S.I. Hayakawa, the great Japanese Christian who labored tirelessly for the poor, and the down-trodden, was visiting in Chicago. He was intrigued by the differences among motormen on the Indiana Avenue streetcar line in Chicago. “When the traffic was heavy,” Hayakawa said, “some motormen would get steamed up with rage, clang their bells, and shout at the drivers. Other motormen, however, would sit and wait for minutes without impatience, whistling a tune, cleaning their fingernails, writing their reports. In other words, confronted with the same objective situation, some motormen lived a hellish life of anger and nervous tension; other motormen had a nice, relaxing job, with plenty of time for rest.”
The next time you’re stuck in rush hour traffic or in a long line at the grocery store, stop and ask yourself, “Is this situation going to fill me with anger and tension, or can I take this opportunity to find the patience to RELAX?”
“Sales Upbeat” (adapted).
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