The Farmer and The Old Mule

The mule fell into the farmer's well. The farmer heard the mule 'braying' 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 and 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 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... shake it off and step up!" he repeated to encourage himself. No matter how painful the blows, or distressing the situation seemed the old mule fought "panic" and just kept right on shaking it off and stepping up!

You're right! 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 blessed him.

All because of the manner in which he handled his adversity.

While the story above does make us smile, it does have wisdom in it. How we handle adversity determines our success in life. One of my favorite quotes on adversity is, "Adversity is a fact of life. It can't be controlled. What we can control is how we react to it." When faced with adversity we can give up and adopt the poor me attitude. Or we can look at adversity as an opportunity to find other ways to do things. We can be determined, persistent and persevere. It all comes down to your choice - and it is a choice of attitude! While reflecting on this story consider the following quotes on adversity:



"Adversity causes some men to break, others to break records." - William A. Ward

"Every adversity, every failure, every heartache carries with it the seed of an equal or greater benefit." - Napoleon Hill

"Obstacles can't stop you. Problems can't stop you. Most of all other people can't stop you. Only you can stop you." - Jeffrey Gitomer

"Adversity precedes growth." - Rosemarie Rossett

"Prosperity is a great teacher; Adversity is a greater." - Hazlitt

"Show me someone who has done something worthwhile, and I'll show you someone who has overcome adversity." - Lou Holtz

"There is no better than adversity. Every defeat, every heartbreak, every loss, contains its own seed, its own lesson on how to improve your performance the next time." - Og Mandino