At a spiritual retreat, I heard this story: An old man told his grandson, “My son, there is an endless battle that goes on inside all of us. It is between two wolves. One wolf is bad – he is anger, envy, regret, greed, arrogance, resentment, lies, superiority and ego. The other is good – he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.”
The grandson thought about it and then asked his grandfather, “Which wolf will win?”
The old man answered, “The one you feed.”
My reflection: When my son was in active addiction, the bad wolf inside me grew. I fed him heaping helpings of anger, sadness, regrets, and resentments. Addiction makes it easy for us to stoke the worst parts of ourselves.
Today’s Promise to consider: Negative feelings help the bad wolf to grow fat and mock us with his defiance and rage. It took me fourteen years at addiction’s feet to learn that only through kindness, prayer, and love could I fortify myself and allow the good wolf to become strong.
This story makes the heart soften and relax, Libby, thank you xo
Great words – soften and relax. God bless you. xoxo
Amen! Ty for your revelations, they speak to me❤
Thank you, Patty. Your message makes me happy, and I’m grateful. xoxo
Thanks for that memorable story.
Thanks, Robin. I heard this story at a retreat I just attended. It was memorable for me, too. xo
i have seen a wolf and I gave food and water and now I friends with it (good wolf)
Good story tho
All wolves are good!
Thanks for sharing. I heard this story on numerious occasions and read it on books but the way you have connected to your life experience make it even more powerful than my previous encounters. Great Example.
Thanks. I wish I had learned this lesson earlier. I join you in feeding the good wolf.