Got this from a friend today, and I can definitely apply it to my recovery. I hope you don't mind me sharing it with you!
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. They 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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"There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguements and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance-that principle is contempt prior to investigation."
~Herbert Spencer
I can be that garbage truck some days but recovery is teaching me how to share appropriately & more importantly how to take with grace the help that others offer in return so I can learn & PASS IT ON TOO Ooops capitals 'by mistake' lol We are all here to help each other. Admittedly some more than others but I am learning that it's not the moment that we are in that is all defining but how we exit that moment & move into the next. This is a huge recovery lesson for me. Not to get stuck in moments of pain or discomfort but to take as I need & then let go so that I CAN recover. Even from the little things like someone being upset themselves and/or giving out grief &/or attitude. I don't have to take it all so personally. AA teaches me to let go & stay responsible for myself all the time. Thank Goodness. Thanks for this post, TKS. Very nice perspective. Merry Xmas to you ;) Danielle x
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Progress not perfection.. & Practice makes Progress!
I often allow a garbage truck to take over my day. I know that I shouldn't and I do need to work on it. So, from now on, I'll think of your post and just let it pass by.
Thanks for a great post.
Take care,
Carol
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. ~Dr. Seuss
And there appears one of the best taxi drivers I've had the pleasure to "meet". Thanks, Phil for your wisdom. AND Thank you, TenderHearts......Lovely story!
"We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have. "
