This Week's BOLD idea:
Feeding Our Thoughts
Hello, BOLD Community!
As promised, a 30-second story for the holiday weekend. It’s one that’s been passed down for generations and is often attributed to Native American tradition. I find myself returning to it again and again. It’s simple enough to remember, yet profound enough that applying it can lead to life-changing results.
The Tale of Two Wolves
There’s a story about an old Cherokee teaching his grandson about life. He tells the boy that two wolves are fighting inside him. One represents everything bad, and the other, everything good.
The grandfather explains that the bad wolf stands for anger, envy, greed, arrogance, resentment, lies, ego, and self-pity.
The good wolf represents joy, peace, love, humility, kindness, empathy, generosity, truth, and compassion.
He tells his grandson that these two wolves represent the inner battles we all face every day.
The grandson thinks for a moment and asks, “Which wolf will win?”
The grandfather replies, “The one you feed.”
This story reminds me of one of my favorite lines from Atomic Habits by James Clear:
“Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become.”
In the same way, every thought we entertain, every belief we hold onto, and every story we tell ourselves is a vote for the kind of life we’re shaping.
Every thought feeds a story.
What narrative are you shaping with your thoughts and actions?
Thank you for reading and have a wonderful weekend!
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The BOLD Reading List
Great books. Bold ideas. 3 Books to Help You "Feed the Good Wolf"
The Untethered Soul by Michael Singer – This book teaches us that are not our thoughts, but the observer of them. Choosing which thoughts to engage with is the essence of feeding the "good wolf" and reclaiming inner peace. There’s also a guided journal companion which allows you to relate what you’ve learned.
Atomic Habits by James Clear – Small, consistent actions compound over time to shape who we become. Every habit is a quiet vote for the kind of wolf we are feeding, and by aligning our actions with our values, we strengthen the identity of our "good wolf" one choice at a time.
The War of Art by Steven Pressfield – Framing resistance as the inner "bad wolf,” the voice of fear, doubt, and procrastination that keeps us from doing our most meaningful work. Feeding the "good wolf" means showing up with discipline, courage, and creative integrity, even when every excuse tells you not to.
Questions?
I love hearing from the BOLD community! If you've got something on your mind, have questions you'd like me to answer, or would just like to say 'hi,' please drop me a line!
Thank you for reading!
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