Cherokee Ways

It’s refreshing to have elders show the way for their family and friends. Here is a story I received which teaches us much about passing on wisdom:

“An elderly Cherokee man was teaching his grandchildren about life. He said to them: ‘A fight is going on inside me; it is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One wolf is fear, anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride,superiority and ego. The other wolf is joy, peace, love, hope, sharing, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, friendship, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you and inside every other person, too.’

They thought about it for a minute and then one child asks his grandfather, ‘Which wolf will win?’

The old Cherokee replied, ‘ The one you feed.’ “

Reflect each evening which wolf you fed that day - at work, at home, in the car or subway, at the store, waiting in line, tweeting, messaging, e-mailing or on the phone; and rate yourself on a self-made scale. Keep notes to review periodically. Becoming compassionate, forgiving, patient and not engaging, especially when the ego wants to get the better of a situation or exchange with someone, yields surprising results and rewards.