The world is doing some pretty crazy things right now. Between Brussels, Nigeria, and the current political situation and actions in the US, I often feel dumbfounded, angry, and deeply saddened.
This is to say nothing of the recent GoFundMe campaigns from friends who are raising money for their baby girl who needs major heart surgery, a friend from high school who is dying, leaving his 2-year-old son behind, and another friend’s family’s dog who will die without immediate surgery. It’s days like these, when I’m left asking, “What is going on in the world?”
It can feel easy to give up or zone out, or we can make a choice. A choice to see the good. A choice to do good. A choice to be the good we wish to see in the world.
*One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, “My son, the battle is between 2 “wolves” inside us all.
One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.
The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith.”
The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: “Which wolf wins?”
The old Cherokee simply replied, “The one you feed.”
Which do you choose to feed? There’s always (minimum) two sides to every story, so although all of what I mentioned above has a demoralizing component, there’s also so much good. People chose to take action.
People are speaking up and out for freedom. Prayers around the world and aid are being sent to Belgium and Nigeria. People have made a choice to come together and raise the money needed for my friend’s daughter’s surgery. The dog is on its way to receiving the support their family needs. My friend from high school’s wife is able to take months off work to spend the remaining time with him and his 2-year-old in his final moments of life.
And the best part is? You get to choose every single day. Not just for the world, but for you in your world. Love or Fear? Hate or Kindness? Compassion or Bigotry? There is love. There is hope. There is change.
Look for what unites us rather than divides us.
I hope you choose to feed the love wolf daily, for the stronger she grows, the better we are as people and the brighter our world becomes.
*Stories origins are debated as to whether it’s a Native American legend, but still a great story!*
Thank you for being amazing XOXOXOXO