Yellow Garbage Truck

David J. Pollay's new book suggests we refuse to take on other people's "trash"

I’ve told you before about some of the inspirational emails that show up in my in-box courtesy of my dad.  Turns out he’s not the only one in my life who knows how to inspire.

This one came in a few days ago from my friend Jane. After more digging I found that it’s an excerpt from David J. Pollay’s new book The Law of the Garbage Truck. I wanted to share it because I think its a philosophy more of us could adopt. I see too many people walking the streets angry at someone or something and just looking for a place to dump it. I love the idea that we have the choice about whether to accept it and the power to stop it in its tracks. Seems perfect for a

Monday.

Here is the email in its entirety:

One day 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 brakes, 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.

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.

David J. Pollay’s book, The Law of the Garbage Truck, is in bookstores everywhere and online. Read more about The Law of the Garbage Truck™ and David’s mission to increase happiness, success, and civility in the world at www.thelawofthegarbagetruck.com and www.facebook.com/thelawofthegarbagetruck