Do other peoples behavour change your mood ??

@weemam (13372)
August 22, 2007 11:05am CST
A very good friend of mine sent this to me this morning , it made me think , I hope it does you too xx Beware of Garbage Trucks by David J. Pollay 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 one can get back their 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. 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!
9 people like this
17 responses
@Darkwing (21583)
23 Aug 07
My mood does change, all too often with the behaviour and words of others, especially if those people are dear to me. The reason for this is that I'm very sensitive and my mood can change in caring for them and what happens to them in their daily life, or with what they do or say to me. I can shed tears at the drop of a hat... not for attention, but when I'm alone. As for when I'm in company, I try to hold them back more, and put on a brave face so to speak, but all too often, they eventually come. On the other hand, if things go right, and they say something nice to me, or commit a nice act towards me like a hug, or a bunch of flowers or something, it might bring tears to start with, because I'm also emotional, but then, you will not be able to wipe the smile off my face, at any cost. Such is life... of course everything happens for a reason but I think if you ignore dear ones' emotions, acts and words, then it makes you uncaring and brash. Just my sincere thoughts my friend. Brightest Blessings. xxx
@weemam (13372)
26 Aug 07
you sound a lot like me pal , I am easily upset by things in my family both good and bad , but I feel it is people outside my family I should try to look at differently and not let them upset me , my feelings are very easily hurt , thanks pal xx
@Darkwing (21583)
27 Aug 07
Yes, I'm very sensitive too, my friend. I have my down moments with the words and reactions of friends, but I try not to show it to them too much. Then, I'll go home in deep thought and get upset, in private. :) I'm quite capable of giving back as good as I get whilst in company! lol. Brightest Blessings. xxx
@mummymo (23706)
23 Aug 07
I agree wholeheartedly with this philosophy wee! Thanks for posting this - I really enjoyed it! xxx
1 person likes this
@weemam (13372)
26 Aug 07
Thanks sweetheart , I am a bit late in getting back to you xx
@Katlady2 (9904)
• United States
23 Aug 07
I absolutely love it! It's so true too. If we all did that we'd be ever so much happier in our lives. Plus, there's an added bonus to that smiling and waving thing.....it makes them wonder what is making you so darned cheerful! LOL
1 person likes this
@weemam (13372)
26 Aug 07
Thanks for making me laugh pal xxxxx
@faith210 (11224)
• Philippines
22 Aug 07
Hi weemam! That is very great topic. I did love reading it and I am hoping I can change some ways and adapt that attitude. People who annoys and irritates me or are rude affetcs my mood somehow or the other, and I let them. I remember someone telling me that, we have control over our lives and we have the power to say No or Yes to anyone or to anything that would affect our lives. Well, I do appreciate your discussion and has reminded me to not let negativity affect my days and to understand people a little bit better. Take care and have a nice day!
@weemam (13372)
26 Aug 07
Thank you my friend and you too , I am going to print it out and keep it for future reference xx
• India
23 Aug 07
well.not necessary that it happens always.but definitely makes ome difference.after all we all are social animals.....
1 person likes this
@weemam (13372)
26 Aug 07
I think we should give it a try , would really confuse them if nothing else lol xx
@pinnibabu (135)
23 Aug 07
Thanks a lot my dear friend. This is probably the first discussion which I will personally rank as the best discussion I ever participated in. I enjoyed reading it. I am the garbage truck. And I dump the garbage on my hubby and daughter. They take it. They just smile and take it. I better change before I become the dumping ground. Thanks again my friend. Your discussion is a learning lesson for me.
@weemam (13372)
26 Aug 07
Thank yo so much too for responding , I think we can all learn something from this , take care xx
@wolfie34 (26771)
• United Kingdom
17 Nov 07
I enjoyed reading that my friend, I hope you are well. I do try hard not to let other people affect me in that respect, but with some people they wind me up so much that it causes a reaction and a response which they want all along. I guess it will take a while for me to retune my moods and to live the way I want to live x
@Darkwing (21583)
23 Aug 07
My mood does change, all too often with the behaviour and words of others, especially if those people are dear to me. The reason for this is that I'm very sensitive and my mood can change in caring for them and what happens to them in their daily life, or with what they do or say to me. I can shed tears at the drop of a hat... not for attention, but when I'm alone. As for when I'm in company, I try to hold them back more, and put on a brave face so to speak, but all too often, they eventually come. On the other hand, if things go right, and they say something nice to me, or commit a nice act towards me like a hug, or a bunch of flowers or something, it might bring tears to start with, because I'm also emotional, but then, you will not be able to wipe the smile off my face, at any cost. Such is life... of course everything happens for a reason but I think if you ignore dear ones' emotions, acts and words, then it makes you uncaring and brash. Just my sincere thoughts my friend. Brightest Blessings. xxx
@Darkwing (21583)
23 Aug 07
Sorry, my friend... my parrot got loose again! lolol xxx
@shywolf (4514)
• United States
22 Aug 07
I love your post. I need to start seeing the "Garbage trucks" in life for what they are, myself. I really have a hard time not letting other people's emotions, moods and reactions affect me. I have always been really sympathetic & empathic and I am really sensitive to moods around me. But there are some people that are just like negative black holes of energy and it doesn't do anyone any good to let themselves get sucked in to that. I mean the kind of people who start conflict just to start it. People who stir things up just for fun. People who really just want some attention, whether it is negative or positive, they will do anything for attention. Those kinds of people it is better to just avoid if you can, and to brush off their moods and reactions if you can't. I just need to learn to do that more effectively.
