Facing Difficulties, Positively
Perhaps you’ve heard this cornball parable before if not, read on, if so, read on anyways… suck it up, it’s not going to kill you… I thought the story apt for both me and you dear reader, because most of us come into contact with Mules daily and so the story would really hit home and resonate deeply for all of us.
A 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.
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.
So there it is then, when our inner mules fall down our metaphysical wells, we can shrug off the dirt & debris which is intended to bury us and emerge triumphant…
Digging deeper into the story reveals the hidden truths, mainly, what I get from it is;
Who the hell cares about mules, yea Ok, mule mothers but other than them… When was the last time any of you fell down a well? When was the last time anyone you know fell down a well? When was the last time you even saw a well? Do wells even exist anymore? Who is the story for? I’m sure if you have a history of mule in the well troubles, you’ve figured out how to make it all good (own less stupid mules, perhaps a fence around your well, for starters) – But I need practical advice I can use, not donkey drama & burrow bothers….
How do you actually get down to shaking off the dirt and stepping up, I guess we all need to find our own particular dirt shimmy, discover what works for you. It’s a constant struggle between the very forces of good and evil, depression and elation… up one minute and down the next. I think the important part, is to keep trying because without that… you’re gonna end up one dead, defeated, jackass.
Have a Great Day.