While in the spirit of New Years and the hype of resolutions, I decided to focus instead on storytelling. Through a conversation with a friend of mine about attracting what you want and truly desire, he shared this Cherokee Legend with me.
One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people.
He said, “My son, the battle is between two 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.”
Not only are we the food we eat and the air we breathe, but also our thoughts that reside in our brain and the feelings inside our hearts. We are what we think. Life is about the attitude you choose to have and the perception and belief that as individuals, we choose to think and feel the way that creates our actual reality. Each of our perceived realities are moments that compile into seconds, minutes, days, years, and lifetimes.
Resolutions don’t make sense to me so I don’t do them. I did choose two things I am trying to manifest in my life. I wrote them down on paper and put them in my lavender pillow my friend made me. There they will reside for me to dream upon, think about, believe, and act upon.
No relationship, amount of career success, money, marital status, dream home, or motherhood will bring me to my destination. Not because I am greedy or because I always want more, but because there is no destination. In my life, I have truly realized that I will never get “there.” There is no there. The only end is when I will die, and then folks… it is really over. The goals and dreams that stand between living and dying are just the milestones that mark the journey.
Until we get there, then, it is truly about finding the little and big things that make us fulfilled, happy, and bring meaning to life. So we can all go around trying to lose weight, quit smoking, get married, or save more money, but perhaps equally as important is feeding the Good Wolf within each of us by doing the simple things. Tell the people you love that you love them. Do the right thing. Open your eyes to the beauty that surrounds each of us, not just on Christmas or the first snow, but the dreary cloudy days too. Nourish yourself with good food, best friends, and joy. Forgive yourself.
If you are interested in a more traditional type of resolution, answering the following questions might be helpful: Wondering if a new year means a new you? Interesting in creating a vision board for 2013? Considering what eating choices you can make to have a better relationship with food?
True beauty surrounds us all
Keep the Earth below your feet and fill your heart with love and peace.
