How do you handle your troubles? Whatever it is, I’ll bet you don’t do what this guy does!
After a difficult day on a work project, Bob’s truck wouldn’t start, so his colleague Frank drove him home. By his front door, Bob paused at a small tree, touching most of the branches. And he was literally transformed – full of smiles and hugs for his wife and kids.
Later, Frank asked him about it. “Oh, that’s my trouble tree,” he said. “I can’t help having troubles on the job, but they don’t belong with my family. So I hang them on the tree when I come home. Funny thing is, when I come out in the morning, there aren’t nearly as many as I remember hanging up the night before!”
Action – Look around for something that can become your “Trouble Tree”. Create one at home or at the office.
Put those troubles where they belong and get on with the important things in your life.
…. this reminds me of a beautiful story of yesteryears….
” The Last Leaf “
This tip works. I try to isolate my blackberry when I get home so work issues won’t distract me from enjoying my family.
I love this, thank you Nancy!
What is, if your troubles comes from your ex-partner (and father of your children)? It is not so easy, to hang them up if they are part of your family.
Things can confound the tree, certainly. But it can always be there for you. And sometimes it may just take part of the load.
I think the point of the story was to leave work troubles where they belong. We have troubles in life that are real and do need our attention. And sometimes those things belong in the home.
This is so true! When I leave work – work is left behind so I can enjoy time with my family. When I arrive at work I leave my family outside the door and begin my day at work and enjoy being with my work family. It takes practice! But you find separation. I so enjoyed the trouble tree!
You are absolutely right Julianne – it does take practice. And for some folks, it takes a little longer to get in to the swing of things. There are still times when I walk through the door with work on my mind, or when the phone rings at my desk regarding something personal, but pausing before and/or after to switch my attention helps a lot!
What a wonderful idea, I don’t have room to carry them with me so if I just hang them up somewhere else I can move on with less troubles on my hands.
This is something I have to work on. Being a single parent by bring my troubles home I don’t give my child all of the attention he deserves. I think I will find a trouble tree. thanks Nancy!