Thursday Thoughts ~ August 23

~~ Thursday Thoughts ~~

An old Cherokee was teaching his grandson about life. "A fight is going on inside me," he said to the boy. "It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One is evil - he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority and ego.

"The other is good - he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith. This same fight is going on inside you - and inside every other person too."

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf will win?"

The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."

(from "Food For Thought" - http://www.msdssearch.com/FoodForThought.htm#24%20Golden%20Hours)



How many times have you fed the Wrong Wolf today?

How many harsh words spoken in anger? How often do we feel envious of the other mothers who seem to have it 'all together'? Or the times that we allow our feelings of guilt or resentment to dictate how we treat the people around us?

Let's look at the 'nice' wolf for a moment.

Joy. Peace. Love. Hope. Serenity. Humility. Kindness. Benevolence. Empathy. Generosity. Truth. Compassion. Faith.

What an amazing legacy this would leave. Would others use those words to describe you?

What can you do to feed the Right Wolf today?

Joy ~ It's an absolutely glorious day where I am. Spring is right around the corner, the blossom trees are in the middle of their short run, the sun is shining and life is grand. It's a happy kind of day :)

Peace ~ On a day like today, it is easy to calm my spirit, LOL. Several times today, when I've caught myself beginning to stress about a deadline long past, I've reminded myself that everything will work out.

Love ~ I just made my husband some cinnamon toast and a hot cup of coffee for lunch. I know, it's usually breakfast food, LOL - but its what he wanted!

Hope ~ I have hope for a lot of things. I hope that the magic Procrastination Fairy kicks the bucket, for a start!

Serenity ~ This ties in with Peace. "Serenity" is my 'stop' word. Don't have one of those? It's a word for one of those days where everything is going wrong. The kids are acting up, the dishwasher is spewing water all over the kitchen floor and you found a dead lizard in one of your sons' pockets AFTER it had been through the wash. You say the word to yourself over and over (or in my case, the entire Serenity Prayer!) until you no longer feel like screaming. The grown-ups version of 'counting to ten' if you like.

Humility ~ Nobody is 'entitled' to good food, good health and a roof over their heads because of who they are or what they have done with their lives. At least not how we percieve 'entitlement' in the western world. So be thankful that you've been blessed in whatever area you're filled to overflowing in.

Kindness ~ If you see someone struggling with their groceries, help them. Stay behind to help with morning reading activities at your kids' school, just because you can see the teacher is a little frazzled today. Have a cold drink (or a hot coffee :) ready for the man of the house to walk in to when he gets home from work today. And don't expect anything back in return.

Benevolence ~ Again, closely tied with Kindness. Be charitable. Not just with the wider community but with your own families. Throw in an extra buck with this week's allowance - just because.

Empathy ~ "There but for the grace of God, go I". Even if you hold no religious beliefs, it is easy to see that the tide could be turned in a heartbeat. I see situations all around me, every day, that my ability to be empathetic opens my eyes to. There's a family at my youngest two's school who has just learned their youngest son (aged 4) has a brain tumour. Another couple we know, expecting their fourth child, is having a hard time with the pregnancy (their second and third children were both born at around twenty-SIX weeks gestation and pregnancy is a dangerous thing for them). It's hard not to then look at my own kids, who are rarely sick, and not be thankful. But it also gives me insight into how I can help those who are struggling around me.

Generosity ~ Don't just give a little. Give a LOT. A lot of your time. A lot of what you know they need. A stressed-out Dad caring for three sons while going back and forth between hospital and home will appreciate a meal from your freezer stash, but don't stop there. Give enough meals for a whole week. And desserts. What you give out, will come back to you in turn :)

Truth ~ Be honest with everything. Even when all around you are stepping over the line (and getting away with it), be the bigger person. Do not lie. Give back change at the register if the girl mis-counts. If someone asks your opinion on something that you do not like, enjoy the freedom of being truthful. But never use your truthful opinion to be condescending or malicious. You might hate that haircut/dress/situation, but Tact goes hand in hand with honesty. Use it!

Compassion ~ This is often described as 'sacrificial love'. Would you give up your seat on the bus knowing you'd be standing, cramped, sweaty and thrust into everyone else's personal space? Would you give up your one free afternoon in two months to attend to a last minute errand your husband has asked you to do? Would you go out of your way to help someone? Really?

Faith ~ This can be spiritual faith or it can mean faith on another level. I have faith that no matter what, my marriage will remain strong though couples around us are dropping like flies. I have faith that despite Master J's many problems, that life will right itself in due time. I have faith that after many, many years, a new couch might actually be an option this year! LOL.

Cheers,
Lizzie