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The Trouble Tree
The
carpenter 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 now his
ancient pickup truck refused to start. While I drove him
home, he sat in stony silence. On arriving, he invited me
in to meet his family. As we walked toward the front door,
he paused briefly at a small tree, touching the tips of the
branches with both hands.
After opening the
door, he underwent an amazing transformation. His tanned
face was wreathed in smiles, and he hugged his two small
children and gave his wife a kiss. Afterward, he walked me
back to my car. We passed the 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't help having troubles on the job, but one
thing for sure, troubles don't belong in the house with my wife
and the 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."
"Funny thing
is," he smiled, "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 learned that either
you control your attitude or it controls you.
I've learned that
regardless of how hot and steamy a relationship is at first, the
passion fades and there had better be something else to take its
place.
I've learned that heroes are the
people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done,
regardless of the consequences.
I've learned that my best friend and I can do anything or
nothing and have the best time.
I've learned that sometimes the
people you expect to kick you when you're down will be the ones
to help you get back up.
I've learned that sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to
be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.
I've learned that true friendship
continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for
true love.
I've learned that just because someone doesn't love you the way
you want them to doesn't mean they don't love you with all they
have.
I've learned that maturity has more
to do with what types of
experiences you've
had and what you've learned from them and less to do with how
many birthdays you've celebrated.
I've learned that some members of your family may not always be
there for you. It may seem funny, but people you aren't
related to can take care of you and love you and teach you to
trust people again. Families aren't biological.
I've learned that no matter how
good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a
while and you must forgive them for that.
I've learned that it
isn't always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes
you have to learn to forgive yourself.
I've learned that our background
and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are
responsible for who we become.
I've learned that just because two people argue, it doesn't mean
they don't love each other. And just because they don't
argue, it doesn't mean they do.
I've learned that no matter how you
try to protect you children, they will eventually get hurt and
you will hurt in the process.
I've learned that your life can be changed in a matter of hours
by people who don't even know you.
I've learned that even when you
think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you,
you will find the strength to help.
I've learned that a little time down on you knees talking to the
Man Upstairs will lift you up when nothing else can.
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