Emotional Intelligence for Personal Growth

"Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting '..holy sh*t ....what a ride!' Enjoy the ride. There is no return ticket."


If I happen come across a blog post beginning with that quote, it's natural get curious since it's obvious that someone out there had an epiphany. Not sure what was the source of his epiphany (science?) but he has some great on-going series of posts - Here.
I highly recommend reading all 4 parts - it covers most of the stuff I blabber here  - metacognition, emotions vs reasons, morality, finding the balance, killing the ape inside, Jonathan Haidt, Categorical Imperative et al. We are sort of tribes, we love to find things and people who are in tune with us. This one did feed the tribe inside me. I have heard Plato's Chariot Allegory, Elephant and the rider metaphor but this the first time I am hearing this Wolves metaphor.

"There is an old Cherokee folk tale called the "Wolves Within".
An old Grandfather said to his grandson, who came to him with anger at a friend who had done him an injustice, "Let me tell you a story.
I too, at times, have felt a great hate for those that have taken so much, with no sorrow for what they do. 
But hate wears you down, and does not hurt your enemy. It is like taking poison and wishing your enemy would die. I have struggled with these feelings many times." He continued, "It is as if there are two wolves inside me. One is good and does no harm. He lives in harmony with all around him, and does not take offense when no offense was intended. He will only fight when it is right to do so, and in the right way.
But the other wolf, ah! He is full of anger. The littlest thing will set him into a fit of temper. He fights everyone, all the time, for no reason. He cannot think because his anger and hate are so great. It is helpless anger,for his anger will change nothing. 
Sometimes, it is hard to live with these two wolves inside me, for both of them try to dominate my spirit." 
The boy looked intently into his Grandfather's eyes and asked, "Which one wins, Grandfather?"
The Grandfather smiled and quietly said, "The one I feed."