During the Christmas season we get together with our families and enjoy the fellowship of our relatives and dear friends. For many, this holiday is a time to pause and look inwards — to examine how we can improve our relations with loved ones, and lead happier, more fulfilling lives together. To that end, consider the message of a Native-American parable, the Tale of Two Wolves.

The Tale of Two Wolves
An old Cherokee chief 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, self-doubt, 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 and then asked his grandfather, “Which wolf will win?”

The old chief answered . . .

“The one you feed.”