of Nablopomo, that is!!! I don't' have much of anything new to put on here today. I can't take credit for the following thing, as it was forwarded to me today. I think it says a lot. Check it out, if you wish. Though we all need a day to unload, every so often, I guess you never want to seem like the "garbage truck".
The Law of The Garbage Truck. How often do you let other people's nonsense change your mood? Do you let a bad driver, rude waiter, curt boss, Or an insensitive employee ruin your day? Unless you're the Terminator, for an instant you're probably set back on your heels. However, the mark of a successful person is how quickly one can get back their focus on what's important. Sixteen years ago I learned this lesson. I learned it in the back of a New York City taxicab. Here's what happened:
I hopped in a taxi, and we took off for Grand Central Station. 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 breaks, skidded, and missed the other car's back end by just 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 really friendly. So, I said, "Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!" And this is when my taxi driver told me what I now call, "The Law of the Garbage Truck".
Many people are like garbage trucks. T hey run around full of garbage, full of frustration and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it. And if you let them, they'll dump it on you.
When someone wants to dump on you, don't take it personally. You just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. You'll be happy you did.
So this was it: "The Law of the Garbage Truck".
I started thinking, how often do I let Garbage Trucks run right over me? And how often do I take their garbage and spread it to other people: At work, at home, on the streets?
It was that day I said, "I'm not going to do it anymore."
I began to see the garbage trucks. Like in the movie "The Sixth Sense," the little boy said, "I see Dead People." Well, now "I see Garbage Trucks."
I see the load they're carrying.
I see them coming to drop it off.
And like my Taxi Driver, I don't make it a personal thing; I just smile, wave, wish them well, and I move on.
One of my favorite football players of all time,Walter Payton, did this every day on the Football field. He would jump up as quickly as he hit the ground after being tackled. He never dwelled on a hit. Payton was ready to make the next play his best.
Good leaders know they have to be ready for their next meeting.
Good parents know that they need to welcome their children home with hugs and kisses. Leaders and parents 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 pass you by?
Here's my bet. You'll be happier.
Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so..
Love the people who treat you right.
Forget about 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.
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14 comments:
I am a huge fatalist so I loved this post. I also believe that holding a grudge only hurts the grudge-holder. Doesn't seem to stop me holding those grudges though!
Well done for NaBloPoMo - nice to have met you through this!!
I so agree with this post as well! i truely believe everything happens for a reason. And dont regret anything, or your whole life will be one big I should have, could have, wish I would have!
I would love to be able to do this. But iit seems so hard sometimes....
lol...love it. i work with a bunch of garbage trucks. today i'm going to sweetly shove them all down the stairs :)
I love that you passed this along. And congrats on NaBloPoMo.
Inspirational words.
And I too just killed the monster that is NaBlo. Grateful for the return to normalcy (laziness on my part).
love this post! i so agree and i think i might steal this and put it on my blog soon! :)
I just love your blog! I added you to my list of favorites on the side of my page. :)
Cindy
www.adayinthelifeofcindy.blogspot.com
So true. This is so great I have to add it on my blog!
I am a big believer that everything happens for a reason - it is how I live my life. See ya.
I love that! There are a few people that I could pass that on to! Thanks for sharing
I love it, thanks for the reminder!
I remember doing last minute errands and Christmas shopping with Lisa about 5 years ago before she had Charlie. It was on Christmas Eve and people were so in a rush. They were rude and not nice. So we decided that instead of getting mad at everyone that was rude or in a rush, we would say "Merry Christmas!" when what I really wanted to do was give them the single finger salute. We ended up having a fun day and laughing a lot :)
this is brilliant - thanks for sharing this very important life skill.
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