Words to live by -- or make you think

I’m a thinker. Sometimes I may think too much and I’m sure other times I don’t think enough, either or here are some thoughts that may get you to thinking as well.

Having a chronic illness is not a pleasant thing. Some of us are “hit” harder than others. Some of us dwell too much on the negative and that it’s a life threatening disease; you must remember with proper treatment pulmonary hypertension is a doable disease. Being or thinking negative thoughts can possibly make things worse for us. Being anxious is not a good thing when you are sick; so shake it off and always take a step up.

A few years ago, this was sent to me. I don’t know who wrote it but it is an inspiration. One of those priceless moments.

One day a farmer's donkey fell down into a large well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer looked down into the well and tried to figure out what to do.

Finally, he decided that the animal was way too old, and the well was useless and just needed to be covered up anyway; it just wasn't worth it to retrieve the old donkey.

He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him. They each grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well. At first, the donkey realized what was happening and loudly cried.
Then, to everyone's amazement he got very quiet.

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 on the dirt.

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!

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 time.

Each of our troubles is a steppingstone. We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping and never giving up!

Shake it off and always take a step up.

And don't forget to smile -- it is contagious.