A farmer owned an old mule that fell into a well.
After assessing the situation, the farmer reluctantly concluded that neither the mule nor the well was worth saving. Instead, he called his neighbors together and enlisted them to help bury the old mule in the well and put him out of his misery.

Initially the old mule was frantic, but as the dirt kept hitting his back,
something happened. It dawned on the mule that every time a shovel
load landed on his back, he should SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP UP!
This he did, blow after blow. Shake it off and step up...Shake it off
and step up. No matter how painful the blows or how distressing the
situation, the old mule fought panic and just kept right on
SHAKING IT OFF AND STEPPING UP!

Before long, the old mule, battered and exhausted,
stepped triumphantly through the mouth of that well. What seemed
like it would bury him, actually helped him...All because
of how he handled his adversity.

Such is life. If we face our problems and respond to them positively, refusing to surrender to panic, bitterness, or self-pity, the adversities that come along to bury us usually possess the potential to benefit us in some unexpected way.

Hurricane Charley and now Hurricane Francis have demolished much of Florida yet it is the resilience of the people that is truly amazing. Changes that come about after life changing adversity require hope and perseverance.

My sister Wendy battles her MS symptoms every day. My brother has overcome a myriad of challenges both personally and professionally. My sister Bonnie has faced challenges as she started her own business. People everyday are learning to find ways to "SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP UP" to find hope and strength in their hearts and spirits to face the new day.