@weemam (13372)
26 Aug 07
I am the same pal , can be in a great mood and some thoughtless person can take you right down , we can just pray that we don't meet too many people like that as we go through life xx
@whyaskq (7523)
• Singapore
22 Aug 07
If the person is a stranger, likely his behavious will not affect my mood if it is not directed at me. I guess I would be affected if it hits my emotion button. Often, if the person is close to me, my mood changes with his behaviour. I am happy if he is happy and sad if he is sad. I guess we are all emotional beings :p
1 person likes this
@weemam (13372)
26 Aug 07
I try not to get upset with anything too much now as I think we all have enough stress in our lives without inviting anymore pal xx
@tyc415 (5706)
• United States
22 Aug 07
You know, I have never thought of it that way, as a garbage truck. This is great and needs to be passed on so eveyrone can learn from it. I for one do let certain things get to me. If I am around someone sad it makes me feel bad and when around someone happy it sure does make me feel good. Thank you for another wonderful thing to learn and live by weemam. :)
1 person likes this
@weemam (13372)
26 Aug 07
Thank you too pal for being kind enough to respond xx
1 person likes this
@fab315 (1231)
• Philippines
24 Aug 07
HellO! I love your post pal! it's so enriching and so true. I'm a very sensitive person and often times the behaviours of others especially people close to me changes my mood. There are times that I just ignore them and continue with my life. But sometimes I just can't, it's hard to ignore the dirt from the "garbage truck". After reading your post I realized that I let the "garbage truck" affect me most of the time and I should change it. I always believe pal that everything happens for a reason. From now on i'll try to not let the "garbage truck" ruin my day and my moods then i'll be happier. Thanks for sharing pal! take care. ciao! txel
1 person likes this
• Pakistan
22 Aug 07
i like that whats you talking about.so nice the word of garbage truck and frustration.i think that person when alone feel about this whose i am. My heart is full of frustrations.he is disappointed from every where.he feels i am disclaim from my house. no body like that from his birth these changes give his company his environment.no any person listen any word for there child's.its wouldn't be easy.but one person who have a creative mind he makes better and much better.
1 person likes this
@weemam (13372)
26 Aug 07
I think this is the good thing about My Lot we can share our frustrations and there is always someone here to listen and help xx
5 Dec 07
well said! a meantingful lesson! thank you!grandma. i'd like to call you grandma as you bring me the "grandma"feeling, i wish you are not mind . yes, no hiding that to act is always more hard than to say and to understand. but still,for each one, the "law of the garbage truck"is indeed worth doing. yes,life is too short,do something you like ,and do something meaningful.admittedly, sometimes we indeed need fight,but never fight for something meaningless,nor fight with someone who isn't worth fighting with. wish you all the best!my dear grandma!
@dana234 (2114)
• Spain
27 Aug 07
This might sound arrogant, but I´ve made a point of not letting people drown me with their garbage. It took me some time to get to this stage though. I don´t pass by them with my garbage track, so why should I let them do it? It doesn´t work quite the same with my family though. My husband and I do unload some garbage over each other (not a truck full though) when we´re very stressed. Maybe we will be able to reduce the amount gradually until it finally disappears. Loved your post, wee. Keep up the good work. XXX Dana
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
25 Aug 07
It depends really to be honest I know if anyone that I love Hurts it hurts me specially if I can't be there to Hug them As for behavior wise well it does depend really Love and Hugs xxx
@RobinJ (2501)
• Canada
28 Aug 07
Hi Weemam, have you ever heard the saying when the pupal is ready the teacher will appear. Your story and beliefs have all the earmarks of a wise teacher. Another lesson I learned to day is that there are people who will suck the energy out of you with their negativity if you allow them. you post just amplified that lesson. I love it and will save to computer. because every once in a while we need a refill just like a car needs fuel. only your teachings is fuel for the soul. Thank you Robin