Wolves

Hey guys! Happy Monday!

The past few weeks for me have been one for the books. I quit my job (due to circumstances beyond my control), my college is going onto the 3rd week of a strike aka NO classes for what seems like an eternity , and my boyfriend is talking about returning home (to Ireland) to pursue further education. Does it seem like my life is in shambles? Maybe. Should I be stressed? Probably. But I’m not. At least, trying not to be.

Let me tell you why. Yesterday at Yoga class, the teacher told us a story that hit me right in the feels. In short, the story is between a Cherokee Grandfather teaching his young grandson about life. He tells his grandson there are two wolves within every person. The first wolf represents evil; anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. The second wolf on the other hand, represents good; joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, truth, compassion and faith. These two wolves are at constant battle with each other. When the grandson asks the grandfather who wins the battle, the grandfather simply replies, “whichever one you feed.” BOOM. Life changing right? It seems like such a simple concept, but a hard one to practice.

I’ve been having a hard time lately coming to terms that the things around me which I know, and are familiar to me, are changing, or even scarier: about to change. And the worst part? I can’t do anything about it. This is where the story about the wolves comes into play. Sometimes I feel as though self-pity, envy, and sorrow are consuming me; but this is because I am feeding it. And guess what guys! We can’t let the evil wolf win. We can’t live our lives miserable and unhappy and feeling as though the world owes us something. Today I choose to feed the good wolf, and be grateful for everything that I have. That I am fortunate to be able to pursue an education, and not focus on the negative aspect of my current situation. That I have someone who loves me, and not to dwell on the things that I can’t change. Instead, I have to feed the good wolf and celebrate love, regardless of where that takes us as individuals and as a couple.

I know what you’re thinking; enough with the depressing post! I should probably mention there are upsides to every (stressful) factor that I stated above; I have found a new job, the strike eventually has to end, and I know my boyfriend and I will make long distance work (again). After all, following your dreams and wanting to better yourself with an education is probably one of the best things a person can do for themselves. Another plus? I get to visit Ireland again (I should really write a blog about my travels) and spend time with my boyfriend’s family and friends. Who knows; maybe I’ll find myself living there one day. It’s so easy to get caught up in the negative aspects of your situation that its sometimes hard to clear the foggy glasses we are wearing and open our eyes to the positives that the negatives present.

Anyways, I just wanted to share with you the story that is changing my outlook on my current (shitty) situation. I hope it helps some of you with whatever you’re going through at the moment, and provides you with some peace. And remember; always choose to feed the good wolf. You deserve to be happy and at peace with yourself.

Jenna