You may have heard the Native American story of the Two Wolves. An elder tells a child that inside each of us are two wolves that are in constant battle. One wolf symbolises kindness, love and generosity, the other represents anger, fear and greed. When the child asks which wolf wins, the elder replies, “The one you feed.”
That little story beautifully sums up the heart of the Awakening Joy course. Over the past two months, I had the pleasure of journeying alongside this year’s participants, exploring practices that help us “feed” the qualities that bring genuine happiness. Each week, we came together to discover practical ways of turning towards the good in life – a refreshing antidote to the constant stream of negative messages we so often encounter in the news and on social media.
The course began with setting our personal intentions around noticing joy when it arises and nurturing habits that support it. From there we explored mindfulness, grounding ourselves in the here and now. Gratitude followed, opening our hearts to appreciation and wonder, which in turn gave us strength for working with life’s inevitable challenges.
Each theme built upon the previous one, offering not only insight but also practical tools for everyday life. As the weeks unfolded, we explored what it means to live with integrity, to let go of clinging, and to learn how to treat ourselves with kindness. We discovered the power of self-compassion, the ease of connecting with others, and the natural flow of compassion that arises when we meet suffering – our own and others’ – with an open heart.
What struck me most were the small but meaningful shifts the participants experienced, such as more patience, deeper gratitude, a lighter way of meeting difficulties, and above all, a stronger connection with their own innate goodness.
It was a delight to witness these transformations, and to be reminded once again that the qualities we nurture truly shape the life we live.
I’ll be holding another eight-week Awakening Joy course in 2026, in Brunswick, Melbourne (dates to be confirmed). The course is a wonderful opportunity to join a warm, supportive community and discover how feeding the “good wolf” can open you up to more ease, connection and genuine joy in your everyday life. Feel free to get in touch with me directly if you’d like more information about the course.