Look at the title. Notice how it does not say left wolf. You’ve heard the saying, “It’s the wolf you feed.” No? Well, it is an age-old parable that deals with the fates of two animals. Now, apparently they are within you, always fighting for your attention – one being evil and one being good – the health hazards of which are assuredly tremendous. 

What they are fed is of no importance, every morsel of attention is a full course meal. It is certain that what one lacks in regard, the other gains. They grow in power with each thought and – as these parameters suggest – it is the wolf you feed that rules you. 

Now, the evil wolf takes, but does not give. They bite, are ruthless and don’t wipe their paws before entering any cave. They are self-serving and arrogant. They are the negative aspects of you, get the picture? 

That wolf is the left wolf. 

The right wolf, the one referenced to in the aforementioned title, is good. They are selfless, loving and whole-heartedly giving providers of stability and tranquility. This may have started to sound like a horoscope, but stick with me. This is the wolf you should feed. 

How may one go about feeding the right wolf? By simply doing good. Help an old lady carry her groceries. Help an old lady cross the street. Help an old lady do anything, the good wolf gobbles that stuff up. It is not just about action, but intent. Do because it is good, not to look good doing it; old ladies and good wolf hate poseurs. 

However, there is an argument that one needs some good and bad to function. An episode of Star Trek even took on the concept, Kirk freakishly splitting into two opposite versions of himself when danger struck. When the show concluded, he then realized he needed both halves of him to properly captain the Enterprise. 

If you are not a Trekkie, this example may be moot. A more ancient and broad concept of this would be Chinese dualism – yin and yang – which is less of a positive and negative take and more of a presentation of opposites in harmony. 

In everyday life we make decisions and, usually unbeknownst to us, they affect those around us. In making said decisions we have to take into account this invisible impact.

 In the movie Men in Black III, there is an alien race presented called the Unicorns. They have the ability to perceive several different realities, tethered together by minute choices we make as our lives progress. A Unicorn, a character named Griffin, asks if Will Smith’s character, Agent J, had a glass of milk that morning. His answer happened to spell death for a young lady.

Whether or not such a perilous outcome may manifest out of a careless decision we choose to make, our decisions do matter. From what to eat to asking for someone’s hand in marriage, all are important. 

I could deliberate and describe the extent of choice itself, harping on its infinite reach in defining how our lives are formed from one generation to another. I could reference another science fiction movie and deconstruct its intent in the scenes that I mention. Or I could simply state a plea for our future:

With all of the wrong done to many and the hurt inflicted on the hearts of those undeserving of it, something has to be done, whether it is recognized as a balance of good and evil, or the starvation of a wolf. Choose wisely.