A Parable for Living with CMT

[Guest guest]

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 happy 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

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 happen.

3. Live simply and appreciate what you have.

4. Give more.

5. Expect less

[Guest guest]

Gretchen,

This was great. Even without CMT this is great for everyone. I sent it to

all my friends. Again, I can't thank you enough for all you do for us. I

learn more from you and this group than I ever did from my neurologist.

Kathy in Minnesota