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 her focus on what's important.

Sixteen 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. 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.
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. Teachers 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.

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!

very nice, thanks for sharing

I applaud you for that Great outlook on life...thank you

Hm, interesting. I also find it interesting that little stupid things pile up and cause me so much stress and ruin my day, but big things I can brush off. I broke my ankle. I laughed it off. I had two choices, laugh or cry. I laughed. The big things are always that way. But the little things erode my world. I wonder why I can't brush off the little things as easily as the big things? It makes me think. I like things that make me think. Yay! More self-examination.

A great philosophy, thanks tomie!