Which wolf are you feeding?
Have you heard the story about the Cherokee Indian teaching? The one about the two wolves.
It's been doing the rounds on the internet and it's recounted in more than a handful of books.
It goes like this:
-------
An old Cherokee is 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.” He continued, “The other is good – he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The 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.”
-------
How do you feed the wolves?
With your words.
Which Wolf are you feeding?
What words are you using?
With heart,
Katrina
image from pinterest;
Do you knock back compliments?
I was sitting in the loungeroom with my boyfriend the other day, using him as a lounge chair actually, as I was sharing my idea for a new project. I was loosely hanging from his neck, relaxed and comfortably babbling about my idea and how it might look.
He paused and looked at me the way I look at him when he's in the kitchen (did I tell you he's a chef?) with adoration and curiosity. 'You're really clever, ' he said. I could feel my body clench as the words came from his lips, rejecting the statement before he had even finished it. I sent his pretty compliment sailing straight back into his face, 'Oh no, I'm not. Loads of people have done the same thing...'
I could hear the words I was saying like I was hearing someone else speak. Simultaneously I could feel the sadness in my heart. Not only was one part of me saying, 'I'm not clever', there was another deep part of myself claiming that, in fact, I was dumb. 'My business isn't making any money, I'm still a waitress, I can't be that clever...'
Immediately my heart felt heavy. My body felt heavy. I could have sat there and cried for an hour.
In an instant I had closed off, refusing a gift. Refusing his gift to me. The energy of the moment changed, as the air filled with my negativity and doubt.
Now, this was only two days ago. Even with all that I know, even with all the work I do on my words and my worth... I still allow that negative voice in my head to get carried away.
It was a window into the direct impact of my words on the world around and inside of me.
Every day I sit down with my mindercise booklet and work on my mind. I work on rebuilding those negative neural pathways in my brain with positive, strengthening ones.
It seems I have a lot of work to do.
I'm sure many of you can relate to this experience of self-doubt and negativity. Am I right?
Are you aware of the words you say and think and about yourself?
How they are impacting your action, reaction and response to the world and others??
Are you limiting yourself and your life and your opportunities???
Worth thinking about isn't it?
Psstt... I've got a FREE e-book that helps you take a look at your WORDS + WORTH. Get it here!
With heart,
Katrina
IMAGE FROM PINTEREST BY By Javys B.
Do you notice your words?
In my work as a journal muse – teaching women how to use writing as therapy – I've become accustomed to listening. In between bouts of writing and different activities, we often share our experiences. It is here that I became acutely aware of the correlation between people's words and their worlds.
Someone who is having a rough time, a down patch, will use words like can't, not, no, shouldn’t. Phrases like, 'I couldn't do that,' 'I couldn't believe they did that to me.' 'How could this be happening to me?' 'I couldn't do that.' 'They have a problem, not me.'
Those in a better headspace, who are doing well? Tend to use words like can, yes, sure, I'll do my best. Phrases like, 'I listened and really tried to understand.' 'I'm really happy that he's doing so well.' 'This is great!' 'I am really enjoying myself.' 'I learned a lot'.
Notice the difference?
Words create worlds. Of this I am certain.
Have you ever stopped to listen to your own words and reflect on how they are creating your world? Are you aware of the words you use on a regular basis?
Are they creative or destructive?
Positive or negative?
Get my free Words + Worth e-book to read about the impact words have on your self-worth and therefore, your entire life... PLUS how to change your words.
With heart,
Katrina