Feed the Good One

Photo Source here.

Why is it easier to escalate a complaint than to commend a job well done?
Why do negative criticisms sound louder than praises?
Why is it easier to say 'It's your fault! You offended me." than "I am sorry it's my fault."?
Why is it faster to delegate a job than to find ways to show appreciation?
Why is it easier to say "She looks awful" (to someone about another) than say "You look great" to the right person?
Why is it easier to stay in our comfort zone than face our fear of leaving it?
Why is it easier to say to oneself "I am better than him." than to admit "He is better than me."?
Why is it easier to point a finger of blame than to give a tight handshake or a warm hug?

I wonder why it is easier to express negative emotions like anger, disdain, irritation, jealousy, envy, hatred and hurt than to express their counterparts like acceptance, humility, appreciation, love and generosity? We have a bird's eye view in finding fault but have our blinders on in searching for good things.

The world is a good place. We have a good God. As difficult as it is to fight our negative emotions, we should not let go of our humanity and the very things that made it exist and last - love, peace and hope.

Yes, we are humans. We are weak and are easily carried away by what we feel but we should not succumb ourselves to the negative things of the world. We have a capacity to decide, react and think differently. We have the ability to choose to nurture the good feelings rather than the bad. 

Let me share with you one of my favorite parables:

One evening, an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes inside people. He said, "My son, the battle is between two 'wolves' inside us all.

One is evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.

The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith."

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked hid grandfather, which wolf wins?"

The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."

It is difficult. No one said it is easy but we are empowered to decide. Let's embrace and feed the good wolf and leave the bad one behind. 

And with God's grace, it is possible.