Well, here we go again: It’s New Year’s Day, and millions of people have resolved to be better—and do better—in the year ahead.
I’m a big supporter of self-improvement. So if you’ve decided to lose weight or quit smoking or cut down on your drinking, I highly recommend zenhabits.com.
I’m also a big believer in the power of making small changes. Every thought and action either moves us closer to our best selves, or farther away.
In fact, I believe that our thoughts can help shape our future. What we think about, we become. And with that in mind, I offer this story (courtesy of my friend Norine):
One evening a Cherokee Elder told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people.
He said: “My son, the battle is between two wolves inside us all. One is good: It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, kindness, empathy, generosity, compassion, faith and truth. The other is evil: It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, resentment, superiority, arrogance, self-pity, and lies.”
The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, “Which wolf wins?”
The elder simply replied: “The one you feed.”
May 2012 bring you health, happiness, and hope.
HeideBlog 
Hope I will be wise enough to feed the good one, my friend. Thank you for this gem! Buon anno, amica lontana, may it be filled with joy and laughter!
Ma, chiaro che you will be sufficientemente saggi to feed il buon lupo! (Mi scuzi per mio Italianglish …). I’m glad you liked the story; i found it very wise as well. Sometimes the simplest lessons are the best, don’t you think? Anyway … buon anno a te anche, cara amica. I hope it’s your happiest yet. xo
Thank you for sharing this with us. It’s just what I needed. I have been thinking about all this for several days, trying to formulate some plan and failing to come to any firm conclusions, but this story has all the essentials in a nutshell. I will try to remember it as the year gets underway. xx
Although some might find the story a little hokey, I agree with you that it boils down all of the essentials to a single, memorable lesson. Hope your year is off to a good start, db. I greatly look forward to another year of sharing hearty laughs with you. (I’m still sniggering at the bit about my poor maidenhead … *SNORT!*)
Ahh, I’d forgotten that one! 🙂
That is definitely the wolf to feed.
Happy New Year, H!
Happy New Year, Marcia! Hope it’s full of lots of travel and wonderful adventures. 🙂
What a great story/lesson. I too value the small steps that make up every trip–and feedlig the good wolf will help each of us keep on the trek. Happy New Year–and thanks for sharing.
Happy New Year to you, too, Patti! Hope it’s off to a wonderful start for you … and thanks (as always!) for your kind comment. Cheers!
He who feeds wolves, dances a lot. My New Year’s resolution is not to make any pointless resolutions. So far so good 😉
Hey, don’t knock dancing with wolves — it’s excellent exercise! And congratulations for coming up with a New Year’s resolution you can both break and keep at the same time. Brilliant! Nice to have you back, by the way. Hope your holidays were lovely. I look forward to hearing the highlights in your blog, perhaps?
I’m still in the Philippines (and will be for another week). Just grabbing a few minutes of cybertime where I can. Highlights? Your post prior to this one was right on the money, unfortunately. But this one we only found out about when we were picked up from he airport (and taken straight to the hospital). Still, it’s all relative (definitely no pun intended) and when the dust settles I’m sure that there will be moments that stand out. Just don’t know at this stage if they will be worth sharing. A toute a l’heure.
Oh, no! What a terrible way to start your holiday! Hope you’re all OK now. Please drop me a note on Facebook if you have the time. And please have a great last week in Manila as well …
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU!
… and right back at ya! Hope it’s your happiest yet. 🙂