I am having a really rocky emotional day, today. Beating myself up for my shortcomings as a writer, and a man. I don’t have these days very often, but when appear – they knock me on my heels.
Because friends notice things, my friend Callum Saunders (who lives in England and whom I’ve never met in person) sent me this note via email:
An elderly Cherokee Native American was teaching his grandchildren about life…
He said to them, “A fight is going on inside me, it is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves.
One wolf is evil — he is fear, anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, competition, superiority, and ego.
The other is good—he is joy, peace, love, hope, sharing, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, friendship, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.
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 simply replied: “The one you feed”.
And Callum added, ‘It’s the same for every one of us, man. You’re not alone.’
Amen.
***
Jim Mitchem/@jmitchem
Angela
Sep 8, 2010
I met my best friend via a webcomic she writes. We have been best friends for almost two years, and we have never met in person. She lives in Oregon and I live in Michigan (but soon to be in NYC). I am planning to visit her in October before I move to NYC in November. She is my best friend because even from across the miles, she knows just what to say and when to say it and she sends me all the love, care, encouragement and support that even some of my local friends cannot or do not provide. I hope you are feeling better soon… and know that you are loved and cared about.
Be Well.
~Angela
@imaginebttrfly
Linnea
Sep 22, 2010
*jawdrop*
Yes, you are a better writer than I. (I wandered over here after seeing your 300 Words link in my Twitter feed, and this post hit me where I live.)
I have three close friends I’ve not yet been fortunate enough to meet in person, and one I’ve seen only twice. Another, the partner of one of those friends, serves as a long-distance art mentor to my daughter. Those people are just as important to me as the ones I visit a couple of times a year or the ones I meet for coffee.
The Internet allows its denizens to do one of two things: a) exist through a mask or b) cut the bullshit and take it off. It’s a good thing indeed when Item B is the case.
Hope the wolf packs are sleeping peacefully now. (Love that story.)
Jim Mitchem
Sep 23, 2010
Thanks Linnea