Once upon a time, there was a poor man and a rich man. The poor man’s son was named Ham, and the rich man’s son was named Jim. They had been in the same school together since childhood and became good friends.

One day, the two youths began a discussion as to whether wealth or effort was more powerful. Jim said that wealth was most important, while Ham declared for effort. At last, Ham declared, “Let us put it to the test: Let us both go to some far country and try whether wealth or effort is more successful.” Jim agreed to this plan and they fixed a day for starting.

Then they both went home and collected some money and started off early one morning. After a time, they came to a certain country where Ham suggested that they should look for employment. But Jim did not like the notion of becoming a servant and he said that he would live on the money which he had brought with him, which would last for a year or two. “You may do as you like,” answered Ham, “but for my part, I must look for work.” So he went to a village and found employment as a teacher in a school while his friend rented a house and started making various friends, eating and having fun all day.

One year later, Ham earned enough money, built a beautiful house and also got married. However, Jim had already spent all his money, and his friends who indulged in wine and meat also left him. Hungry and sorrowful, he went to Ham and said, “My dear friend, regarding the question of ‘whether wealth or effort is more important’, I think I’ve already had the answer.”

We were driving in the right lane when, all of a sudden, a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other car’s back end by just inches! The driver of the other car, the guy who almost caused a big accident, turned his head angrily and started yelling bad words at us.

My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was friendly. So, I said, “Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!” And this was what my taxi driver told me which, I call, ‘The Law of the Garbage Truck.’

Many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump（倾卸） it. And if you let them, they’ll dump it on you. When someone wants to dump on you, don’t take it personally. You just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. You’ll be happy you did.

So this was it: “The Law of the Garbage Truck.” I started thinking, how often do I let Garbage Trucks run right over me? And how often do I take their garbage and spread it to other people: at work, at home, on the streets? It was that day I said, “I’m not going to do it anymore.”

I began to see garbage trucks. I see the load they’re carrying. I see them coming to drop it off. And like my Taxi Driver, I don’t make it a personal thing; I just smile, wave, and move on.

Good leaders know they have to be ready for their next meeting. Good parents know that they have to welcome their children home from school with hugs and kisses. What about you? The mark of a successful person is how quickly they can get back their focus on what’s important.

On the first day of my new high school, I almost had a nervous breakdown.Everything about the school seemed so difficult. When I got home, my parents said, “You’re nervous and that’s okay. Everyone is afraid of high school.” I denied (否认) it. I wanted to be strong, so I refused to let anyone know about my fear, even my closest friends.

On the first day I was late for every class and was constantly lost. The school seemed like a puzzle that I couldn’t figure out. Was this how the whole year was going to be? I didn’t think I could rise to this challenge, especially carrying a huge backpack that I could hardly lift. It was so big that I could knock someone out with it! The schoolmates seemed to regard me as a fool, and they were probably right.

Despite my fears, after the first week I finally had my schedule figured out. With the exception of falling up and down the stairs a couple of times and getting laughed at, high school was turning out to be not so bad. It was actually much better than middle school and much more challenging.

Since then, I’ve been elected vice monitor of my class, which wasn’t much of a victory since only three people ran for the four positions.

It is normal to be scared about a new school. Take a deep breath and relax. High school is something that any student can overcome. Make sure you participate in some out-of-class activities because you’ll find it easier to make friends. Try to do your best,even if it isn’t straight A’s.

Most important of all, be who you are, whether you’re a “fool”, an athlete, or a lower grader. Don’t try to pretend to be someone you’re not. Now you know the true secrets of high school.