Mahler’s Monday Morning Motivator # 68 – The Battle
Good Morning, Guys,
I heard this little story last weekend as part of a homily given by Fr. Dan, a priest at the church that I attend. I have no idea where he heard it but it got me thinking about the inner struggles that we all face and how we deal with them. Of course, I had to embellish the tale a bit to make it my own.
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The sun was low on the horizon and the sky was ablaze with the colors of evening. An old Cherokee Indian sat musing, looking into the sunset. His grandson sat there on the ground at his knee. Looking down at the child he thought about himself and his life, slowly setting like the sun and what he could say to this creature of dawn, this sunrise sitting there, eager to cast it’s glow upon the world. And so he touched the child and looked into his eyes and told this tale.
There are two wolves which battle within me; a black wolf and a white wolf. It is a fierce battle and rages constantly. The black wolf is proud and arrogant. He is cruel and deceitful, forcing his will on others. He is frightening to behold. He seeks to devour all that he encounters. His hunger knows no bounds. He is angry and malicious and bends others to his will. The white wolf is humble and kind. He is honest and shares with his brothers. He is not feared but has earned their respect and reverence. He brings joy and happiness. The will of his brothers is his will. He is filled with spirit and life, using his great strength to help others and to share his good fortune. These wolves are constantly at each other’s throats and the battle continues night and day. At first it seems like the black wolf is winning and he howls in triumph. But then, with a swift move the white wolf takes his stand. The battle rages with teeth bared and claws slashing.
The child was wide eyed as he listened to his grandfather and finally could not contain himself. “Who will win the battle, my grandfather?”
The old Indian paused and again looked down at the boy with his tired eyes.
“Who will win the battle?” the grandfather said.
“The one that I feed.”
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Have a great week.
In Fitness & Friendship,
Mahler
__________________ In Fitness & Friendship, MAHLER
______________________________ __________________________ There is no light at the end of the tunnel. You carry the light with you.
I like the responsibility over rights issue. Too many people blame the parents, the poor upbringing, the broken home.
People choose, and thats more than 90% of the outcome.
__________________
Regret for the things we did can be tempered by time; it is regret for the things we did not do that is inconsolable. -- Sidney J. Harris
Excellent - thank you John. It's been said that the devil (or should that be the Devil?) only has the power to suggest to us to do wrong, and no more. We are the ones who must heed his whispers or not.