Every now and then, a great story or poem comes into our life that really touches us. I thought all of you would like this. Enjoy! Happy reading!

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 God.

Step 1 – Make your top 10 list

In your lifetime there have been high points and low points. We all have them. It’s time right now to focus on your high points and make a “top 10” list of the things you have done right.

While you are making this list your mind might fill with negative thoughts — thoughts about what you have done wrong or where you have failed. If that happens just say a gentle “no” under your breath and focus again on your victories.

Here is my top 10 list. This is highly personal and a little bit chronological. Your list does not need to be chronological but it’s okay if it is. There is no wrong way to make your list. This is your personal achievement list so any order will do.

These were Charlie’s top 10 that he shared so it can give you some ideas to think of with your own:

Just put the most important item at the top.

1. Accepting Christ as my savior

2. Marrying my wonderful wife when I was just 19

3. Having two wonderful children when we were told we never would

4. Sending them both through college without borrowing any money

5. Starting my own business at 31

6. Overcoming a terrible illness and being restored to health

7. Buying the Directory of Ezines after being a member only 18 months

8. Beginning to write books

9. Discovering how to automate my business to create free time

10. Losing 35 pounds and keeping it off for a year

Step 2 – Print out your top 10 list

Be it printed from a word processor, in your own handwriting (this is better) or on your phone, keep your list where you can get to it at all times. I started out putting mine on a 3 X 5 card and kept it in my pocket. As time and technology progressed I’ve had it on my screen saver, my Palm Pilot and now on my iPhone.

The key here is to have it handy at all times. In the beginning you will need it more than after you have practiced how to use it and have it memorized.

Now, here’s one way to use your list. There is no wrong way, this is just my favorite one.

Step 3 – Use the “yes, but” technique

This idea is simple but powerful. If you do this for seven days I believe you will see a dramatic improvement in your outlook and get more done too. That’s a win-win!

Every time you have a negative thought about yourself (or someone says something negative to you about yourself) take out your list and say to yourself “yes, but look what I did here!” And then spend a moment reliving one of your top 10 victories.

If you choose one of your victories that relates to the current negative thought so much the better. But it really doesn’t matter. What does matter is that you learn to respond to any and every negative with a positive.

It’s sad but true, the world seems designed to beat us down. Many people only feel they can win when we lose. The news is full of mostly bad stories. So it is our job to overcome those things and keep our thinking right and our attitude up.

When we do that we can break through to new levels of achievement and personal power that we never experienced before. And that is a beautiful thing indeed!

I have joined with them in this amazing opportunity! Listen to Rachel Jackson’s interview on why you should do this with me!