Story about stress: How not to carry work related problems home

A newly hired contractor had a rough first day on the job. His morning started with an unexpected setback, a flat tire that delayed him by an hour. Frustrated but determined, he finally arrived at work, only to face another challenge when his electric saw broke down in the middle of an important task. Still, he pressed on, doing his best with what he had. But as the day came to an end the final blow struck, his old pick-up truck refused to start. His boss, noticing his struggle, kindly offered him a ride home. The contractor accepted the offer, but during the drive, he remained completely silent, lost in thought. The weight of the day’s troubles sat heavily on his shoulders, but he kept them to himself. When they arrived at the contractor’s home, he turned to his boss and extended an invitation inside to meet his family. His boss, though surprised by the invitation, gladly accepted. As they walked toward the house, the contractor suddenly paused beside a small tree near the front door. He reached out and gently touched the tips of the branches with both hands, closing his eyes for a brief moment. After a minute or two, he exhaled deeply and continued inside.

To the boss’s amazement, as soon as the contractor stepped through the door, his entire demeanor changed. His weary face lit up with a warm smile, and he immediately hugged his two small children, lifting them off the ground as they giggled in delight. Then, he leaned in and kissed his wife, greeting her with affection as if he had not just endured a long and exhausting day. His laughter filled the house, and his energy was infectious. Throughout the evening, the boss observed him closely, fascinated by how he had transformed into a completely different man in the presence of his family. After a pleasant dinner, the contractor walked his boss back to his car. As they passed the small tree once more, the boss couldn’t contain his curiosity any longer. He turned to the contractor and asked about the incredible transformation he had witnessed. The contractor smiled knowingly and explained, “That’s my “problem tree”. I know that problems are a part of work, and I can’t avoid them. But one thing I do know is that my problems don’t belong inside the house with my wife and children. So every evening, before I step inside, I hang them up on this tree. Then in the morning, I pick them up again before heading to work.” He chuckled and added, “The funny thing is, when I come out in the morning to pick them up, there aren’t nearly as many as I remember hanging up the night before.” The boss nodded, taking in the wisdom of the contractor’s words. He realized that while challenges in life and work were inevitable, the ability to separate them from moments of peace and joy was a powerful skill. The lesson stayed with him, serving as a reminder that sometimes, problems seem heavier than they really are, especially when given time to rest.