Informal and potentially loaded facebook survey...Do you think humanity is innately good or evil? When presented with a choice do you initially gravitate towards kindness or malice? Not what you actually do or choose, but what's your first reaction? Good? Or ill? And...GO!
Now, there is nothing I like better than a "potentially loaded" Facebook post.
Sure--I love to see smiling pics of the fam and find out that the Pinterest recipe was a huge hit with the book club set. I have been known to spit coffee onto my computer screen at some of the "Some ee cards" out there (and quickly pull up another internet window so I don't have to explain something I'm so not ready to explain to my very observant ten-year-old).
But ask me for my opinion on a philosophical question and my fingers start itching...literally...to tell all of someone's 450 some-odd Facebook friends (most of whom don't know me from Adam) exactly what I think.
And, dear reader, I TOTALLY took the bait. I answered the question.
Well. Actually...
I answered the first part of the question. I talked about that Cherokee legend about the wolves (if you don't know it you can read it here) and I said that I thought it was our responsibility to feed our "good wolves" and the "good wolves" of those around us.
And then I got up from the computer and went to unload the dishwasher. And this is the conversation that I had with my inner Jiminy Cricket:
Jiminy: Really? You really think it's our responsibility to feed "the good wolves" of those around us?
Me: Yes. Of course! Don't you?
Jiminy: Well, that's not what you do...
Me: EXCUSE me?
Jiminy: It isn't. You spend more time telling your kids and Better Half what they're doing "wrong" or what you're frustrated with than you do telling them what they're doing "right."
Me (sputtering): But...I shouldn't have to give them kudos for...they know what they're supposed to...how will they...?
Jiminy: And when you're talking to your friends, you complain and criticize a LOT.
Me (indignantly): I do NOT! I share my opinions with my friends, but I am FUNNY...it's lighthearted satire...I don't complain and criticize!
Jiminy: Just because your complaints and criticisms are thinly--very thinly--veiled with sarcasm and humor doesn't mean they aren't still complaints and criticisms.
Me (with my lips tightly pressed together): I am so NOT talking to you about this, anymore!
Jiminy: Fine. But think about it. What if you really focused on feeding the "good wolf" in others? Made it a priority? Stopped complaining, pointing out failings and frustrations and focused on the good? Would everyone's "good wolf" grow?
Ouch. I guess that's the answer to my friend, Sarah's question.
In my wolf world, the planned feedings, the feasts, the holiday dinners, etc. go (mostly) to Good Wolf. That's not no say I've never planned a feeding for Bad Wolf. Unfortunately, I have. And when I do, it's a five course meal with all the fixin's.
But in my wolf world, Bad Wolf is friendlier. His fur is softer. He sits patiently at my feet and nudges my legs so I will pet him. And before I know it, I'm feeding him scraps and snacks and tidbits of complaining and gossip and irritation and unforgiveness and judgement.
Good Wolf hangs back. He's not initially so friendly or inviting. I have to approach him. But once I do and offer my food, the devotion I get wildly surpasses that of Bad Wolf.
Everyone's wolf world doesn't look like mine. For many people, Good Wolf is the friendlier one--the one that is forefront in the pack. And I am so envious of those people.
But that doesn't let me off the hook.
So here begins my campaign to be more purposeful about "Feeding the Good Wolves."
In myself, and in others.
Great post. Really makes me think.
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