In the highs and lows of life there is often inner struggle. I first heard the tale of the two wolves some years ago, and it has appeared again twice this past week. Time to take notice for myself and share with you! I love the simplicity of it and how it really opens up a new approach to dealing with our own attitudes and emotions.
There’s an old Native American tale about an elder who realized that he had two wolves fighting inside of him.
One was mean spirited and selfish, and the other was noble and compassionate.
A younger man once asks of him “Which wolf usually wins?”
He replied, “It depends on which one I feed.”
Can you relate to this story? Which attitudes of mind and emotions do you tend to feed?
When we recognize and accept that both wolves are inside us, we can become mindful of which one to nourish.
Find Your Middle Ground 
Until we become mindful, that darned wolf eats all of the scraps we so carelessly drop each day. When the wolf finally becomes so huge that he eyes us hungrily…………it’s time to realize that it isn’t the neighbor that’s feeding the wolf, it’s us. Love the simplicity of your story.
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Thanks SWH for adding to the story and insight. I love the insight that we feed the wolf scraps without knowing it! Mindfulness lets us control the feeding schedule and know it is indeed ours and not the neighbor’s fault. LOL 🙂
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Oh this is so true… I need to continue to remember that the one I feed is the one that becomes the strongest. m.
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Thanks Mari. I’m glad you enjoyed the post, It’s a good reminder for all of us! Val x
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Oh, yes, I’ve heard this one many times! It holds so much meaning in such a simple, short story. Thanks for sharing it with me today.
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I have shared this before on SLTW, by my two wolves were more multi-faceted:
An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life.
“A terrible fight is going on inside me between two wolves. One wolf is evil. He is dishonesty, anger, envy, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, false pride, superiority and egotism.
“The other wolf is good. He is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility,
kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith.
“This same fight is going on inside you, and inside every other person, too.”
The grandson thought about his grandfather’s words for a minute, and then asked, “Which wolf will win?”
The old Cherokee replied, “The one you feed.”
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You are a true story teller Nancy! Thank you 🙂
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Reblogged this on awesomemetilda and commented:
This is really inspiring.
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Thank you so much for reflagging this Metilda. I’m bald you enjoyed it. Val x
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I did also hear this one from Native Americans years ago. It is so true and it is up to ourselves, who we wish to feed.
Thanks for sharing.
Irene
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Thanks Irene. Someone brought in a new perspective today … about feeding some one else. We may think we are feeding the loving understanding wolf when in fact we may be feeding the resentful blaming one.
I’ve experienced this too.
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Yes these are possible too
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I blogged this myself quite some time ago with a graphic I created. It’s a wonderful legend and one that I really admire. Thanks for sharing it once more.
A good legend is always worth repeating.
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Thanks Sue! The good ones are worth repeating. Val x
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Very interesting – I hear this story for the first time last week, at a coaching course! What a coincidence that it should come up in my life again!
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No coincidence … serenditity! Thank you for sharing.
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Greetings, I thought you might like my animation of The Legend Of Two Wolves
Blessings ~
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Thank you Celestial Elf. Your animated story is great 🙂
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