In the ancient wisdom of Cherokee legend, a powerful parable speaks to the eternal struggle between darkness and light, despair and hope. It goes like this: “There are two wolves [in each of us], and they are always fighting. One is darkness and despair, and the other is light and hope.
Which wolf wins?
The one you feed.“
This simple yet profound parable encapsulates a universal truth about the power of perception and the choices we make in our lives. It reminds us that there exists a constant battle between negative and positive forces within each of us—the darkness of despair and the light of hope. The battle’s outcome ultimately depends on which wolf we choose to nourish and feed.
In the face of adversity and challenges, it is easy to succumb to the darkness of despair—to dwell on our fears, doubts, and uncertainties. But dwelling on negativity only feeds the wolf of darkness, allowing it to grow stronger and more dominant in our lives.
On the other hand, when we choose to focus on the light of hope—to cultivate optimism, resilience, and faith—we nourish the wolf of hope, empowering it to triumph over darkness. By feeding the wolf of hope, we embrace the possibility of a brighter future filled with possibilities, opportunities, and blessings.
But the choice is ours to make. We have the power to choose which wolf to feed—to embrace despair or embrace hope, to dwell on negativity or focus on positivity. Our perception shapes our reality, and by choosing hope over despair, we can transform our lives and the world around us.
So, how might we go about finding light and hope? What practices and attitudes can nurture a positive and resilient mindset? Here are some of my thoughts on what has worked for me.
Cultivate gratitude
Gratitude is like a beacon of light that illuminates on the darkest days. Work to cultivate a daily gratitude practice by reflecting on what you are thankful for, no matter how small. This practice shifts your focus from what is lacking to what is abundant in your life. It will rewire your brain to start looking for the small and the big things in your life that bring you joy, hope and appreciation.
Nurture positive relationships
Surrounding oneself with supportive and uplifting individuals can provide warmth and encouragement, even during difficulties. Work on nurturing positive relationships with friends, family, and colleagues who uplift and inspire you. Build these connections daily or weekly. Do not wait until there is a reason or an occasion. Invest in those you care about. Doing this fosters a sense of connection and hope.
Practice self-compassion
Self-compassion is like a gentle light that guides us through self-doubt and criticism. Work to treat yourself with kindness and understanding, especially during challenging times. By practising self-compassion, you can cultivate inner strength and resilience. It is simple: talk to yourself as if you are talking to a vulnerable 4-year-old child who is feeling down about something and see what it does for you.
Focus on solutions
Getting into a blame game or finding external reasons for something happening is easy. So, work on putting your energy into finding solutions rather than dwelling on problems or blame. See challenges as temporary obstacles that can be overcome with creativity, resourcefulness, and perseverance. By maintaining a solution-focused mindset, you gain control and feed your inner light to illuminate the path forward.
Embrace mindfulness
Mindfulness is the practice of being fully present in the moment – without judgment or attachment. It is a lovely way to reconnect with yourself and your thoughts. Unlike meditation, mindfulness can be practised in anything you do. You do not have to be “still” to be mindful. By staying grounded in the present moment, you can let go of worries about the past or future and find hope and inspiration in the here and now. Work on embracing mindfulness as a way to cultivate inner peace and clarity.
Serve others
Acts of kindness and service can brighten both the recipient’s and the giver’s day. Look for opportunities to serve others through volunteering, random acts of kindness, or simply offering a listening ear. By focusing on serving others, we learn to get out of our ego-centric perspective, even briefly. It helps us reframe and brings us back to gratitude and the ability to be fortunate enough to serve others.
So, let us remember the wisdom of the Cherokee legend and let us choose to feed the wolf of hope—to nourish it with positivity, gratitude, and optimism. And in doing so, let us illuminate the path forward, guiding ourselves and others towards a future filled with light, love, and hope.
And as always, if you invest in yourself, the rewards will be unfathomable.
Until next time.
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