Tuesday, January 27, 2009

My sister's sad!

My sister is sad, and when she's sad, I'm sad. So Char, just remember, I've got your back and I'm right here when you need me! After I talked to Char tonight, this story kept running through my head....so Char......here's some advice from someone who's been run over by a garbage truck a time or two in her life.....hugs!!

The Law of the Garbage Truck

by David J. Pollay

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 she can get back
her focus on what's important.Years ago I learned this lesson.

I learned it in the back of a New York City taxi cab. 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, he was 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, 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."
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 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 have to welcome their children home from school 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.

5 comments:

KOCHERHANS said...

Hey Bev - it's Tara (Meghan's sis in law) and I have to admit I've peeked at your blog a time or two and happened to take a peek this morning and I just have to say that I LOVE LOVE LOVE this post. This is something that has been on my mind A LOT lately. It seems with all the struggles in life right now, people are just naturally grumpier and for whatever reason it has ruined my day a time or two. So thank you for sharing this. I don't want to be runover by a garbage truck and I sure don't want to be one. I love all your little insights you put on here. This one made my day. Meghan is blessed to have you as a mother in law. Have a great day Bev and thanks again.

Roxy Dozier said...

Bev, you're an awesome sister and friend to my mom. Yesterday was very hard for her and I'm glad she had you to offer comfort to her. Thanks for all you do for her. I too, am sad when she is sad. This story was very uplifting and will help a lot of people. I'm going to try to stop being a garbage truck and start seeing some instead!

Paula said...

I so totally love you and the wisdom and joy that you share with all of us! You are and elect lady!
Give Char my love, too.

Jerry said...

Bev - that was an awesome story. Thank you for sharing "the Law of the Garbage Truck". Your statement "What would happen in your life if you let more garbage trucks pass you by", brought to my mind "WWJD" (What would Jesus do), which was a lesson I taught in YW a couple of weeks ago.

Also, what a great idea you had for V.T. I bet it was a lot of fun.

Best Nana said...

Well sis thank you for all your great advise but i still feel like I've been hit by a cannon.My life just sucks but I'll put my big girl panties on and keep on trucking.I'll just have to see what is delt to me next.Sorry to bother you with my problems but your the big sister. Love ya SAD SIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!