Resilience
The Two Wolves: A Cherokee Legend
Written by: Tara Chamberlain, CITC Language Arts Teacher, Romig Middle School
An old Cherokee was teaching his grandchildren about life. He said, “A battle is raging inside me…it is a terrible fight between two wolves. One wolf represents fear, anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority and ego. The other stands for joy, peace, love, hope, sharing, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, friendship, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.”
The old man looked at the children with a firm stare. “This same fight is going on inside you, and inside every other person, too.” They thought about it for a minute, and then one child asked his grandfather, “Which wolf will win?” The old Cherokee replied, “The one you feed.”
Resilience means feeding the wolf that stands for joy, peace, love, hope, sharing, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, friendship, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith. Resilience is not something we are born with; it is something that we continue to learn and master as we go through the journey that is life. As a teacher, I am presented with many opportunities to teach our students the skills they need to become resilient people. Recently I had the opportunity to read how my students viewed themselves as resilient people.
I was touched by their honesty and self-awareness; many of them shared personal reflections on difficult experiences they have had to overcome. I feel blessed and honored to be able to work with such resilient and reflective young adults.
What an excellent lesson! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteDenise