Each year, just as New Year’s rolls around, I place this on the front page of my new diary so when I open it and read each line, it will help me to make my way through the on coming days of another year.
I pass this on to you, with hopes it will help you through each day.
The carpenter who I hired to help me restore an old farmhouse had just finished a rough first day on the job. A flat tire made him lose an hour of work, his electric saw quit and to end the day, his ancient truck refused to start.
While I drove him home, he sat in a stony silence. On arriving at his place, he invited me in to meet his family. As we walked towards the front door, he paused briefly at a small tree, touching the tips of its branches with both hands. After opening the door, he underwent an amazing transformation. His tanned face was wreathed in smiles, he hugged his two small children, and gave his wife a kiss.
Afterwards, he walked me to my car. We passed the small tree and my curiosity got the better of me. I asked him about what I had seen him do earlier.
“Oh, that’s my trouble tree,“ he replied. “I know I can have troubles on the job, but one thing’s for sure, troubles don’t belong in my house with my wife and children.
“So I just hang them up on the tree every night when I come home. Then in the morning I pick them up again.”
He paused briefly, thinking.
“Funny thing is,” he said with a smile. ”When I come out in the morning to pick them up, there aren’t nearly as many as I remember hanging up the night before.
“I’ve earned that either you control your attitude, or it controls you.”
– Author Unknown
