Law of the Garbage Truck

How much are you affected by your external environment? How often have you let someone’s non-sense affect your mood?

I am reminded of a Franklin Covey workshop in which our facilitator asked us how we felt when he spoke good about us and likewise vice-versa. He pointed out that our reaction was directly linked to his actions and we indeed were letting him affect our emotions. Though this was a small example, there are a lot of other instances when we do indeed let others’ (and when I say others, I am referring to people who are not important to us) actions affect our equilibrium. Sometimes not even by their action, but their sheer presence we feel very insecure / frustrated / dejected.

He further went to share a story of a person travelling in taxi which just missed having an accident by a whisker due to the other driver’s fault. The errant driver instead of apologising hurled choicest of expletives at the taxi driver. The taxi driver just smiled and way bye much to the surprise of the passenger sitting inside. When inquired by him, the taxi driver explained.. "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 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.'

Just think how often do you let Garbage Trucks run right over you? And how often do you take their garbage and spread it to other people: at work, at home, on the streets?

However, the mark of a successful person is how quickly she/he can get back her/his focus on what's important. We need to focus our energies all around important things and should not let such instances ruin your day.

The bottom line is that successful people do not let Garbage Trucks take over their day.

I leave you all with this thought….

Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so love the people who treat you right. 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!