choose your side (kids edition)

Choose your side

(Muhammad Shahid Imran)

Grandpa was worried at his rude behavior with everyone. Today when mother complained misbehave of Rehan, he called him upon and asked him to get ready for a jaunt. On the way to river bank he brought some sweets and ice cream for him. Rehan was so astonished with his grandfather behavior that instead of showing anger at his offensive actions he is treating him with affection. At park near river bank they played with ball and finally get tired. Grandfather pointed him to sit at bench near.

His heart beat begin tremendously when father patted his back and said:

“Look my son God has created man with many weaknesses; as we grow up; we gradually become aware of the many things in the external world which are largely beyond our ability to control. These include other people in general and most events in our lives. Initially this is difficult to accept, but a more shocking realization is that there are many things about ourselves that we seem powerless to control

There was a battle that always going on inside all of us”.

Old man said: “my Son! The battle is between two wolves inside us all”.

One is EVIL,

It is anger, envy, greed, jealousy, sorrow, regret, guilt, and ego. This wolf is supported by bad deeds and behavior.

The other wolf is GOOD

It is joy, peace, love, serenity, humility, kindness, faith, sincerity, compassion and hope.

Rehan asked his father: then which wolf wins?

Old man replied passionately: THE ONE YOU FEED.

• Are you aware of two different opposing “wolves” operating within your mind, one of which leads to pain and a diminished sense o of life and the other to a joyous, meaningful, and fulfilling life?

• Do you recognize that within your mind is a separate entity which is the core you? Other names for this core self are “ego” or just simply the “self”.

• Have you ever experienced times when you noticed a conflict or fight between parts of yourself so that you did not know which way to turn?

• Were you ever disappointed by the choice of behavior made by “you” because you knew that there was a more positive option but you just didn’t choose it?

• In general how effective is your ego in choosing the thoughts feelings and actions which are best for you?

• What ways or techniques or exercises do you use to strengthen your ego or self so as to increase its potency to choose and hence control your life?

• In what specific ways do you feed the negative wolf?

• What specific ways do you use to feed the positive wolf?

• Having become aware of how you feed the wolves within, can you think of ways to better nurture your chosen wolf?