M is for Mondays...and Music: Feeding the Wolf

The past eight days have seen a convergence of stress inducing events on just about every aspect of my life. Work, social, health. Things really came to a head yesterday, and I just felt so physically exhausted. I was talking to my best friend, Allison, on the phone and at one point I uttered, "I feel like I've been full on crying all day, when I haven't shed a tear. It makes no sense."

It's days like these where I want to pile into my down comforter and listen to songs like this on repeat.

Then today, one of my friends posted this on Facebook...

An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life.

"A fight is going on inside me," he said to the boy.

"It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One is evil - he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego." He continued, "The other is good - he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you - and inside every other person, too."

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf will win?"

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

Today it became clear to me that something has got to give. I came home and made dinner. Then I lit a candle and pulled out my yoga mat. I did a series of yoga poses for no more than 25 minutes, but it calmed my mind.

This past Saturday at Laydeez Coffeez we got into a deep discussion about gratitude and thankfulness. I wrote about this topic a few years ago, and subsequently got into the habit of ending my post with a thankful nod. I think it's about time I brought that back.

Today I am thankful for my friends and their capacity to listen and respond in ways that are honest, caring and grounding.

So although I am truly feeling the sad Nina tunes today - I will sign off by feeding the good wolf with some glass half full Aretha. (My fave version of this is sung by Ella Fitzgerald...but there seem to be no decent videos of that online. Look it up if you get a chance)!