This story is said to be an ancient Cherokee legend about an elderly Brave who tells his grandson about life. “Son,” he says, “Within all of us there is a battle of two wolves. One is evil, anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, guilt, self-pity, resentment, and ego.” The Brave continues, “The other wolf is good. He is joy, peace, love, kindness, empathy, benevolence, altruism, generosity, compassion, and truth. This same battle is going on within you and every person,” explains the Brave. The grandson is quiet. Thinking about his grandfather’s words, he then asks, “Grandfather, which wolf will win?” The wise leader says, “The one you feed.”
I recently returned from my own personal retreat, which was a Deep Dive with my own coach and 10 extraordinary leaders. We visited a wolf sanctuary in the mountains of the Angeles National Forest known as the Wolf Connection where we spent hours experiencing and observing rescued wolves in their natural ecosystem. I took away four powerful lessons:
- Wolves are ALWAYS okay with who they are.
- Wolves step back from the pack when they need to.
- Wolves understand they are part of a greater ecosystem.
- When one wolf sings, they all sing in harmony.
Who Do We Feed?
Are we committed to our limitations and the stories we write from the ego?
OR
Can we accept who we are – humans who are fully resourced, creative, and working to be our best version?
Are we committed to sprinting and achieving our way to the top?
OR
Can we step back to care for ourselves, to slow down, to rest, observe and listen to what we truly need?
Do we come from a place of envy, greed, or self-absorption?
OR
Do we recognize we are part of a greater ecosystem where love, generosity, and compassion live in abundance?
Who Is Your Pack?
As humans, we often strive to up-level our game, our business, our toys, and/or our lifestyles. What would it look like to simply “level” – to be okay with who we are in this moment, recognizing our amazing accomplishments which brought us here. Too often I find myself sprinting for the next peak without stepping back, noticing, celebrating, and being okay with exactly where I am in the moment. When I have been able to pause and reflect, I find myself acknowledging the ecosystem which has supported me all along and includes my friends, family, colleagues, and clients. I am part of an amazing network of humans deeply committed to each other, to the planet, and to our communities. In concert with the pack, we have accomplished extraordinary things!
I encourage you to take a step back and identify your pack. Understand that you, and we, are all part of the greater ecosystem. Work to be okay with who you are! If you struggle with this, reach out to your pack. They know you, see you, and accept you. They will sing with you. If you want a trusted advisor to support your journey, let’s connect.