Personal Responsibility

Personal Responsibility is one of the main keys to good character development. When people do not acknowledge their own actions and feelings for good or bad, it creates a victim like mentality. By teaching children to recognize the dual nature within them, we help to end the cycle of “It’s not my fault!”

Read this Cherokee Tale to the class:

Two Wolves - A Cherokee Tale

A Cherokee is telling his grandson about a fight
that is going on inside himself.
He said it is between 2 wolves.

One is evil: Anger, envy, sorrow, regret,
fearful thinking, greed, arrogance, self-pity,
guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies,
false pride, superiority and ego.

The other is good: Joy, peace, love, hope, serenity,
humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity,
truth, compassion and faith.

The grandson thought about it for a minute
and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf wins?"

The Cherokee simply replied, "The one I feed."

~ Author Unknown ~

Activities:

·      Ask the student for examples of when they have feed both wolves. Give your own personal examples. This helps the students understand that everyone struggles with emotions.

·      Have the students draw both of their wolves and list examples of behavior for each of their wolves.

·      What things can the students do to keep the good wolf well fed so that the bad wolf stays away?

·      Is it easier to recognize which wolf is active in other people or yourself? Why?