Be positive when facing difficulties

The mule fell into his farmer’s dry well. The farmer heard the mule praying. 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. He called his neighbours together, told them what had happened, and requested them to help in burying the old mule in the well.

Initially the old mule was hysterical! But as the farmer and his neighbours continued shovelling and the dirt hit his back, a thought struck the mule. Every time a shovel load of dirt landed on the mule’s back, it would shake it off and step up.

Blow after blow, the mule shook the dirt off and stepped up! 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… all because of the manner in which it handled the adversity.

THAT’S LIFE!

We need to face our problems and respond to them positively, and refuse to give in to panic, bitterness, or self-pity.