Shake it Off and Step up...

In the Life Coaching work I love to do with people, occasionally someone asks me "really deep questions" (different from the more common question of "what can I do to make more money" - which gets old after a while, since your income isn't about your "doing" anything, as much as it's about who you're "being", but hey - that's why they pay me...)about dealing with all the different crap life throws at you. I like to use this story as a starting point for our conversation.

Shake It Off And Step Up (Author Unknown)

A 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' - 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!

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.

THAT'S LIFE! If we face our problems and respond to them positively, and refuse to give in to panic, bitterness, or self-pity...The adversities that come along to bury us also offer us the possibility of helping and blessing us. Remember that forgiveness, hope and positive re-framing...all are excellent ways to "SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP UP" out of the wells in which we find ourselves!

It's hard when we find ourselves in the midst of a crisis to step outside, be a witness of what's happening (to us) and gain a little wider perspective. This is a great skill to cultivate, and a great affirmation to use daily. "Whatever is happening to me now has a greater purpose and value. I can learn and grow from it."

Today I choose growth over self-pity or doubt.