Feeding the Right Wolf: Our Choices Make Us
“We are our choices.”
— Jean-Paul Sartre
In the quiet hours of each day, we make countless choices—some loud and visible, others silent and internal. These decisions, whether deliberate or unconscious, shape the arc of our lives. They influence not just what we do, but who we become. In this ongoing act of choosing lies the essence of our humanity.
An old man once told his grandson:
"A battle rages inside every one of us—a fight between two wolves."
The boy asked, "Two wolves?"
The old man nodded.
"One is dark—born of anger, envy, greed, regret, arrogance, and fear.
The other is light—born of love, peace, kindness, hope, humility, and truth."
The boy paused, then asked,
"Which wolf wins?"
The old man replied,
"The one you choose to feed."
This parable speaks with quiet power to the internal struggles we all face. Whether in a classroom, a workplace, or a quiet moment alone, we are always feeding one wolf or the other—through our thoughts, our words, and our actions.
The dark wolf is not an external enemy, but the part of us that thrives on negativity, comparison, and reaction. The light wolf, by contrast, is the voice of clarity, compassion, and purpose—the part of us that chooses to respond with courage, patience, and love even when it’s hard.
Feeding the right wolf is not a single, heroic act. It is a daily discipline—a quiet commitment to awareness and intention. It is remembering, in the midst of noise and pressure, that we still have a choice.
And for students, teachers, and all who strive to grow: this story is a reminder that our future is not written by chance, but by choice. Each day offers an opportunity to choose what kind of life we want to lead—what kind of person we wish to become.
So ask yourself, with honesty and hope:
Which wolf will you feed today?
