I am copying and pasting something that might benefit you all to get through those tough days, as well as reminding myself on how I SHOULD be. I have taken out some small pieces of this article, simply for length purposes. If you want the entire article, go here.
The Law of the Garbage Truck™Copyright 2004 - 2009 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?
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?
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 brakes, the car skidded, the tires squealed, and at the very last moment our car stopped just one inch from the other car’s back-end. I couldn’t believe it. But then I couldn’t believe what happened next. 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. How do I know? Ask any New Yorker, some words in New York come with a special face. And he even threw in a one finger salute! I couldn’t believe it! But then here’s what really blew me away. 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 could have killed us!” And this is when my taxi driver told me what I now call, “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 look for a place to dump it. And if you let them, they’ll dump it on you.
So when someone wants to dump on you, don’t take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Believe me. You’ll be happier."
So 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, or on the street? It was then that I said, “I don’t want their garbage and I’m not going to spread it anymore.”
You store the bad memories more easily, and you recall them more frequently. So the odds are against you when a Garbage Truck comes your way. But when you follow The Law of the Garbage Truck™, you take back control of your life. You make room for the good by letting go of the bad. The best leaders know that they have to be ready for their next meeting. The best sales people know that they have to be ready for their next client. And the best parents know that they have to be ready to greet their children with hugs and kisses, no matter how many garbage trucks they might have faced that day. All of us know that we have to be fully present, and at our best for the people we care about. The bottom line is that successful people do not let Garbage Trucks take over their lives. 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.You have a choice. Make it today. Have a Garbage Free Day!™
I have a huge Garbage Truck dumping on me lately, and it is increasingly consistent. Why is it so hard for me to not allow this to happen? It's crazy, some days I feel like NOTHING can stand in my way, and that awful garbage truck isn't going to get to me. It seems like on those specific days, my garbage truck dumps on me and bothers me the most. I feel like I'm having a very negative attitude right now, and my frustrations are piling on top of me. Why do I let myself get so overwhelmed and angry? I wish I could distance myself from it. I wish I could push it aside, throw out a few hateful comments and wash my hands with it. I wish it were that easy.
One of my favorite bloggy friends, Brit, posted this quote on her blog quite a while ago. Thank goodness she did, because sometimes it is the only thing that keeps me from letting those garbage trucks get to me.
"Here's how I see it. It took all I've been through to make me who I am today and to teach me what I know. I choose to be better, not bitter. I trust the faithfulness of God more than ever. If faith doesn't move the mountain, it will give me the strength to endure tomorrow. And if it's not gone by tomorrow, I'll still believe that God is able, and trust him until he acts."
Stupid garbage days.
4 comments:
Thanks for posting this! I really mean it. I actually did read the whole thing, and it hit right home for me too. I am doing much better now that I have my job, but just last week I was about to lose my mind and "throw garbage" at a whole bunch of people (that actually did deserve it). But I didn't, not because I am perfect, but because I decided to leave it in God's hands since it was obviously so out of my control, and as always He came through. I know it's really hard to, and you must be really frustrated with rude people, but just trust Him with whatever you're going through, than scream it out into a pillow, and if nothing else works... listen to that "bust your windows" song (at least that's how I get my frustrations out). :) I'll keep you in my prayers :)
This was a great post! I've had many "garbage trucks" in my life and had my fair share of times where I let them dump on me. It's definitely a long hard learning process to get to the point where you can be around those people and not let them get to you. I struggle with it for sure!
I love that quote from Brit- it is so true! God knows what is going on and He will take care of it we let Him.
You're in my prayers! Stay strong!
What a great post! Thanks for sharing!
Just found your blog, what a great post! I'll be back for more :)
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