One of the common thoughts, really complaints, that I hear at this time
of the year concerns all of the problems that this time of the year brings.
This story helped me keep my focus and my thoughts on what life is all
about.
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 tips of the branches with both hands.
When 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 to the 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's 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."
"The funny thing is," he smiled, "when I come out in the morning to pick 'em
up, there ain't nearly as many as I remember hanging up the night before."
