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.

Former_Member
Not applicable

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

AMEN Denise! Thank you, I needed that this morning. I have been trying to participate in other teams & yes, have encountered all of the above & then some... THANK YOU for being here & participating.... to Denise & all of you. We are what make this team a place of comfort.
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Former_Member
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Re: For those feeling defeated, yet again...

Couldn't have said it better myself Denise and Roxie.. Have a Beautiful Day Team!
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Former_Member
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Re: For those feeling defeated, yet again...

Thank you for the story!
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Former_Member
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Re: For those feeling defeated, yet again...

Denise... it is not often someone touches my struggle as an artist like you have done with this timely story.

So a sincere thanks and throw
me another shovel full of dirt!

Best wishes,
RT
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Re: For those feeling defeated, yet again...

Lovely message!
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Former_Member
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Re: For those feeling defeated, yet again...

Newest inspirational line:

It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not.
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Former_Member
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Re: For those feeling defeated, yet again...

I like that one Roxie!!
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Former_Member
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Re: For those feeling defeated, yet again...

Thank you for posting this.

By the way, sorry for not being so active lately. I have been really busy!
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Former_Member
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Re: For those feeling defeated, yet again...

yes nice story thank you
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YarningKnots
Inspiration Seeker

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

Is that story trying to call me old? ;D
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Former_Member
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Re: For those feeling defeated, yet again...

Hahahaha @ Shola. Love it!
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Former_Member
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Re: For those feeling defeated, yet again...

Thanks, Denise! I needed some inspiration today and this was it! It is a true metaphor of what life can be like....isn't it? We have to just continue "stepping up".
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Former_Member
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Re: For those feeling defeated, yet again...

<3
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Former_Member
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Re: For those feeling defeated, yet again...

Thank you for the beautiful story Denise!
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Former_Member
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Re: For those feeling defeated, yet again...

Wow that was really inspirational! I'm so glad i found this post...it realy made a difference cause i was feeling down today. Life threw a lot of dirt on my back lately...but every difficulty is a stepping stone. It is. Thanks for this story!
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Re: For those feeling defeated, yet again...

<3 Much love to you all. Life can have complicated twists and turns...
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Former_Member
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Re: For those feeling defeated, yet again...

Aww thats lovely !
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Former_Member
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Re: For those feeling defeated, yet again...

Last night, my boyfriend fell asleep to the PBS channel. After the program he was watching finshed, something else came on. It was a fund raiser with a guy named Wayne Dyer. He said a few things that were intersting. One of the things he mentioned was something in the Bible about how Jesus began calling upon things that were not real as if they were (I'm paraphrasing here. I don't quite remember exactly how he said it). But the point was that we have to believe it so that we can see it. He want on to talk about how ths was contrary to the popular saying or belief that people will believe it when they see it. So we should behave as if the things we want are real. For example, when he set out to write his book, he got a book jacket made for it before he began to write. He put his book jacket over a book, it didn't really matter which book. And he placed it where he did his work so that it would be visible every day. This stood out to me because people are always talking about one day they will have or do certain things, but they never believe in their selves. It also felt applicable to my shop. I want it to be a success. But I don't think I have been approaching it as if it already is a success. For me, this message was a wake up call to believe in my success first in order to make it happen, and not the other way around. So I thought I would share this with you too since many of us are in the same situations.
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Former_Member
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Re: For those feeling defeated, yet again...

Thank you Betty! I needed this today & I TOTALLY agree! See where you want to be & push yourself in that direction slowly but surely. Thank you for sharing!
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CanyonRiver
Inspiration Seeker

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

thank you Denise for such an uplifting story. There's something to learn from such an inspiring story. I'm hanging in there with my sales. Hope to sell something soon.
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LaBelleGifts
Inspiration Seeker

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

Very insightful, Betty ~ very well said, & thank you for giving my faith a boost today ;)
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Re: For those feeling defeated, yet again...

Wow! Betty, that is very insightful indeed! Thank you for sharing that!
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Former_Member
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Re: For those feeling defeated, yet again...

Betty you are right on and the guy you refer to is Dr. Wayne Dyer, I have been following him for years. When a friend gave me a book of his. It truly changed my life. The interesting thing about Dr. Dyer is success is only half the story. I would suggest looking him up and finding some of his work. Once you start reading the books this man has published it will blow you away the changes you will want to make in your life. He frequently does PBS specials and each time I am shocked at the new things that it opens up in my mind and then in my life.
It is awesome that you choose to share this with us.
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Former_Member
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Re: For those feeling defeated, yet again...

Hi My name is Cathy and I have just opened up an Etsy shop. I am an artist. but have no clue how to promote my business or get my first sale. I would love any suggestions you have. Looking forward to meeting all of you.

By the way I love Wayne Dyer too!
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Former_Member
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Re: For those feeling defeated, yet again...

this is great advice :)
I'm still waiting on my first sale so this makes me feel better when I read it.
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