Catalyst Quotes

“Shake it Off, Stomp it Down, and Step Up”

A story is told of a farmer whose mule fell into an abandoned well.   After numerous unsuccessful attempts to get the mule out of the well, the farmer decided it was a hopeless situation.   With sadness, the farmer figured that the only humane thing to do would be to haul truckloads of dirt to bury the old mule, while filling in the dangerous well, at the same time.

He backed up the truck, and began to shovel in the dirt.   The old mule, however, went berserk when the first load of dirt hit its back.   That old mule started shaking off the dirt, stomping it down and stepping up a bit.  Another shovel full of dirt caused the mule to shake off the dirt and firmly stomp it down.   Truckload after truckload, the old mule repeated the same process.   It shook off the dirt, stomped it down and stepped up a bit.  Little by little, that mule was lifting itself out of the hole.

No matter how distressing the situation seemed, the old mule fought off panic when it realized that no matter how much was dumped on its back all it had to do was shake it off, stomp it down and step up.   And, guess what?  It wasn’t too long before the old mule, battered and exhausted, triumphantly stepped out of the well.

Have you ever noticed that there are different ways people have of dealing with the problems that life dumps on them?   If we respond to our problems positively, and refuse to panic, or fall further into bitterness and despair, the adversities that come along to bury us usually contain within them the potential to benefit and bless us!  Rather than burying us, the adversities and criticisms can make us better, lifting us up, bit by bit.     (Unknown)

Don’t Give Up

“How we handle our tough times stays with us for a long time.  … don’t give up.   Don’t make the mistake of Florence Chadwick.   In 1952 she attempted to swim the chilly ocean waters between Catalina Island and the California shore.  She swam through foggy weather and choppy seas for fifteen hours.   Her muscles began to cramp, and her resolve weakened.   She begged to be taken out of the water, but her mother, riding in a boat alongside, urged her not to give up.  She kept trying but grew exhausted and stopped swimming.   Aids lifted her out of the water and into the boat.   They paddled a few more minutes, the mist broke, and she discovered that the shore was less than a half mile away.   ‘All I could see was the fog,’ she explained at a news conference.   ‘I think if I could have seen the shore, I would have made it.”  Take a long look at the shore that awaits you.   Don’t be fooled by the fog of the slump.  The finish may be only strokes away.”     (Facing Your Giants, Max Lucado)

“A prominent salesman summed up his success in three simple words – and then some.   ‘I discovered at an early age,’ he said, ‘that most of the differences between average and top people could be explained in three words.  The top people did what was expected of them – and then some.  They were thoughtful of others; they were considerate and kind – and then some.   They met their obligations and responsibilities fairly and squarely – and then some.'”     (Author Unknown)

“The difficult can be done immediately, the impossible takes a little longer.”     (The Army Corp of Engineers)