Going Up!

My commitment is to be an Elevator. I am here to elevate conversations, experiences, and people. If you’re with me, we’re going UP!

This story illustrates for me, the power of the mind, and how we keep ourselves living on the ground floor, when we’re invited to live in the penthouse!

An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life:

“A fight is going on inside me,” he said to the boy.

“It is a terrible fight and it is 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.”

He continued, “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 about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: “Which wolf will win?”

The old Cherokee simply replied, “The one you feed.”

The thing is…both wolves will always be there. The battle between them is never ending, as long as we are living in these human bodies. The wolves show up as emotions, behaviors, habits, and every other aspect of our life.

It’s so easy to feed the first wolf. He’s more demanding, and there is less work involved if we just feed him. We feed the anger, the blame, the accusations, the stories because it’s just…well…easier.

Feeding the second wolf requires a step up. To feed him, we have to let go. We have to release the past. We have to forgive, starting with ourselves, and then everyone else. We have to declare (and believe) that we are 100% in charge of our own experience here. We’re “the cause in the matter of our own lives”. That takes something!

Here’s a little test.

Right now, how do you feel? If the first thought was “I’m tired”, the first wolf spoke. But he doesn’t have to have the last word. How about “I’m tired, but I know if I get up and move my body I’ll feel better”. So do it. Second wolf is up 1-0!

Imagine going through the day like that? Hearing the first (and loudest) wolf, but pausing to let the second wolf make the call.

How might that look in our relationships? Take this scenario…my husband says something about (fill in the blank) and I immediately get edgy. The first wolf speaks up and my response is not going to be all love and light. So I pause and let the second wolf weigh in. The second wolf talks about how my husband always does the cooking and he’s a great hockey Dad. I soften, I feel gratitude creeping in, and my response is much better. Second wolf is up 2-0.

Will you play the “Two Wolves Game” with me? Please comment with how this technique helps you. Going UP!