The Law of the Garbage Truck

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. They blame others for their wrongdoings: they escape taking responsibility themselves and to not have to risk making mistakes and possibly confronting failure. 

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.It’s easy to blame others for our problems and place all responsibility on their shoulders. To stop blaming others and take responsibility in our hands, however, is the most difficult thing and only a few are willing to carry the burden of responsibility.

An unknown author once wrote : “When you blame others, you give up your power to change.” How true! Enjoy your day.