4/18/11

Sometimes Wolves DON'T eat the grandma.


I spent an amazing weekend with some kind and generous friends.

While we did spend time laughing, writing, walking, EATING, yoga-ing and singing, MUCH of it was spent talking.

I came away with some amazing thoughts, but this is one I am holding close to my heart. It is a story that reminds me that one must always try to walk toward the good.

An old Grandfather said to his grandson, who came to him with anger at a friend who had done him an injustice, "Let me tell you a story. I too, at times, have felt a great hate for those that have taken so much, with no sorrow for what they do. But hate wears you down, and does not hurt your enemy. It is like taking poison and wishing your enemy would die.

"I have struggled with these feelings many times," he continued. "It is as if there are two wolves inside me. One is good and does no harm. He lives in harmony with all around him, and does not take offense when no offense was intended. He will only fight when it is right to do so, and in the right way.

"But the other wolf, ah! He is full of anger. The littlest thing will set him into a fit of temper. He fights everyone, all the time, for no reason. He cannot think because his anger and hate are so great. It is helpless anger, for his anger will change nothing.

"Sometimes, it is hard to live with these two wolves inside me, for both of them try to dominate my spirit."

The boy looked intently into his Grandfather's eyes and asked, "Which one wins, Grandfather?"

The Grandfather smiled and quietly said, "The one I feed."




(Feed the good, people. Feed. The Good. )

33 comments:

Unknown said...

No, I'm not stalking, I just happened to be looking over your site trying to catch up with Frank's antics when this popped up! :-)
Great story- wish more people would realize that all they have to do is feed the good. Yeah, some have to dig to find that good to feed, but worth a shot!
Glad to hear you had a good weekend and hope things are looking up.
Hang in there chic!

jessica said...

it's like a retreat that came to you. awesome.

Vodka Mom said...

and the fact that we had INCREDIBLE turbulence on the plane for last 20 minutes and those around me were BARFING in their bags did NOT ruin my trip.


sweet jesus it was rough. God just wanted to mess with me.

Momo Fali said...

Oh, THIS was good. I like it. I don't like the comment about the people barfing all around you, but the post? I like.

mama to j and bean said...

This is a great story and good reminder to always, always focus on the good :)

Rima said...

So glad you had an awesome weekend! You deserve it.

I liked the wolf story a lot. Came at a good time for me, too.

Suzy said...

I would like to point out the fact that this post has the word "feed" in it.

As you were.

Mrs. E said...

Love it! And worth remembering. I'm feeding my chocolate and wine loving wolf! ???

Sharon Rose said...

It was wonderful that you were a guest in our home. I am so glad you came to Indy!

Mellodee said...

Sounds like it was good friends, good times, good stories, good thoughts!

Sorry about the turbulence tho....I "know" turbulence is not dangerous, at least that's what people tell me, nevertheless it still terrifies me!

Lynn MacDonald said...

Wow...just taught me a valuable lesson! Thanks for that! I'll probably forget it by tomorrow though.

Anne said...

Feed.the.Good. Will chocolate chip cookies work? Love this ...

Unknown said...

Wow...love it!

Anna Whiston-Donaldson said...

Love this, Vodka Mom. So very, very true.

None said...

Today is a day of beautiful quotes that are so positive.

Glad you had an awesome, soul refreshing weekend!

Captain Dumbass said...

I got distracted by the barfing above. Yeck.

J.J. in L.A. said...

I read this a long time ago, and totally agree!

I carried a LOT of hatred around (after a relative was murdered), til someone said, "You can hate what the person did without hating the person." It was like a boulder was lifted off my shoulders and I felt a thousand pounds lighter.

Haha! My WV is: anuffi

Ash said...

Every once in a while, I need to be reminded of this. It'll help me change my perspective of life.

Queen Mahin said...

Thank you, I'm trying.

Gigi said...

Sounds like you had a restorative weekend. Good!

The wolf story is true. Sometimes it's hard to feed that good one though because the other one can get so loud.

teachermum said...

I have heard this story before at a conference I went to a year ago and forgot all about it. Thanks for reminding me. I NEED to use it.

Unknown said...

How perfect. I will treasure this story by re-telling it when the need arises. And by feeding the good.

Sometimes my good likes a handful of Capt Crunch over Breyers strawberry ice cream. :)

Jen said...

Thank you for sharing this story. I really needed to read it this morning.

Lili said...

That is beautiful :)

Di said...

So, so true. Thank you so very much for this. Peace and happiness does come - I promise you, often when you least expect it or even know that it's right under your nose. Di x

Lynn said...

Feeding the good here. Feeding the good.

Gayle said...

Hello! That's what I've been telling myself. Trying to kill the angry beast and be a swan. Or something like that.

Glad you got to get what you got from your get out. :)

Anonymous said...

I love this story and can relate to it... Must remember the moral of it at all times...

Donna B. said...

I have seen this one before...and it is one I keep in a folder of "keepers'. This is my first time here...(I think), I found you via Jinsky and Braja...I like what I read...so I will follow and be back for more...

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