A lovely story with a valuable message to tell your children

One of the best ways to learn as a child is from either role modelling or story telling.

Today I would like to share a very special story with you, a story that has been told to me by a very special person, and I am forever grateful that I carry this precious life lesson with me. It is a great one to share with your children and loved ones.

One day, a wise old man was sitting down by the riverbanks. His young nephew, which he saw as his own son, came up to him and asked what he was doing.

The wise, old man said: “My son, there is a battle between wolves going on  inside me. One is Evil, it is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority and ego. The other is Good, it is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you, and in others too.”

The young nephew thought about it for a minute and then asked: “Which wolf will win?”

The wise old man replied: “The one you feed.”

This story has never left me and is really powerful. It makes it so powerful because it tells us that we really create our own lives, and what we think we become. Is this not a great metaphor to teach your children, and empower them to make the best out of their lives and change perspective?

So how to help your child, and yourself, to focus on the Good Wolf, and feed positive thoughts? Here are some ideas:

1. Focus on what you do want. How often it happens that children keep saying what they do not want (e.g. I do not want to eat my vegetables, I do not want to go to sleep). Help them redirect their focus to what they do want. That will give them more positive vibes, it is easier for you to readdress their energy, and gives more peace and joy.
2. Place yourself in the other person’s shoes. To keep feeding the good wolf, it is very valuable to learn children empathy and see the other side’s story. There is a positive intention behind every behavior, so if someone is doing something, literally let them experience being the other and they will see the positive side.
3. Blessings of the Day. Help your children, and yourself, to focus on the good things that happen on a day. What were their blessings, and what made it so good. They will learn to focus on positive things that happen in life.
4. Reframe the Experience. If something happens that upsets you or your child, ask: what can we takeaway from this? It will instantly give a different focus, and away from the problem, to more empowering thoughts.
5. Random Act of Kindness. Encourage your child and family to do some random acts of kindness each week. Whether it be giving a free smile, making a cup of coffee for someone without being asked, or putting your change in a jar and giving it away, it is all ok. As long as it is random, and without expectations.

Featured image sourced via Pinterest