Wolves

I've been in a bit of a funk lately for what could be several reasons or possibly nothing specific.  I can't say.  I know that lunar fluctuations in hormones don't help and neither do colder days darkened by thick cloud and diminishing daylight.

I can do nothing to change these elements that affect my mood.  I try not to let things linger, even if they weren't worth worrying about in the first place.  Still, I'd rather not let something insignificant linger unaddressed and find it has mushroomed into something monumental later.  In this state, I search for inspiration.  The following excerpt from 'The Wolves Within, Native American Tales' was just what was needed to put it all back into perspective.

An Old Cherokee was teaching his grandchildren about life.  He said to them, "a battle is raging inside of me... it is a terrible fight between two wolves.  One wolf represents fear, anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority and ego.  The other stands for joy, peace, love, hope, sharing, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, friendship, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith."

The old man fixed the children with a firm stare.  "This same fight is going on inside of you and inside every other person too."

They thought for a minute and then one child asked his grandfather, "Which wolf will win?"

The Old Cherokee replied: "The one you feed."