This week’s learning is from ‘The Law of the Garbage Truck’ by David J Pollay.
David Pollay had just faced a setback and he was beginning to picture a chain of misfortunes that happened as a result that all ended with him being a complete failure!
That’s when his Dad told him the Jack story..
‘A guy is driving through a deserted highway when one of his tires blows out. He gets out of his car and pops open the trunk to look for a spare tire and realizes he doesn’t have a jack.
He realizes that he has to walk to the gas station he passed 5 miles ago.
As he walks, he says to himself ‘I hope he has a jack’.
Half way through, he mumbles anxiously ‘He better have a jack.’
When he’s close, he growls ‘The guy better let me use his jack.’
Minutes later, he arrives at the gas station – hot and fuming. He sees the owner in the garage and says ‘Hey buddy, you can forget it. Keep your stinkin’ jack!’
He turns back and marches five miles back to his car.. With no jack.’
‘Why spend all your energy thinking about all disastrous consequences? Not only do you upset yourself, you take away your ability to deal with the problem at hand. ‘Don’t build a Jack story’ David’s father said with a smile.
Wise advice.
Here’s to remembering the Jack story and smiling at misfortunes this week!
A Learning a Day 