As we enter into 2013, I wanted to share
with you this story that I read on a friend’s
Facebook page, regarding a farmer and his donkey.
One day a farmer's donkey fell down into a
well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out
what to do. Finally, he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be
covered up anyway; it just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey.
He invited all his
neighbors to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to
shovel dirt into the well. At first, the donkey realized what was happening and
cried horribly. Then, to everyone's amazement he quieted down.
A few shovel loads
later, the farmer finally looked down the well. He was astonished at what he
saw. With each shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something
amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up.
As the farmer's
neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off
and take a step up. Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up
over the edge of the well and happily trotted off!
The moral of the story is:
Life is going to
shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick to getting out of the well is
to shake it off and take a step up. Each of our troubles is a steppingstone. We
can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping, never giving up! Shake
it off and take a step up.
As we begin
this new year, I would like you to remember five simple rules to be happy:
1. Free your heart from hatred - Forgive.2. Free your mind from worries - Most never happens.
3. Live simply and appreciate what you have.
4. Give more (that one extra degree).
5. Expect less from people but more from yourself.
