Seeking Spirituality

By David J. Pollay, a syndicated columnist with North Star Writers Group, and creator and host of “The Happiness Answer™” television program.

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, you’re probably set back on your heels.  However, the mark of your success is how quickly you can refocus on what’s important in your life. 

Sixteen years ago I learned this lesson.  And 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 brakes, the car skidded, the tires squealed, and at the very last moment our car stopped just one inch from the other car’s back-end.

I couldn’t believe it.  But then I couldn’t believe what happened next.  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.  How do I know?  Ask any New Yorker, some words in New York come with a special face.  And he even threw in a one finger salute!  I couldn’t believe it!

But then here’s what really blew me away.  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 could have killed us!”  And this is when my taxi driver told me what I now call, “The Law of the Garbage Truck™.”  He said:

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 look for a place to dump it.  And if you let them, they’ll dump it on you. 

So when someone wants to dump on you, don’t take it personally.  Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on.  Believe me.  You’ll be happier.

Tags: Tips for Life by Nan
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Many of you reading this have probably received or participated
in emails that circulate around the internet.

I received this one and felt it was too good not to share with as
many people as possible. Enjoy!

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile.
It is the ultimate anti-depressant.
 
2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock if you have to.
 
3. Buy a DVR and tape your late night shows and get more sleep.
 
4. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement,
‘My purpose is to __________ today.’
 
5. Live with the 3 E’s — Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.
 
6. Play more games and read more books than you did last year.
 
7. Make time to practice meditation, yoga, tai chi, and prayer. They
provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.
 
8. Spend time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6.
 
9. Dream more while you are awake.
 
10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that
is manufactured in plants.
 
11. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan
salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts.
 
12. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
 
13. Clear clutter from your house, your car, your desk and let new and
flowing energy into your life.
 
14. Don’t waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires,
issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control.
Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
 
15. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are
simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra
class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
 
16. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college
kid with a maxed out charge card.
 
17. Smile and laugh more.
 
18. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.
 
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
 
20. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
 
21. You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
 
22. Make peace with your past so it won’t spoil the present.
 
23. Don’t compare your life to others’. You have no idea what their
journey is all about.
 
24. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
 
25. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: ‘In five years,
will this matter?’
 
26. Forgive everyone for everything.
 
27. What other people think of you is none of your business.
 
28. GOD heals almost everything.
 
29. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
 
30. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will.
Stay in touch.
 
31. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.
 
32. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
 
33. The best is yet to come.
 
34. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
 
35. Do the right thing!
 
36. Call your family often. (Or email them to death!!!) Hey I’m thinking of ya! 

37. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements:
I am thankful for __________. Today I accomplished _________.
 
38. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.
 
39. Enjoy the ride. Remember this is not Disney World and you certainly
don’t want a fast pass. You only have one ride through life so make the
most of it and enjoy the ride.
 
40. Share these tips with everyone you care about.
 
May your troubles be less,
May your blessings be more,
May nothing but happiness come through your door!

Tags: Tips for Life by Nan
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