The Parable of the Two Wolves is a well-known Native American story that has been passed down through generations. It is a simple yet powerful tale that serves as a metaphor for the internal struggle between good and evil, or more broadly, between positive and negative emotions. The story goes that an old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life. He tells the boy that there is a constant battle going on inside him between two wolves. One wolf represents anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. The other wolf represents joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The grandson then asks his grandfather which wolf will win the battle, to which the old Cherokee replies, “The one you feed.”
This parable serves as a reminder that we all have the power to choose which emotions and attitudes we feed and nurture within ourselves. It is a call to mindfulness and self-awareness, urging us to be conscious of our thoughts and actions in order to cultivate a positive and fulfilling life.
Understanding the Two Wolves
The Parable of the Two Wolves is a powerful metaphor for the internal struggle that each person faces on a daily basis. The two wolves represent the opposing forces within us – the negative and positive emotions that vie for our attention and energy. The negative wolf embodies all the destructive emotions and attitudes that can hold us back from living a fulfilling and happy life. These include anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. On the other hand, the positive wolf represents all the emotions and attitudes that contribute to our well-being and happiness – joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith.
It is important to understand that both wolves exist within us and that they are in constant conflict. The parable teaches us that we have the power to choose which wolf we feed and nurture. By being mindful of our thoughts and actions, we can actively choose to cultivate the positive wolf within us and diminish the influence of the negative wolf.
Identifying the Negative Wolf
In order to nurture the positive wolf within us, it is crucial to first identify the negative wolf and its manifestations in our lives. The negative wolf represents all the destructive emotions and attitudes that can hinder our personal growth and happiness. These include anger, which can lead to conflict and resentment; envy, which breeds jealousy and dissatisfaction; sorrow and regret, which can lead to depression and a sense of hopelessness; greed and arrogance, which can lead to selfishness and a lack of empathy; self-pity and guilt, which can lead to feelings of unworthiness; resentment and inferiority, which can lead to bitterness and low self-esteem; lies and false pride, which can lead to dishonesty and a lack of authenticity; superiority and ego, which can lead to a lack of humility and compassion.
By recognizing these negative emotions and attitudes within ourselves, we can begin to take steps towards diminishing their influence in our lives. This may involve practicing self-reflection and mindfulness in order to become aware of our thoughts and actions. It may also involve seeking support from friends, family, or mental health professionals in order to address any underlying issues that may be contributing to the dominance of the negative wolf within us.
Nurturing the Positive Wolf
Once we have identified the negative wolf within us, we can begin to take steps towards nurturing the positive wolf. This involves actively cultivating the emotions and attitudes that contribute to our well-being and happiness. These include joy, which brings a sense of fulfillment and contentment; peace and love, which foster harmonious relationships and emotional stability; hope and serenity, which provide a sense of optimism and inner peace; humility and kindness, which promote empathy and compassion towards others; benevolence and generosity, which encourage acts of kindness and altruism; empathy and truth, which foster understanding and authenticity; compassion and faith, which provide a sense of purpose and connection to something greater than ourselves.
Nurturing the positive wolf involves making conscious choices in our thoughts and actions in order to feed these positive emotions and attitudes within us. This may involve practicing gratitude and mindfulness in order to focus on the present moment and appreciate the good things in our lives. It may also involve engaging in activities that bring us joy and fulfillment, such as spending time with loved ones or pursuing hobbies that bring us happiness. By actively nurturing the positive wolf within us, we can begin to shift our focus towards a more fulfilling and meaningful life.
Choosing Happiness: Applying the Parable to Everyday Life
The Parable of the Two Wolves serves as a powerful reminder that we have the power to choose which emotions and attitudes we feed within ourselves. This concept can be applied to everyday life in order to cultivate a more positive and fulfilling existence. By being mindful of our thoughts and actions, we can actively choose to nurture the positive wolf within us and diminish the influence of the negative wolf.
One way to apply this parable to everyday life is by practicing gratitude and mindfulness. By focusing on the present moment and appreciating the good things in our lives, we can shift our focus towards a more positive outlook. This may involve keeping a gratitude journal or simply taking time each day to reflect on the things that bring us joy and fulfillment.
Another way to apply this parable is by engaging in activities that bring us happiness. Whether it’s spending time with loved ones, pursuing hobbies that bring us joy, or engaging in acts of kindness towards others, these activities can help to nurture the positive wolf within us. By making conscious choices in our thoughts and actions, we can actively choose to feed the emotions and attitudes that contribute to our well-being and happiness.
Overcoming Obstacles in Choosing Happiness
While choosing happiness may seem like a simple concept in theory, it can be challenging to put into practice. There are many obstacles that can hinder our ability to nurture the positive wolf within us. These may include external factors such as stressors at work or in our personal lives, as well as internal factors such as negative thought patterns or underlying mental health issues.
One way to overcome these obstacles is by seeking support from friends, family, or mental health professionals. By reaching out for help when needed, we can address any underlying issues that may be contributing to the dominance of the negative wolf within us. This may involve seeking therapy or counseling in order to work through negative thought patterns or unresolved emotional issues.
Another way to overcome obstacles in choosing happiness is by practicing self-care. This may involve engaging in activities that bring us joy and fulfillment, such as exercise or creative pursuits. It may also involve setting boundaries with external stressors in order to prioritize our well-being. By taking care of ourselves both physically and emotionally, we can better equip ourselves to nurture the positive wolf within us.
Embracing the Power of Choice
The Parable of the Two Wolves serves as a powerful reminder that we have the power to choose which emotions and attitudes we feed within ourselves. By being mindful of our thoughts and actions, we can actively choose to nurture the positive wolf within us and diminish the influence of the negative wolf. This concept can be applied to everyday life in order to cultivate a more positive and fulfilling existence.
While choosing happiness may come with its own set of challenges, it is ultimately a choice that we have the power to make. By practicing gratitude and mindfulness, engaging in activities that bring us joy, seeking support when needed, and practicing self-care, we can overcome obstacles in choosing happiness. Embracing the power of choice allows us to shift our focus towards a more fulfilling and meaningful life. As the old Cherokee said to his grandson – “The one you feed.” While choosing happiness may come with its own set of challenges, it is ultimately a choice that we have the power to make. By practicing gratitude and mindfulness, engaging in activities that bring us joy, seeking support when needed, and practicing self-care, we can overcome obstacles in choosing happiness. Embracing the power of choice allows us to shift our focus towards a more fulfilling and meaningful life. As the old Cherokee said to his grandson – “The one you feed.” This quote reminds us that we have the power to choose which thoughts and emotions we nourish and cultivate within ourselves, ultimately shaping our own happiness and well-being.
