Monday Mindfulness Minute: Which Wolf Are you Feeding?

“I recall hearing the following conversation after the events of 9/11 in New York City. A grandfather was talking to his grandson, telling him, “I have two wolves barking inside of me. The first wolf is filled with anger, hatred, bitterness, and mostly revenge. The second wolf inside of me is filled with love, kindness, compassion, and mostly forgiveness.” “Which wolf do you think will win?” the young boy inquired. The grandfather responded, “Whichever one I feed.” (Power of Intention p. 137)

Deciding which wolf to feed is analogous to deciding how to look at different situations. We feed the wolves with our attention and energy. Are we going to feed the small perspective that is based on instant judgment, or are we willing to pause and consider other, kinder possibilities?

It turns out that the more we're able to delay our instant judgment and instead consider other "whys" for someone's action, the more considerate of others, and ourselves, we become. Consider the following consider-it scale:

With each “why,” we zoom out just a bit more as kindness and understanding (which ironically turns out to be the undoing of our previous "understanding" - read assumption) are born in that widening of the frame.  

We spend so much time looking for wisdom, yet it might be closer than we think. Just remember, the more whys you ask, the wiser you become.

Feed the considerate wolf this week!