For those feeling defeated, yet again...

When I read this it immediately made me think of our team. We all face our challenges, and we all have to manage our feelings of defeat. May this bring you some measure of peace today. (((hugs))) denise

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 shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well. He was astonished at what he saw. With each 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 happily trotted off!

MORAL :
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 steppingstone. 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:

1. Free your heart from hatred - Forgive.

2. Free your mind from worries - Most never happens.

3. Live simply and appreciate what you have.

4. Give more.

5. Expect less from people but more from yourself.

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Plantcycled
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Re: For those feeling defeated, yet again...

I love this thank you for posting such a wonderful story for encouragement. I hope the holidays will list everyones spirits.
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Former_Member
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Re: For those feeling defeated, yet again...

Okay, I can see how this COULD be a nice store for encouragement, but it just made me sad. I would have been the neighbor that saved the poor donkey and called the ASPCA on that horrible farmer. And my fiance said he would beat the **** out of the farmer.

Sorry, but I tend to love animals more than I love people at times.
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Re: For those feeling defeated, yet again...

Mindy - I totally would save the donkey, too. We are animal lovers to the core...having two dogs, a cat and a horse as part of our family currently. In the past we've had chinchillas, guinea pigs, hamsters, mice, rabbits, fish and even lizards. ;)

I had no intention of bringing anyone down with that post. It was purely to reflect on the way we can turn a situation around.

Sorry. :/
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Former_Member
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Re: For those feeling defeated, yet again...

Thank you Denise for posting this. I ABSOLUTELY AGREE that our troubles, stumbling blocks, etc... are what build us up to what we will be. It is sticking with it that we will find success...

One of my favorite quotes from my nephew is "the only place success comes before work is in the dictionary"......
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Former_Member
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Re: For those feeling defeated, yet again...

I loved this, I actually sent it to some close friends for extra encouragement.
and posted it on another team I am on, it's great for that much needed boost.
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Former_Member
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Re: For those feeling defeated, yet again...

I don't think this post brought anyone down, if you are reading it like it's written you will see the encouragement in it, and the happiness of the donkey making his way out.. It's an happy ending story full of encouragement.
THANK YOU DENISE FOR POSTING THIS!!!
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Re: For those feeling defeated, yet again...

Nice Denise.It is really good encouragement story. Thank you for posting this.
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Former_Member
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Re: For those feeling defeated, yet again...

Blessings on you Denise for wanting to encourage all of the rest of us! That is a very caring and giving thing to do - I really appreciate it - the story and also the five steps at the bottom - Thanks again!
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Re: For those feeling defeated, yet again...

Bless you, Denise.
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Former_Member
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Re: For those feeling defeated, yet again...

Denise this is too funny my husband just shared this story with me as my daughter had posted it on her facebook page and I was thinking of sharing it here. So glad someone else thought of it too. It is a good story and really helped me to stay motivated. Thank you for sharing.
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Former_Member
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Re: For those feeling defeated, yet again...

Roxie, I love the quote you shared from your nephew that is great. Those are exactly the positive thoughts we all need to have. Thank you for sharing
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Former_Member
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Re: For those feeling defeated, yet again...

We need a way to highlight posts so they stay at the top of the forum (EDIT: oh wait. We can.). Thank you Denise!
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Former_Member
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Re: For those feeling defeated, yet again...

Thank you. This is much needed for me right now!
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Re: For those feeling defeated, yet again...

Thank you, really needed this story :)
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Former_Member
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Re: For those feeling defeated, yet again...

Another one from my nephew from today:

Forget about all the reason why something may not work, you only need to find a reason why it will.

Come visit our treasury game or black friday sale threads & get involved! We love spreading the love ;)
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Re: For those feeling defeated, yet again...

Love that,, Roxie! Thanks for sharing!
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Former_Member
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Re: For those feeling defeated, yet again...

Oh my gosh, I love love this!!!! It's perfect for everyone too :) thank you
Marisa
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Former_Member
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Re: For those feeling defeated, yet again...

I keep wanting to hit the "Like" button on here! LOL!!
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Former_Member
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Re: For those feeling defeated, yet again...

Thank you, this was beautiful!
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Re: For those feeling defeated, yet again...

Hi, I just joined the team and this is the first thing I read on here, its beautiful and thankyou so much for sharing :-)
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Re: For those feeling defeated, yet again...

Thank you Denise!
What an encouraging story.
I needed that today
:)
Sharyl
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Former_Member
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Re: For those feeling defeated, yet again...

Wow! What a great story! Thank you for sharing!
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Re: For those feeling defeated, yet again...

Denise, this is a sad, and beautiful story. Sad for donkey being treated like that. And yet, very encouraging. I am going to post it on my Facebook. I will refer it to you. Thank you!
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Re: For those feeling defeated, yet again...

It is a sad story - though the analogy between the donkey's plight and our own life paths is sometimes spot on. I think what struck me a bit was that in reading other team discussions there is another similarity. Much like the donkey, we may find ourselves dealing with a life or business situation that is no real fault of our own. We sort of 'step into things' as we figure out our businesses. Sometimes, others around who may have an opportunity to offer support or ideas instead make things worse. I've actually watched people get sort of ganged up on when they ask a question. Not HERE on this team, but there are others that do...I'm sure many of you have been witness to those threads.

And so, what do we do with all that 'dirt' that is shoveled in our direction every day - things like the lack of sales, negative feedback from a customer, family's who aren't as supportive as we might like, being overwhelmed by trying to figure out tagging and keywords and titles, etc.?

We may choose to close up shop - and sometimes that is the right answer for us - but sometimes the answer is to just shake it off and keep going.
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