Due to a bad case of "the Crud" and traveling, I've been out of touch
but am finally back in my normal routine - just wanted to share this -
I think we could all use it in reference to the list and our general
lives

Subject: Garbage Trucks

How often do you let other people 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/he can get back her/his focus on what's important.

Five years ago I learned this lesson in the back of a taxi cab in
Indianapolis . Here's what happened:

I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport . We were driving
in the right lane when suddenly 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 by just inches! The driver of the
other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us. My taxi
driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was really
friendly.

So I asked, "Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car
and sent us to the hospital!" This is when my taxi driver taught me
what I now call, "The Law of the Garbage Truck." He explained that
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 sometimes
they'll dump it on you. Don't take it personally. Just smile, wave,
wish them well, and move on. Don't take their garbage and spread it to
other people at work, at home, or on the streets.

The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks
take over their day. Life's too short to wake up in the morning with
regrets, so . . . Love the people who treat you right. Pray for the
ones who don't

-- 
Laree in NC
Doppa & Mura
Simon, Sadie and Sam (the "S" gang)

"Yet when all the books have been read and reread, it boils down to
the horse, his human companion, and what goes on between them."  -
William Farley

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