What Thoughts Are You Feeding?

“Where attention goes, energy flows.”  Variations of this quote credited to many

I enjoy listening to podcasts when I exercise, and one that is regularly on my playlist is called "The One You Feed".  Each episode starts with the host, Eric Zimmer, reading a parable and asking the guest what it means to them in life and in the work that they do.  The parable, which has many circulating versions, goes something like this:

A grandparent is talking with their grandchild.  The grandparent says, “In life, there are two wolves inside of us which are always at battle. One is a good wolf which represents things like kindness, bravery, and love.  The other is a bad wolf which represents things like greed, hatred, and fear”.

The grandchild stops and thinks about it for a second then then asks, “Which one wins.” 

The grandparent replies, “The one you feed.”

What has struck me about the resulting conversation is how many different and rich interpretations emerge from this simple story from the guests, who include scientists, authors, researchers, teachers, thought leaders, and public figures.  What has also impressed me is how my own interpretations (pleural) of it have evolved over time as I have reflected on their answers and my own life journey. 

One thing the story regularly reminds me of is how easy it is for my thoughts to “go negative” regarding certain topics, circumstances, or people, particularly when I’m experiencing increased stress and/or haven’t been practicing self-care, and how, without conscious effort to change that, it can become an automatic “reflex.”  Indeed, neuroscience teaches that such a “negativity bias” is “wired” into our neurocircuitry as a survival mechanism. 

Take some time this week to reflect on the parable, what you might consider your “good and bad wolves,” what they represent to you and in what ways you are feeding them (or not).  Do you have some “thought habits” that are not serving your desired outcome?  Afterall, if your thought energy is going to be feeding something, you might as well be doing it by design rather than by default.  Chose regularly … and wisely.