My dear son,
As we all journey through life, we are bound to meet with so many challenges and difficulties, which will test our ability to cope or to surmount these challenges.
This parable is told of a farmer who owned an old mule. The mule fell into the farmer’s well. The farmer heard the mule braying loudly. 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 tried not to panic, but 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! And what seemed like a situation that would bury him actually helped him, all because of the manner in which he handled his adversity.
THAT’S LIFE! We should strive to face our problems and respond to them positively, and refuse to give in to panic, bitterness, or self-pity. (Author unknown)
So my dear boy, life is no bed of roses. It has its ups and downs.
When challenges come, it is best to face them squarely and positively.