Which Attitudes and Behaviors Are You Showing the World?

End-of-year is perfect for a little introspection, don’t you think? You know, for throwing the metaphorical mirror up in front of your face so you can see deep inside your own soul… then asking if you’re being who you really want to be… who you want others to see… if you’re giving your unique gift to the world… or not?

As illustration, let me share one of my favorite, most thought-provoking stories. It’s a Cherokee Legend called “Two Wolves”:

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle going on inside himself. He said, “My son, it’s a terrible fight and it’s between two wolves. One is evil. He is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. The other is good. He is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you, and inside every other person, too.” The grandson thought for a minute and then asked his grandfather, “Which wolf will win?” The old Cherokee simply replied, “The one you feed.” 

Wow, does that cut to the chase, or what?

Question For You:  Which wolf have you been feeding lately? (You had to know that was coming.) Truth is, if we’re really honest with the person in the mirror, some days we feed the good wolf, some days the bad. Sometimes we feed both in the same day, for different reasons, five minutes apart.

Actions For You: With a new year a few days away and the holiday spirit in your heart, wouldn’t now be a good time to self-pledge to improve your attitudes and behaviors. I mean the kind other people can actually SEE, not just the ones we pretend we’re living. Don’t fake it, you’re only kidding yourself. Sit down and write out a firm commitment to change. And make a long list of specific visible behaviors you’ll live by — that match the good wolf’s ‘adjectives’ above, say one or more promises for each — like, “I pledge to show kindness by…” and “I pledge to be empathetic to others by…” and so on. Or maybe you’ve hit a rough patch with someone close, and you prefer a pledge directed to him or her. That works too. Read them every morning, before email and the radio. Just don’t let the bad wolf take you down. People you love might drown too.    

Power Thought: “The greatest conflicts are not between two people, but between one person and himself.”  Garth Brooks, award-winning singer and song writer.

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