The happy garbage men
“Good morning garbage men!”
I was taking out my trash today (just in time) and as I opened the door I found the garbage truck right in front of me. So I asked one of the guys: “Could you still take this trash-bag off my hands”? And with a smile he answered: “Sure, take a swing and toss it in the bag of the truck. You came just in time”. I just smiled, thanked him and went on my way.
As I turned around I realized that those guys on the garbage truck were looking really happy. The radio turned up just a bit too loud, smiling, laughing and making jokes to each other. Apart from their good mood being contagious (I was still smiling) it reminded me of a conversation I had with my driving instructor years back. He told me the secret of why garbage men were so cheerful.
The secret of the garbage men
So, quite some years back I was driving around the city with my driving instructor and he pointed out a garbage truck to me. Apart from the fact that I was more occupied with driving correctly, I didn’t really see the reason for pointing such an everyday scene out. So I rolled my eyes and told him “So?! What’s up with that”?!
My driving instructor smiled at me and then told me “You know, those are probably some of the happiest people you’re going to see today”. Obviously I didn’t get it then so I just shrugged, I pointed out to my instructor that I didn’t see how a garbage man could possibly be happy, doing what he was doing for job. Apparently he started feeling more content with himself because he could now explain me something besides how to drive a car. 
“Well” he said; “here’s the thing”. “You probably think of working on a garbage truck as a low-class, low paying job that couldn’t possibly have any advantages, right!?” I had no other choice but to nod and let him advance the story. So he continued: “But in reality that truck is providing those guys with something that’s very hard to find in any other job they could otherwise apply for. (Note: at that educational level) Do you know what it is?” I still had to give him a “No” since I still didn’t get it back then.
“It’s freedom! Freedom to be in charge of their own truck, driving- and sometimes even decorating it. Freedom to do their work without a boss breathing down their neck, checking on their every move."
I was astounded. I had never looked at the job like that and I can imagine I'm not the only one. Most of the time te focus seems to be on it being dirty, low-class job because you're handeling other people's waste. But obviously I had been painfully wrong about all this. The guys riding on that garbage truck have actually got a pretty good reason to be happy, don't you agree?
The garbage man in you
So (probably) taking this a bit closer to home, how does this relate to your occupation? Do you like what you do? And is so, why is that? I think chances are fair that most of you would say it's indeed the freedom to be able to express yourself in one way or another without someone breathing down your neck.
Expressing yourself creatively really is one of the quickest ways to returning to your "so called" true self. Stop being miserable while trying to fit into somebody elses view of what the world should work function. If you don't feel it matches you, please consider to stop going along with it. Every time you follow a practice you don't feel is close to your heart, you're betraying yourself. Go and find that way in which you can creatively express who you really are, in whatever way you see fit. You'll see that you'll feel so much more content and in touch with yourself that you'll probably wondering "why in the world did I put this off"?!
As it has been said time and time again, change does not come without courage. Breaking with things you've grown acustomed to is never easy, but nontheless it is an essential part of he growth process. It's challenging, but take comfort in the idea that if it feels right, you are heading towards a happier, more fulfulling life. And if you need help and support, there will always be friends around to commend you, support you and help you succeed at reaching your goals!
Even if it's looking like none of your "current" friends understand you, the personal growth community is an amazing one. I have been surprised time and time again about the amazing, inspiring people that are out there. They too are working on facing, confronting and overcoming their challenges in life and pretty much all of 'm are willing to help you. Because this community is aware that some challenges can be tough and that we all face them, so it is only natural to help people. (And in that process, also grow yourself)
So don't be affraid to reach out. Send an Email, pick up the phone if you're really courageous!
Go out and find your inner garbage man! 
Until next time; There's more energy in moving things. So keep moving, never stop!
[30 Day Challenge] Status so far
The ups:
It’s been a while since I’ve written about the progress of my 30-day fruit&nut challenge.
