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It Off |
A parable is told of a farmer who owned an old mule. The mule fell
into the farmer's well. The farmer heard the mule 'braying'- or-
whatever mules do when they fall into wells. After carefully
assessing the situation, the farmer sympathized with the mule, but
decided that neither the mule nor the well was worth the trouble
of saving. Instead, he called his neighbors together and told them
what had happened...and enlisted them to help haul dirt to bury
the old mule in the well and put him out of his misery.
Initially, the old mule was hysterical! But as the farmer and his
neighbors continued shoveling and the dirt hit his back...a thought
struck him. It suddenly dawned on him that every time a shovel load
of dirt landed on his back...HE SHOULD SHAKE IT OFF AND
STEP UP! This he did, blow after blow.
"Shake it off and step up...shake it off and step up...shake it
off and step up!" he repeated to encourage himself. No matter how
painful the blows, or distressing the situation seemed the old mule
fought "panic" and just kept right on SHAKING IT OFF AND
STEPPING UP!
You're right! It wasn't long before the old mule, battered and
exhausted, STEPPED TRIUMPHANTLY OVER THE WALL OF
THAT WELL! What seemed like would bury him, actually blessed him...
all because of the manner in which he handled his adversity.
That's Life! If we face our problems and respond to them positively,
and refuse to give in to panic, bitterness, or self-pity...
THE ADVERSITIES THAT COME ALONG TO BURY US
USUALLY HAVE WITHIN THEM THE POTENTIAL TO
BENEFIT AND BLESS US!
-- Unknown |
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