SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP UP
 
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 it 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 TOBENEFIT AND BLESS US!
 
Remember that FORGIVENESS--FAITH--PRAYER--PRAISE and HOPE...all are
excellent ways to "SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP UP" out of the wells in which  we
find ourselves!
 
 ~Author Unknown