Originally, I thought Christmas would be the worst time in the challenge period due to all the food going around. And even though I had been occupied with the preparations for the Christmas dinner at my girlfriend’s parents I actually made it through perfectly!
I had brought a bag of nuts and some banana’s from home and I knew that there was always some other fruits lying around in the house I was going to. And indeed, I was fine; I drank fruit-smoothies and ate fruit for breakfast, followed by fruits & nuts (that I brought) for lunch. Not a single problem except for the fact I had to explain my “curious new habit” to the family and friends that were gathered that. But they took it okay and we’re pretty supportive on top of that.
The mids:
So the worst part was behind me, or so I thought. But then it turned out that we had tons of stuff to prepare for my girlfriend’s move to Brussels on December 31st. And instead of what I had planned, she preferred to stay longer at her parents’ house to pack and sort everything out.
I didn’t prepare for more days, so I actually didn’t bring enough nuts to eat the next day. Luckily there was enough fruit in the house, so I took that instead to try and stick to the “diet” as much as I could. It’s safe to say it went pretty much downhill from here.
We were running from one place to another to arrange things, not taking the time to shop decently. So we just ate either what we still had left in the house (which was bread & fruit-juice for breakfast), or whatever her parents had when we were there. December 31st was the day of the move as well as new-years’ eve! And again from early morning we were on the move. I did manage to get some bananas and mandarins for the road, but that was pretty much it. And at the end of the day we came back to her parents again to celebrate the new year with them…. Exhausted..
The downs:
And boy was I exhausted. I guess I really pushed myself to hard the days before. Three nights of really poor sleep due to the cold, working hard during the day and dealing with the obvious “stress” of my girl moving to a “strange” city abroad. Either way, after the move was completed and we had entered the new year all this kind of “fell off my shoulders” so to speak. I didn’t have to carry it anymore, I didn’t have to keep pushing myself because the “mission” was accomplished.
Off course there were the usual family affairs like visiting grandmothers and my uncle who’s birthday is on January 1st (which is actually our annual family-new year’s-celebration).
The waaaay downs:
And yes, I guess I did push myself too far. I was already blowing my nose a lot and feeling extremely tired while visiting family. But the next day I really fell ill while I was escorting my girlfriend home to Brussels. I wanted to stay with her the first night in her new home in the new city so she’d feel comfortable before starting work the next week. It turned out I had to spend some more nights there then expected 
And when I finally got home I spent 3 days inside, mostly tied to my bed. Resting, sneezing and resting some more. And indeed, there wasn’t a lot of eating involved during those days. So I guess those were indeed the “waaaay downs” of this process. I was without fruits or nuts and was too ill to go out and get some more. One could say it wasn’t the best start of the new year….
The getting-back-up-there’s:
Now don’t think I’m going to sign off with a negative note, haha!
No you guys, I’m pretty much back to health and actually even more committed to eating healthy. Even though I haven’t been able to get a hold of nuts and fruits at the times I set myself as goals I did notice something else in my behavior. Over the past two weeks my relationship with fruits changed quite a bit from something you eat as a supplement to your normal food and/or snacks to food itself. Whenever I’m hungry and I walk into a store or a small kiosk I find myself looking at fruits instead of heading directly for the chocolate- or greasy stuff section.
As I have described in earlier articles I have really noticed the positive effect of eating fruits (in the morning) on my energy levels, and I liked it. As such, I’m feeling I’m really making a change in habits by reaching for healthy “alternatives” without consciously having to make myself do it. I’m doing it by default which I think is great!
As I’m writing this I’m riding the train on my way back from Belgium where I had a great meeting with Daan Buckinx. We spent a great afternoon together discussing so much different things and probably tons more for next times! I’m going drop by the store on my way home and stock up again so I can pick up where I left off.
Until next post… Enjoy life, and share that joy with others!
Related posts:
[Day 3]: "No, you can't have that"
[Day 2]: Saying no to habits and temptations
[Day 1] Kicking off the challenge
New 30 day challenge coming up
