I recently read an account of a Native American Tribal Chief who was teaching the young people of his tribe about how to be a good person. When the chief had finished his talk, one of the young men in the group asked him if he could describe his own troubles with trying to be a good person. The chief replied by saying, "In my own life I have come to discover that there are two dogs inside me.  One of the dogs is mean as hell and very evil. The other dog is very good.  The mean dog fights the good dog all of the time."

  Someone in the crowd asked him which dog usually wins the fight. After a moment or two of reflection, the chief answered, "I suppose it's the one that I feed the most. Being a good person is a matter of feeding the right dog."

  Does that tribal leader's description of the struggle to lead a good life ring true to you?  I've been using his description in my prayer these last couple of weeks and I have found it to be a good way to pay attention to the choices I make. I have been simply asking myself, "If I choose to say or do that, which dog would I be feeding?" 

  If you were to ask yourself that question about the choices you have been making with your family and friends or at work or school, which dog have you been feeding?