One day, a farmer’s donkey fell into a well. The animal cried loudly for hours, while the farmer tried to find a way to get him out.

Finally, the farmer decided it was hopeless. He reasoned that the donkey was old and the well was dry and needed to be covered anyway. It wasn't worth the trouble of trying to pull the donkey out.

He invited all his neighbors to come help him. They each grabbed a shovel and began to throw dirt into the well.

The donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly loud. Then, to everyone's surprise, he quieted down after a few shovelfuls of dirt.

Eventually, the farmer looked down into the well and was amazed at what he saw. With each shovelful of dirt, the donkey did something incredible: It shook off the dirt and stepped on top of it.

Very soon everyone was surprised to see the donkey reach the mouth of the well, jump over the edge, and trot out.

Life is going to throw dirt at you; all kinds of dirt. The trick to getting out of the hole is to shake it off and use it to step up. Each of our problems is a step up. We can get out of the deepest holes if we don't give up.

Use the dirt thrown you to get ahead!!!

Remember the 5 rules for happiness:

1. Free your heart from hate.

2. Free your mind of distractions.

3. Simplify your life.

4. Give more and expect less.

5. Love more and shake off the dirt, because in this life you have to be the solution, not the problem!

Author Unknown