Recommit to Virtue: The Struggle Within
There is a story told of a Native American warrior in the sunset of his days, who is passing on life truths to his grandson. He begins, “A fight is going on inside of me. It’s a terrible fight between two mighty wolves: one with beautiful flowing black fur and the other radiant white.” He explains, “The shadowy one is Evil. He is vanity, wrath, envy, lust, cowardice, greed, gluttony, sloth, and fear. The glowing one is Good. He is humility, courage, cleanliness, obedience, industry, integrity, wisdom, gratitude and peace. Son, you have this same fight raging inside of you. So does everyone who has ever occupied this ground.”
The boy looked confused, and after a moment, asked, “Which wolf will win, Grandfather?” There is a story told of a Native American warrior in the sunset of his days, who is passing on life truths to his grandson. He begins, “A fight is going on inside of me. It’s a terrible fight between two mighty wolves: one with beautiful flowing black fur and the other radiant white.” He explains, “The shadowy one is Evil. He is vanity, wrath, envy, lust, cowardice, greed, gluttony, sloth, and fear. The glowing one is Good. He is humility, courage, cleanliness, obedience, industry, integrity, wisdom, gratitude and peace. Son, you have this same fight raging inside of you. So does everyone who has ever occupied this ground.” The boy looked confused, and after a moment, asked, “Which wolf will win, Grandfather?” The old warrior counseled, “The one you feed, son. The one you feed!”
It takes courage to resist the fears and pulls of the moment. We must commit to be humble, clean, obedient, and honest. Virtues are what healthy individuals, families and nations are built on. As we recommit our lives to those virtues that build strong character, we can change not only our own lives, but all whom we encounter in our journey. Like the old warrior states, we must choose to feed the virtues that lead to peace. We must fight the dark wolves that seek to ensnare us, and embrace the timeless virtues that can free us.
Originally posted on September 26, 2011 on www.childofvirtue.blogspot.com
