A Tale of Two Wolves and a Wild Woman

In the depths of a wild forest, where the ancient trees whispered wisdom, the birds shared marvellous melodies and the rivers sang sweet lullabies, lived a woman known for her untamed spirit. She was a Wild Woman, known not for her fierceness, but for her profound connection with the earth and the life it nurtured. Her journey was not always a serene one; it was a life of unwavering bravery and courage to seek true happiness.

Let me share a little story with you from one wild woman to another.

In a quiet village nestled in the heart of the forest there lived an elder who was known for his wisdom and kindness. People from near and far would come to seek his advice and listen to his stories, which were often filled with deep meaning and life lessons.

One moonlit night as the sun dipped below the horizon casting a golden glow over the village, this Wild Woman sat by the fire, contemplating the stories of her ancestors. She had been struggling with feelings of anger and sadness, and hoped the elder could help her understand these emotions. She was welcomed with a warm smile and invited to sit by him and the fire. After a moment of silence, admiring the flames flickering away, the Cherokee elder began to speak and share a tale with her; a story about two wolves that live within each of us.

"Inside each of us, there are two wolves. One is dark and unhappy - full of anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, superiority and ego. The other wolf is light and happy - embodying love, joy, peace, hope, serenity, humility, integrity, kindness, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith."

The Wild Woman was able to feel the presence of these wolves within her. She knew that these wolves were in a timeless battle within each soul, striving to dominate over our heart, body and mind. The wild woman listened intently to this tale, her eyes wide with curiosity, and her heart open to receive the wisdom of this tale.

As the elder gazed into the flickering flames he turned his wise eyes to the woman and shared so eloquently "The wolf that wins, is the one you feed."

For the Wild Woman, this was a profound revelation. She realised that happiness was not a destination, but a journey defined by her choices and guided by the wolf she decided to nurture.

“Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” – Abraham Lincoln

Every day, she faced choices that could either feed the dark wolf (unhappiness) or the light wolf (happiness). There were many moments of doubt, fear and sorrow that tried to pull her towards the darkness. In these moments, she remembered her commitment to the light wolf and understood the power she had to choose which wolf to feed, by focusing on her thoughts, words and actions.From that day on she made a conscious effort to feed the happy wolf within her.

She chose to practice gratitude, starting each day with a beautiful and abundant mindset. Finding beauty in the simplest things— the morning dew on a leaf, the glow of the sunrise and the warmth as the sunshine gently landed on her skin, the laughter shared with friends. She chose kindness, even when anger seemed easier. She embraced forgiveness, knowing that holding onto frustration only fueled the dark wolf.

Slowly but surely, the happy wolf grew bolder, braver and more courageous. The sad wolf still existed, its power withered away as the woman continued to nourish the wolf of happiness, love & joy.

In his book “Authentic Happiness,” Dr. Martin Seligman explains the various factors determining our happiness; positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning and accomplishment. From these factors, life circumstances account for just 10%.

We know that money is unable to buy happiness! 10%—is that all? Research shows that as long as people have food on the table and a roof over their heads, there's no significant difference in happiness levels between someone earning $35,000 a year and someone with millions or even billions in the bank. The billionaire may be more comfortable, undoubtedly more secure, but not necessarily any happier.

Happiness is deeply personal, influenced primarily by our genetics (50%) and the way we habitually think (50%). While we may not control our genetic predispositions, we can courageously transform our habitual thoughts.

Happiness is indeed a choice - the choice of a wild woman.

The Wild Woman also understood that true happiness required vulnerability and authenticity. She owned her story, with all its imperfections and scars. She embraced her wildness, not as a flaw, but as a unique gift that made her who she was. By being true to herself, she gave others the permission slip to do the same. She created a safe space for others to share their stories, to be fully seen and heard free from judgment. In this space, the light wolf thrived, spreading warmth, joy and so much love.

Our habitual thinking patterns are unconscious, running on autopilot. Each time a familiar situation arises, we tend to respond or react in the same old way, driven by conditioning of the past. Spiritual teacher and author Deepak Chopra shared: “Most people live their entire lives in bondage. They are a bundle of nerves and conditioned responses, which are constantly being triggered by other people and circumstances into totally predictable outcomes. To be free of bondage, we must break these conditioned responses; we have to go beyond boundaries and explore the boundless.”

I am sure you have heard about the concept of the monkey mind; our thoughts are like mischievous monkeys pulling our tails one way to provoke one reaction, and then pulling our tails in another direction, eliciting a completely different reaction or response. This is part of our conditioning and can be changed through bringing more awareness, more mindfulness to these unconscious reactions.

Lean into the courage of the wild woman within, who refuses to be tamed by external triggers or expectations. Happiness is a state of being that arises from our habitual modes of thinking.

The happiness most of us knew as a child is still alive within you, buried under layers of conditioning that you have accumulated in your life. The courage of this wild woman can inspire you to uncover this love and joy within.

One of the greatest joys of this wild woman was her connection to others. She knew that happiness was not a solitary pursuit. It was something that flourished in the presence of love and community. She walked, ran and danced with her tribe, fostering conversations that inspired while creating a world where people felt connected and protected.

Her journey was far from easy. There were times when the dark wolf seemed to gain the upper hand. But she never gave up. She trusted her intuition, followed the guidance of her heart and kept moving forward, one step at a time. Years later, this woman had grown into a wise and compassionate human. She often shared the story of the two wolves with others, helping them to understand the power of their choices and the importance of feeding the right wolf.

The wisdom of the elder lived on, guiding countless hearts towards happiness and peace, just as the woman was guided so many years ago. In the moment you notice yourself reacting habitually, pause and reflect. Ask if this reaction serves your highest good or if there is a more supportive response.

The story of this wild woman is a reminder that we have the power to shape our emotions and our lives by choosing what to focus on and nurture within and around us.

The courage to be happy lies within each of us. It is a choice we make every day, in the face of challenges and uncertainties of life. It's the decision to feed the light wolf, to embrace our true selves, and to connect deeply with those around us.

In her wild and wonderful way, the Wild Woman teaches us that happiness is not a distant dream, but a reality we can create with our choices, our connections and our unwavering bravery and courage.

Reframing your thoughts is a powerful tool on this journey to reclaim your happiness. When a negative thought arises, challenge its validity and consider a more potent point of view. For instance, if you think, "I'm not good enough," reframe it to, "I am learning and growing every day." This simple yet powerful shift can transform your mindset and elevate your emotional state.

Keep reading for some practical steps to uplift your spirit & cultivate happiness;

Choose to grace your soul with gratitude to allow you to focus on all that you do have, rather than what you lack. Daily gratitude journaling can significantly boost your happiness.

Use affirmations to reinforce positive beliefs. Speak to yourself with kindness and encouragement.

Live mindfully by engaging in activities that bring you joy and fulfillment. Mindfulness practices such as meditation and breathwork can help you stay present and cultivate inner peace.

Use self-compassion to treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding you would offer to a dear friend. Acknowledge your efforts and celebrate your progress, no matter how small.

Happiness is no longer a distant goal but a daily practice. By understanding the difference between thoughts and thinking, reframing our mindset and choosing higher vibrational words, we can feed the wolf of happiness within us.

Embrace this journey with the patience, compassion & courage of the wild woman and the emotional connection of the wolf pack and watch your life transform into a more joyful and fulfilling experience.

Remember, the choice and courage to be happy is yours to make each and every day.