A Lesson In Overcoming Adviesity

There was a man who owned an old hound. The hound fell into a large hole
that he simply could not get out of. The man heard the hound barking and
after assessing the situation, the man felt sorry for the hound, but decided
that due to the risks, the hound was just not worth saving.


Instead, he called his neighbors together, told them what had happened,
and enlisted them to help haul dirt to bury the hound in the hole and put
him out of his misery.


Initially the hound was hysterical! But as the man 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!” barking to encourage himself.
No matter how painful the blows, or how distressing the situation seemed,
the old hound fought panic and just kept right on SHAKING IT OFF AND STEPPING UP!


It wasn't long before the old hound, battered and exhausted, stepped triumphantly
over the edge of that hole! What seemed like it would bury him actually helped 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.


Never let anything keep you down!