There is a Native American folk tale. Some may have heard of it told with two wolves. The version I am referencing is about a wolf and a dog.
The dog is everything good. He is sharing, loyalty, caring, loving, happiness, forgiveness, kindness and hope.
The wolf is everything evil. He is selfishness, cunning, greed, arrogance, self-pity, anger, hate, and regret.
Each of us has a dog and a wolf inside of us. There is a great battle going on between them.
Which one will win?
We could be wolves. We can choose to be selfish and think only of ourselves. We can be deceitful and greedy. We can hold grudges, feel hatred and harbor anger towards others. We can be filled with self-pity to the point it consumes us and makes us hate the world and those around us. We can choose not to forgive and live desolate, empty lives. We can also add fire to other peoples' wolves by reminding them of their problems and wrong doings and adding to their negative thoughts or opinions of others.
Or...
We could be a dog. We can share and extend our love to others. We can be kind and caring. We can be thankful for all the things we are blessed with and feel gratitude for even the smallest treasures. We can forgive and allow happiness to flow into our lives and the lives of those around us. We can also add a spark to the dog in others by encouraging them, helping them see the good in themselves and the world around them. We can say things to them that add to their sense of self-worth and well-being.
Each of us struggle with an ongoing battle between the dog and the wolf.
Which one will win?
The one you feed.
Above all... Feed the dog.
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