Happy New Year!
Astrologers keep telling us that big changes are coming by mid-February—though I’m not sure we can wait that long. Personally, I hope they’re right, because I’m more than ready to “Feed the Good Wolf”!
I don’t know about you, but part of me wants to do something to stop the insanity unfolding here in the good ol’ USA. And when I imagine doing something, it’s not always pretty—it can feel subversive or even insidious. Then I catch myself and think, That’s not who I am.
And yet, lurking beneath my angel-like presence is a fierce voice whispering, “The only way to stop this is to take action.” And it’s not talking about nice action.
The other part of me says: Organize love. Send peace and forgiveness to our leaders. Trust that they might see the light and change.
This inner battle always brings me back to an old story:
An old woman said to her grandson, “I have two wolves inside me. One wolf is greedy, angry, jealous, cruel, untrustworthy, arrogant, and cowardly. The other wolf is loving, brave, honest, kind, peaceful, modest, and happy.
These two wolves are fighting inside me every day. They are also fighting inside you—and inside everyone.”
The boy asked, “Which wolf will win?”
The old woman smiled and said, “The one that you feed.”
You may have heard this story in different forms. Some attribute it to the Cherokee, though it appears to have been first written and shared by Billy Graham. Wherever it originated, it speaks a simple truth about the human experience.
When we wrestle with right and wrong, there’s often a conversation between logic and emotion—mind and heart. The darker part of us wants to fight back. The lighter part urges us to pray, send love, forgive, and trust that something can shift.
Intellectually, I know that fighting anger with anger does not create peace.
Still…it’s really hard right now to stay calm and loving.
So my intention is to feed the good wolf.
I invite us all—imperfectly, humanly—to send love and light to our fellow beings during this time of deep division. And forgiveness too, if you can. I know that’s a big ask. Truly. I’m right there with you in the struggle.
I wrestle daily with which wolf to feed.
Today, the light/good wolf is winning.
With love and infinite blessings for peace,
BakeR
P.S. Yes, I know this isn’t the “normal” Two Wolves story. There are a bunch of versions floating around—this is the one I’m feeding today.
