The Law of the Garbage Truck

Someone just forwarded this to me in an email. Not sure where it came from but I thought I'd share it with my non existent readers:

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 He/She
can get back his/her focus on what's important.

Thirteen 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 brakes,
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 cursing 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. 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!