Have you heard the ancient tale of the two wolves? A wise man once shared this story with his grandson, portraying a vivid metaphor for the internal conflict that dwells within us all. In this tale, one wolf symbolizes goodness, forgiveness, and harmony, while the other embodies suspicion, anger and selfishness. When they boy inquired about which wolf would emerge victorious, the grandfather simply replied, “The one I feed.”
This is a story about being in control of who we are and the choices we make. Yet, amidst the chaos of modernity and the allure of external validation, a third wolf has emerged – one that embodies insecurities, self – doubt, and the fear of judgement.
Living in a world where social media dictates much of our actions, it’s easy to fall into the trap of seeking approval from others. The ever-growing appeal of likes, shares and comments has become a measure of how society views us. We forget who we are as individuals and the depth of human interactions. This external validation often comes at the cost of authenticity and self-expression, breeding a culture of constant insecurity.
Can external judgements hold true weight in defining our worth or identity?
Sir Anthony Hopkins said, “What people say about me is none of my business.”
You can surpass perceived limits by genuinely believing in the future you want by asking yourself: “What’s the worst that’s going to happen?”
Then, ask yourself this follow-up question: “What’s the best that’s going to happen?”
I spent many years biting my tongue, not standing up for the things I believed in, and letting others dictate what I should and should not be doing. This is not how life should be. Sometimes, I feel the same insecurity as the days are coming closer for the release of my first book. I know there would be judgements of my work and scrutiny of every page.
I speak about these very challenges I faced and many such stories I shared with my grandfather in my book “Overflow – Live The Life You Want” . While I write this piece, I try hard to remind myself that I should not feed the third wolf.
I invite you, the reader, to ponder upon the wolves that reside within you. Have you faced similar challenges of self-doubt or insecurity in the pursuit of your passions? How do you navigate the balance between seeking external validation and staying true to yourself?