Which Stallion Are You Feeding?

An old Grand Master is teaching his apprentice about life.

“A fight is going on inside me,” he said to the boy.

“It is a terrible fight and it is between two stallions.

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 apprentice thought about it for a minute and then asked his Grand Master,

“Which stallion will win?”

The old Grand Master simply replied, “The one you feed.”

—

And that’s the way it is:

Angry riders always find a way to get angry.

Sad riders always find a way to get sad.

Anxious riders always find a way to get anxious.

Critical riders always find a way to be critical.

Complaining riders always find a way to complain.

Jealous riders always find a way to get jealous.

Compassionate riders always find a way to feel compassion.

Enthusiastic riders always find a way to get enthusiastic.

Cheerful riders always find a way to get cheerful.

Grateful riders always find a way to feel gratitude.

So ask yourself:

Which primary emotion is your ‘stallion’?

Which ‘stallion’ are you feeding?

And if you’re not happy with the outcome:

Change your approach! 

Turn things around!

Turn it around by thinking of the things you are grateful for and spend some time each day practicing an attitude of gratitude.