The Law of the Garbage Truck

How often do you let other people's moods change your mood? Do you let a bad driver, rude waiter, curt boss, or an insensitive employee ruin your day? Unless you're extremely laid back, you're probably taken aback. However, the mark of a successful person is how quickly one can get back your focus on what's important.

Years ago I learned this lesson in the back of a taxi cab in Indianapolis.

Here's what happened: I hopped in a taxi, and we headed for the airport . We were driving in the right lane when, all of a sudden, a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other car's back end by inches!

The driver of the other car, the guy who almost caused a big accident, whipped his head around and he started yelling bad words at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was truly being friendly.

So, I said, "Why were you so nice? That guy almost totaled your cab and sent us to the hospital!"

And this is when my taxi driver told me "The Law of the Garbage Truck."

He said: "Many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage -- full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it. And if you encounter them, they might just dump it on you. Well, when someone wants to dump on you, don't take it personally. Just take it. Smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. You'll be happy you did."

It got me thinking: How often do Garbage Trucks run right over me? And how often do I take their garbage and then spread it to other people, be it at work, at home, on the streets? That day I decided, "I'm not going to do spread it anymore."

I began to see garbage trucks. Like in the movie "The Sixth Sense," in which the little boy said, "I see Dead People." Well, now I see Garbage Trucks. I see the loads people are carrying. And when I see them coming to drop it off -- like my Taxi Driver -- I don't make it a personal thing. I just smile, wave, wish them well, and I move on.

Good leaders know they have to be ready for their next meeting. Good parents know that they have to welcome their children home from school with hugs and kisses. And good friends know they have to be available. These good leaders and good parents and good friends know that they have to be fully present and at their best for the people they care about.

The bottom line is that successful people do not let Garbage Trucks take over their day. What about you? What would happen in your life, starting today, if you let more garbage trucks dump their loads and then continue on?

You'll be happier.

Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so... love the people who treat you right. And pray for the ones who don't.

Believe that everything happens for a reason. If you get a chance, TAKE IT! If it changes your life, LET IT! Nobody said it would be easy. They just promised it would be worth it!

Find happiness - Find contentment - Find peace - Find God.

And you'll have a blessed day! And bless someone else's day, too!

(Unknown)