news&views Winter 2017 | Page 11

There is an American Native parable about two wolves that reside within each of us . There is a ‘ yes ’ or courageous wolf and a ‘ no ’ or fearful wolf , and we have a choice of feeding one or the other in any given situation .

Feeding the ‘ no ’ or fearful wolf leads to negativity , anxiety , pessimism and inaction , but may provide the illusion of safety and security . Feeding the ‘ no ’ wolf may ensure that you do not have to fail or be rejected ; however , saying ‘ no ’ can lead to lost opportunities , being stuck in old ways , and giving up on dreams and potential possibilities . Thich Nhat Hanh , the Vietnamese Buddhist spiritual leader , said , “ People have a hard time letting go of their suffering . Out of a fear of the unknown , they prefer suffering that is familiar .”

Feeding the ‘ yes ’ or courageous wolf requires pushing past fear and uncomfortable emotions and opening one ’ s self to optimism , hope and acceptance . Feeding the ‘ yes ’ wolf potentially promotes spiritual growth and enables us to overcome adversity ; it frees us to establish new friendships , open new doors and see new opportunities ; it enables us to survive with greater integrity , honesty and wisdom .

Saying ‘ yes ’ to life requires courage in a world in which negativity is described by some psychologists as one of the greatest diseases of our time . This negativity suggests that people are saying ‘ no ’ to life rather than accepting its difficulties and struggles . “ No , I can ’ t do this .” “ No , I can ’ t conquer my addiction .” “ No , I can ’ t fight this illness .” “ No , I don ’ t have the right education .” “ No , I won ’ t forgive you .”

Sometimes saying ‘ no ’ is necessary , such as saying ‘ no ’ to injustice , prejudice , violence and hatred . But this kind of ‘ no ’ arises from the wisdom and knowledge we acquire when we say ‘ yes ’ to life .

Saying ‘ yes ’ to pain , to sorrow , to change , to grief , to sadness , to loss , and to illness does not mean that we like what we are experiencing . Rather , it means that we accept the facts of what we are facing and that we will not deny our emotions , but that we fully recognize our reality in that moment . It takes courage to say , “ Yes , I lost my job .” “ Yes , I am sad and lonely .” “ Yes , I have cancer .” “ Yes , I need to take care of myself .” “ Yes , I need more exercise .” “ Yes , my spouse is dying .” “ Yes , life is so hard at times .” “ Yes , this is my life , and yes , I WILL live it each moment .”

Saying ‘ yes ’ to life is to say that you choose life , in all its forms , not just when it is flowing smoothly and peacefully . Saying ‘ yes ’ means that you will not run away from life but are also saying , “ Wherever I am and whatever I am facing , this is my life and my life is worth living . I choose it no matter what — so bring it on !”

I invite you to choose life . Step into its victories and challenges , its healing and sickness , and its beauty and messiness . Embrace it every moment with the deepest conviction . Say “ I will ” rather than “ I ’ ll try .” In his book The Pharmacy of the Soul , spiritualist Osho writes , “ Say ‘ yes ’ to life , to love , to people .” Start putting your energy into ‘ yes ,’ for as Osho also writes , “ Make a mantra of ‘ yes .’ Every night before you go to sleep , repeat ‘ yes , yes ’ and get in tune with it ; sway with it and let it penetrate your being .”

Choose life and say ‘ yes ’ to it . �

Peggy McDonagh , Minister of Worship at St . David ’ s United Church in Calgary , shares reflections on body , mind and spiritual wellness — important elements in her own life .

news & views WINTER 2017 | 11