Every once in awhile you hear a fun story that speaks to the adversity we deal with in our lives- this story has a great message!

Shake it Off and Step Up

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.

Such is life. If we face our problems and respond to them positively, refusing to surrender to panic, bitterness, or self-pity, the adversities that come along to bury us usually possess the potential to benefit us.