This parable is
told of a farmer who owned an old mule. The mule fell into the farmer’s well.
The farmer heard the mule praying 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, 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.
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 how distressing the
situation seemed, the old mule fought panic and just kept right on SHAKING IT
OFF AND STEPPING UP!
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 WOULD 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 how distressing the
situation seemed, the old mule fought panic and just kept right on SHAKING IT
OFF AND STEPPING UP!
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 helped 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 we will spring up from any depth.” All that’s required is a
decision to fight back and give our 100%; the Universe takes care of the rest!
AS THEY SAY, WHEN WE ARE COMMITTED THE
PROVIDENCE MOVES!