It was about a year ago, that I had to chair a meeting. I did not expect much problems because the members of the committee had done a good job during the whole year, and I quite expected most people to acknowledge the same. But I was in for a surprise. A fellow who was the vice-president of a company, and who thought no end of himself, started giving trouble.
“I am not happy with the wording in this resolution,” he said. “How would you like it worded?” I asked innocently. “Don’t you know how to word a resolution?” he asked and it was then I realized that the man was out to get my goat. The evening was not turning out to be as calm as I expected and it was during a break in the proceedings that a friend and colleague asked me whether I needed some advice.
“I think he needs it,” I said pointing to the troublemaker. “You do,” he said with a smile, “Let me tell you of an incidence that happened last year which has helps me remain cool at a time of crisis: I had hopped into a taxi and 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 the 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. I mean he was really friendly. So I asked, “Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and nearly 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, “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. Never take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on with the routine life.
“ 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.” I thanked my friend for the advice, and when the meeting started allowed the same fellow in the audience to run around a bit spreading his anger and disappointment, and after sometime he lost steam and shut his mouth. The garbage truck when not noticed, finally drives away..!
