the pit

[constantine]

the
bigger
the hole,

the more
dirt to
fill it

[Lightning Rod]

as molly ivins was fond of saying:

"when you find yourself in a hole, the thing to do is Quit Digging"

[Doreen Peri]

Reminds me of the "Shake it off and step up" mule parable, often shared as a spiritually uplifting story for those who suffer from depression or inability to get out of the rut they are in.

Once upon a time there was a farmer who had an old mule. The mule fell into a deep dry well and began to cry loudly. Hearing his mule cry, the farmer came over and assessed the situation. The well was deep and the mule was heavy. He knew it would be difficult, if not impossible, to lift the animal out.

Because the mule was old and the well was dry, the farmer decided to bury the animal in the well. In this way he could solve two problems: put the old mule out of his misery and have his well filled.

He called upon his neighbors to help him and they agreed to help. To work they went. Shovel full of dirt after shovel full of dirt began to fall on the mule’s back. He became hysterical. Then all of a sudden an idea came to the mule. Each time they would throw a shovel full of dirt on his back he could shake it off and step up. Shovel full after shovel full, the mule would shake it off and step up. Now exhausted and dirty, but quite alive, the mule stepped over the top of the well and walked through the crowd.

A great attitude. A great way to approach life. Shake it off and step up. Too often we hold on to what has happened to us.

Also reminds me of the teaspoon story... a similar story about someone trying to dig themselves out of a hole with a teaspoon. They ask for a shovel because it's taking too long, but then they realize that the more they dig, the deeper they go.

Shake it off and step up! That's the way to do it when you're so low you don't feel like you can get out of the pit.

Of course, your poem said it more succinctly.

[hester_prynne]

Indeed, fresh out from a hole, I found that building myself a ladder out and not stopping at it until I was finished with it, worked really well.....

H

[emel.scott]

I'm stuck in this hole "Get me the hell out of here!"

[sweetwater]

aphorism

[mnaz]

such economy.
perfect.
and speaking of the economy..

the bigger the hole,
the more we borrow
against it.

[sweetwater]

this is of great interest!