Which Wolf Are You Feeding?

Perhaps you have seen the story being passed around on the Internet that goes something like this: A Native American father is speaking with his young son, telling him how there are within him two wolves who are fighting with each other. One is angry, vindictive, vicious and mean. The other is loving, patient, caring and peaceful. When the young son asks which one will prevail, the wise father replies: "Whichever one you feed."

As I was driving to work after lunch yesterday, there was a discussion on public radio. Those involved were pondering whether the recent rash of crimes against the Holocaust Museum, the abortion doctor killing in Kansas and other so-called "hate crimes" were being fueled by the inflammatory rhetoric of some far-right spokesmen and pundits. They were also considering whether the present historical situation with our economic crisis, a black president, the return of so many war-damaged veterans and the general insecurity of our age were feeding into this violent reaction within our society.

I don't have the definite answers to those particular questions. However, I am struck by the insight of the wise Native American referred to above. The same wisdom was expressed by St Paul in his letter to the Galatians: "Make no mistake about it, no one makes a fool of God! A man will reap only what he sows" (6:7). Those who focus on negativism, criticism, pessimism and cynicism can only bring forth a harvest that befits the seed they are watering. Their lives cannot bring forth the fruit of the Spirit listed in that same letter to the Galatians: "Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faith, mildness and chastity" (5:22-23).

As I tried to unravel in an earlier post, life is too short for me to expend my energies on things that produce only negative outcomes. Negative energy and negative thinking, which lead to negative actions, are not life-giving for me. They seem to be "feeding the wrong wolf", to pursue the imagery from above. Therefore, I refuse to read or pass on all those emails that tear down public personalities, whether they are political, religious, or social. I try to ask myself: "What of a positive nature does this add to our world? How is this going to help someone else live a better life?" When engaged in a conversation with someone else, and the direction turns negative and critical of another person, I try to change the focus or the topic to something more pleasant. Sometimes I am more successful than others.

Which wolf are you feeding in your day-to-day life? Which wolf do you want to take over your world? The world at large?