"The strength of the pack is the wolf, and the strength of the wolf is the pack." 
~ Rudyard Kiplin

The two sides of our human nature often cause us to act in opposing ways. Some days we are good and others, not so good. A bit of folklore and some deep thinking could help us nurture our natures' better halves.

There was a grandfather whose grandson often came in the evenings to sit at his knee and ask the many questions that children ask. One day the grandson came to visit with a look of anger on his face.

Grandfather said, "Come, sit, tell me what happened today."

The child sat and leaned his chin on Grandfather's knee. Looking up into the wrinkled, nut-brown face and the kind dark eyes, the child's anger turned to quiet tears.

"I went to town with Father to trade the furs he collected over the past several months. Father said that since I had helped him with the trapping, I could get something for me...something that I wanted. I was so excited to be in the trading post. I looked at many things and finally found a metal knife! It was small, but a good size for me, so Father got it for me."

Grandfather softly placed his hand on the boy's raven hair and said, "And then what happened?"

"I went outside to wait for Father, and to admire my new knife in the sunlight. Some town boys came by and saw me. They got all around me and started saying bad things. They called me dirty and stupid and said that I should not have such a fine knife. The largest boy pushed me back and I fell over one of the other boys. I dropped my knife and one of them snatched it up and they ran away laughing." Here the boy's anger returned, "I hate them. I hate them all!"

Grandfather, with eyes that have seen too much, lifted his grandson's face and said, "I too, at times, have felt a great hate for those who have taken so much, with no sorrow for what they do. But hate wears you down, and does not hurt your enemy. It is like taking poison and wishing your enemy would die. I have struggled with these feelings many times. It is as if there are two wolves inside me, one is white and one is black. The White Wolf is good and does no harm. He lives in harmony with all around him and does not take offense when no offense was intended. But it will only fight when it is right to do so, and in the right way."

The grandfather continued, "But the Black Wolf is full of anger. The littlest thing will set him into a fit of temper. He fights everyone, all the time, for no reason. He cannot think because his anger and hate are so great. It is helpless anger, for his anger will change nothing. Sometimes it is hard to live with these two wolves inside me, for both of them try to dominate my spirit."

The boy looked intently into Grandfather's eyes and asked, "Which one wins, Grandfather?"

Grandfather smiled and said, "The one I feed."

(American Folklore Wisdom)

We often know how we should behave, but frequently give in to the side of ourselves that wants to have its way and forge ahead without taking time to think. We react to situations or problems out of habit. Unknowingly, the more we give in to this side of our nature, the more it begins to creep in and take over.

As in all things, that which we feed and fuel becomes more powerful; while that which we ignore, refuse to nurture and fail to nourish begins to wither and weaken.

If we want to control the Black Wolf inside us, we must constantly feed the White Wolf because he has a bit of growing to do. We can do this by training him with spiritual and Scriptural reading, enjoying inspirational music, and practicing doing what doesn't always come naturally.

Some of these exercises are the practice of forgiveness when it is especially hard --turning the other cheek, refusing to knuckle to peer pressure, being willing to stand alone (even against a group of our friends) and to take a stand for what is right.

Another good way is to be with upright friends of good character who lead Christian lives. In this way, our weaker sides will grow in strength and self-assurance. Even a small pack of nurturing friends is comforting when we feel outnumbered.

There's not much glory in being a White Wolf. Many times we are demonized as wimps or geeks for trying to do what's right. Think of the role models our society promotes. Do they generally turn the other cheek when confronted or do nice things for others? Or do these modern "heroes" do whatever it takes to grab the spotlight with outrageous and sometimes illegal doings?

Biblical practices not only feed the White Wolf, they strengthen him to fight harder and give him stamina. The Black Wolf seems to always have the advantage because he has been in training a lot longer, and he has many supporters in the world. Our growing White Wolf needs encouragement. And we must listen closely to hear his voice because the Black Wolf tries to drown out his small barks with vicious growling and snarls.

Nothing that strengthens the White Wolf is easy. A good rule of thumb for building up his muscles is that if it's an easy activity or something that satisfies the ego, it will feed the Black Wolf instead.

But if the action or attitude you're attempting requires work, restraint, or isn't personally satisfying, it is probably beneficial to the White Wolf, and therefore your own spiritual nature.

Did you relate to the story of the boy and his grandfather?
Is your White Wolf or Black Wolf stronger most of the time? Why?
What ways can you think of to strengthen your White Wolf?