There was this old man who lived far out in the countryside. One day he decided to buy him a little puppy because he had become lonely living so far away from people. He brought a brand new little puppy home one day who was innocent and new nothing about the world. Upon arrival at the old man's home the little puppy had a tight leash put around his neck along with a 15 ft chain. This was terribly uncomfortable for the puppy. Later that afternoon the puppy saw all the animals playing out on the country side and he wanted to play too. So all at once he bolted from the porch and began to run to them. The puppy only got so far, 15 ft to be exact when all of a sudden he was snatched back violently by the chain. The puppy whimpered as the leash grasped tightly around his neck. His body ached from the harsh pull of the chain. With head lowered he managed back on the porch and sat down and rested. Years went by and everyday the animals would be playing out in the country side and the puppy would jump up and start running towards them so eager to play only to be met with the same outcome. PAIN, SADNESS, DEPRESSION, AND DESPAIR. A few more years went by and the puppy was now a full grown dog. The old man came outside and told the dog, " you have been a loyal companion of mine and I will now set you free to roam my countryside." The old man released the chain from the dog's collar and the dog could feel the weight of that chain release from his body. The old man released the collar from the dogs neck and he could feel the tightness of the collar release from his neck. So much better without all that weight the dog said to himself. Later that afternoon, like every afternoon before the dog saw all the animals playing out in the countryside. Instead of running out to greet them he slowly started walking towards them very cautiously. As soon as he got exactly 15 ft he stopped. He could feel the weight of the chain off his back, he could feel the collar free from his neck. Yet 15 ft and he just stopped and sat down. For years the dog suffered and had been conditioned that 15ft was his limit. He knew exactly with or without a chain how many feet it took to get to his painful experience. He did not want to experience that pain ever again and yet if he would have taken that 16th step he would have realized what freedom really meant. How sad and yet how true for so many of us. We have been conditioned from past negative experiences and do not dare to test the 16th step for fear of pain. When we start utilizing our problems as positive ways of learning more about our self. Gaining strength through adversity, and always relying on faith and self worth....We Grow. many people look at problems that come along their path to reach self happiness as a risk to scary to take. I look at problems as one less hurdle to climbing towards my final destination. Life will meet you half way....but you got to take that 16th step to take what life truly has to offer.........

Nice story so beautiful said .

Excellent analogy.

i think i'll just stick to getting maced by women when i ask them on a date...

I really enjoyed reading your story. And how true the story can be.

Excellent encourgement. TY.

I loved the story!! That 16th step can be a real hurdle for some!! Thx

So true!

Your story was so inspiring, i like your outlook on life. Truly one can't grow as a person without adversity.

Thank you all for your comments. Just thought I could help somebody out there start thinking about changing your life....Only if it was just one. Have a great Sunday

Ive done it all my life and will keep on keeping on because life is beautiful!!

well said Amen.

a quote from an unknown source "Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we're here we should dance."