The Farmer's 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 shovels later, the farmer finally looked down the well and was astonished at what he saw. With every 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 trotted off!

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 stepping-stone. We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping, never giving up! Shake it off and take a step up!

Remember the five simple rules to be happy:
Free your heart from hatred
Free your mind from worries
Live simply
Give more
Expect less

-Shelly

Happy People Dancing

As we are ending the year 2008, I thought I would pay tribute to one of my favorite links of all time. They are 3 semi-short videos from Stride Gum. It is of Matt’s Place. The entire website is dedicated to ‘happy people’ dancing. Despite political boundaries, cultures and customs, we are essentially the same. We want peace and enjoyment out of life.

http://www.stridegum.com/#/mattsplace/. [Once on the website, click on the 2008 picture, you will then be able to move through the three videos by way of the right and left arrows.] No one can stay angry or mad if they are dancing with all their heart. One of the ways we display happiness is by dancing. Look at the joy in each person’s face as they exhibit their enthusiasm and vigor.

Lynn and I hope 2009 will bring all of us, despite our vast differences, plenty of tolerance and oodles of love.
-Shelly