Welcome to this week’s issue of Weekly Wellness Wisdom!

Happy 4th of July holiday to my USA readers! May the week ahead be filled with joy, fun and connection with those whom you love most.

Weekly Wellness Wisdom is on its new weekly schedule. Every Saturday you will receive the latest issue. If for any reason, you don’t receive your weekly email, please email me at lori@loriboothroyd.com
and we’ll help.

In today’s issue I’m simply sharing with you a powerful story, “Feeding your Wolves”. The story and the teachings behind it will launch a series of articles I’ve written to continue supporting your journey toward Authentic Wellness. I hope you enjoy it!

What’s New from Centered Living

This fall I’ll be offering a series of tele-classes designed to enlighten and educate about Authentic Wellness. I’m very excited to be introducing powerful ideas and strategies for becoming more centered, authentic and joyful. Please stay tuned for more details in the weeks to come.

Wellness Wisdom Feature Article

Feeding your Wolves: Recognizing the Power of Your Choices

This is a traditional Native American Story. There are many variations but it essentially goes like this:

A Native American Elder was once describing his inner struggles with a dear friend. He struggled to find the words and after a period of quiet reflection, he shared this:

“Inside of each of us are two wolves. There is a Good Wolf and there is a Bad Wolf. The Bad Wolf is mean, sad, negative and angry. The Good Wolf is open-hearted, kind and loving. The Bad Wolf fights the Good Wolf all day.”

He fell silent again, and after a time, his friend spoke. “Which Wolf wins?” he asked the Elder.

The old man reflected again for a moment and then replied,

“Whichever Wolf we feed the most”.

My coaching challenge and request to you this week is to begin mindfully befriending (or at least getting a little more acquainted) with the two wolves whose voices exist in each of us. Simply be with what you discover and accept what you experience. In the week’s ahead, we’ll look at some ways we can work with those wolves to help us reach new places in our journeys toward Authentic Wellness.

Personal Reflections

This week I’d like to share a “Bad Wolf” moment I had, just to give you an example of the power within this simple story. I took a full day off to kayak with my husband, Greg. We explored a beautiful lake that is just a few miles from our home; it was a recent unexpected discovery.

Within moments of launching our boats and taking a gentle paddle, I saw two large birds lazily swimming ahead of us. As we moved closer, I whispered to Greg, “I think those are loons!” He looked over at me with an expression playfully implying that I was the only loon on the lake as he said “No, I don’t think there are any loons around here.” I was sure I was mistaken, but as we approached, we realized that a pair of loons had made this astonishingly pristine lake their home. This is quite a rare experience. Not long after that discovery, we spotted enormous turtles, watched large heron fly overhead and were even serenaded by those same loons (such a haunting and mysteriously beautiful sound).

Where is the Bad Wolf in this setting? In my head, dominating my thoughts. Occasionally throughout this idyllic kayaking experience, this voice appeared in my head. It said things like this: “You have work to do at home. Shouldn’t you be back at your office? What about that article you promised for the fitness magazine? The deadline is looming. You won’t have it ready in time. Why are you taking this time to relax?” and so on. You get the idea.

At first, I felt some anxiety and distraction. But, because I had just taught about the Bad Wolf/Good Wolf story to some clients, it was fresh in my head. I gently noticed the Bad Wolf thoughts, and I replied silently to the Bad Wolf: “Yes, I hear you. All is well and everything will be done on time. I’m taking some time to take care of myself, relax with Greg and enjoy this beautiful wildlife. You are welcome to enjoy it with me, or else scram.” And in that magical moment, I chose to feed the Good Wolf instead.

Have fun playing with your Wolves this week!

Be well,
Lori

About Lori

Dr. Lori Boothroyd is known as the “Coaching Psychologist”. She has served her clients and students well over the years through integrating her knowledge from earninga Ph.D. in psychology, as well as her advanced training in coaching and wellness psychology. Appreciated for her warmth and down-to-earth style as much as her expertise, Lori is a dynamic speaker, author and coach. She lives in Traverse City, Michigan with her husband, Dr. Gregory Boothroyd.

For a complimentary coaching consult, to inquire about programs or to ask any questions, please email: lori@loriboothroyd.com