The Old Mule

A farmer owned an old mule that fell into a well. After assessing the situation, the farmer reluctantly concluded that neither the mule nor the well was worth saving. Instead, he called his neighbors together and enlisted them to help bury the old mule in the well and put him out of his misery.

Initially the old mule was frantic, but as the dirt kept hitting his back, something happened. It dawned on the mule that every time a shovel load 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. No matter how painful the blows or how distressing the situation, the old mule fought panic and just kept right on SHAKING IT OFF AND STEPPING UP!

Before long, the old mule, battered and exhausted, stepped triumphantly through the mouth of that well. What seemed like it would bury him, actually helped him…all because of how he handled his adversity.”

Our lives are sometimes like the old mule. We have adversities that come our way. The key is responding to them positively, not giving in to panic, self-pity or bitterness. As you begin your day, take a few minutes to think about how you are handling the adversities that may be weighing you down. Are you giving into them with doubt or are you responding to them positively?

Don’t forget the actions of the old mule – SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP UP!