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The Dog That I Feed in the Shadows - Become Aware

Writer's picture: Mel MelMel Mel

Updated: Mar 21, 2023

An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life: “A fight is going on inside me,” he said to the boy. ”It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One is evil – he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.” He continued, “The other is good – he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you – and inside every other person, too.” The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather:

“Which wolf will win?” The old Cherokee simply replied,

"If you feed them right, they both win."


You see, if I only choose to feed the white wolf, the black one will be hiding around every corner waiting for me to become distracted or weak and jump to get the attention he craves. The Black Wolf will always be angry, always fighting the white wolf. But if we acknowledge its being, it is happy and the White Wolf is happy and we all win. For the black wolf has many qualities – tenacity, courage, fearlessness, strong-willed and great strategic thinking – that I have need of at times and that the white wolf lacks.


But the white wolf has compassion, caring, strength and the ability to recognize what is in the best interest of all. You see, son, they need each other at their side. To feed only one would starve the other and they would become uncontrollable. When you feed and care for both, they will serve you well and do nothing that is not a part of something greater, something good, something of life. Feed them both and there will be no more internal struggle for your attention.


When there is no battle inside, you can listen to the voices of deeper knowing that will guide you in choosing what is right in every circumstance. Peace, my son, is the Cherokee mission in life. A man or a woman who has peace inside has everything. A man or a woman who is pulled apart by the war inside him or her has nothing.“How you choose to interact with the opposing forces within you will determine your life. Starve one or the other or guide them both.” –Cherokee Story


Romans 7: 18-19

18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.


This past Saturday, I had a voice lesson with a 16-year old student who plays heavy metal guitar and bass for a band. He wanted to know how to growl! As a vocal coach, I had to tell him that is really isn't good for your voice, and it is called "vocal fry". While it can be done properly with minimal damage, I laughed and explained to him that metal was not my forte. I did inform him that my very first live concert ever was Slayer and Judas Priest, and he found that entertaining. He was also wearing a Rush 2112 shirt, and I do adore Rush! Seeing Rush perform live was my forth concert experience in a completely different city. He told me he was in a Metallica cover band, and that he was assigned to sing and play. We spent most of the class talking music and getting to know one another. I gave him suggestions about singing, he informed me of a new Metallica album where, today, James Hetfield sings more than growls. I'm sure there's a reason! We learned a lot from one another by sharing a commonality - the love for musical language. And, I found that the following song speaks to my words in this blog installation. There is light in the dark, and dark in the light.

Rock on!





"Lux Aeterna" - Metallica

Anticipation in domination A sea of hearts beat as one, unified Magnification, all generations Approaching thunder awaiting the light Full speed or nothin', full speed or nothin' Lux æterna Lux æterna, yeah Exhilaration, frenzied sensation Kindred alliance connected inside Commiseration, sonic salvation Cast out the demons that strangle your life Full speed or nothin', full speed or nothin' Lux æterna Lux æterna, yeah Lux æterna Emancipation kill isolation Never alone for the feelings alike Amplification lightning the nation Never alive more than right here tonight Full speed or nothin', full speed or nothin' Lux æterna Lux æterna, yeah Light it!


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Emily Martinez
Emily Martinez
21 mar 2023

I love this beautiful put together keep them coming Mel your awesome 🙏💜

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