Whichever One You Feed

I don't know the origin, but legend has it that a boy and his father were watching two wild dogs poised for attack, one is healthy & strong with a thick, lustrous coat, and bright eyes while the other is mangy, starving, and scarred from many vicious fights.  The boy questions: "Which one will survive..."  The father replies: "Whichever one you feed."  

Today was one of those days where you feel your time and decisions being at odds like those two dogs.  Assurance eluded me and I went from one chore to the next, not accomplishing much.  My breathing felt shallow and rushed , I needed to be in at least two places simultaneously and am tired for no reason.  After too many hours of this I change clothes and go to my elliptical.  I am not really in the mood but have to try to shake my listlessness and the frustration of being tied to other people's priorities.  I commit to 30 minutes.  But, after 17 minutes I know this is the first good choice I have made in the ten hours since I got up.  My breathing evens out and I start mentally checking off the issues that perplexed me earlier.  Five miles later, life is good again.  But, the mangy dog is always on the prowl which is why I have an elliptical and don't keep Ben & Jerry's in my freezer.