native American story before but was reminded of it this past week when working with a client.
“There’s a story of the two wolves in Cherokee culture in which a grandfather teaches his
grandson an important life lesson.
The grandfather tells his grandson that there is a battle going on inside all of us. It is a battle between two wolves that live inside us.
He says, “My son, the battle is between two ‘wolves’ that live 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 thinks about it for a while and says, “Which wolf wins?”
The grandfather replies, “The one you feed”.
When I read the story my obvious answer is that I want to feed the wolf that helps me get closer to my desires.
However, when I researched the story a bit more I found the story with a different ending. An ending that focuses on the traits of both wolves and how they both serve us.
HERE’S HOW THE ORIGINAL STORY OF THE TWO WOLVES REALLY ENDS:
The grandson thinks about it for a while and says, “Which wolf wins?
The old Cherokee smiled and replied, “If you feed them right, they both win.”
The story goes on.
“You see, if I only feed the white wolf, the black wolf will hide in the dark waiting for me to falter so that it can pounce and get the attention he craves. He will always be angry and will always be fighting the white wolf. But if I acknowledge him, both he and the white wolf can be satisfied, and we all win.
For the black wolf has qualities that I need and that the white wolf lacks:
tenacity, courage, fearlessness, strength of will, and resourcefulness. The white wolf instead provides compassion, caring, heart, and the ability to value the needs of others over my own.
You see, the two wolves need each other. Feeding only one and starving the other will eventually make both uncontrollable. Caring for both allows them both to serve you, so that you can do something greater, something good with your time on earth.
Feed them both and you will quiet their internal struggle for your attention, and, when there is no battle inside, you can then hear the voices of deeper knowledge that will guide you in choosing the right path in every circumstance.
Peace, my son, is what we must all strive for in life. He who has peace inside has everything. He who harbors a storm within his heart and soul has nothing.
How you choose to treat the opposing forces within you will ultimately determine how you live.”
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We are heading into a Post COVID-19 world and creating a new normal.
What was once seemingly impossible has become possible.
Participate in creating the life you want. Harness the fears and desires.
Managing both sides, the dark side & the light side, the fears, the desires “will guide you in choosing the right path in every circumstance.”
If you would like assistance in choosing your path and making what you thought was once impossible, possible, connect with me, and let’s have a conversation.
Unite both sides. Create peace. Make powerful progress.
Unity. Peace. Progress.
Be well!
~Nancy
Wish it. Dream it. Do it!
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