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." "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."

This man was very smart indeed. Instead of bring his problems and frustrations into the home he hung them on a tree. Thus his family was spared all the negative emotions that so many of us live through each day. And I would almost imagine that it was easier on him too, because he would greet his wife with a kiss and probably say, "How was your day dear?" And she would probably answer with a positive response. Ah have I been watching too many of the old TV re-runs where life is perfect? No it can be that way for sure in our own lives but we all have to work on it together. It takes two people working on it together to make it succeed. Never take things for granted because things do change quickly. If you don't have a tree next to your how so that you can hang the problems and frustrations of the day on it, then put a hook on the outside of your door and hang them on that but don't bring them into the house. Then the next morning pick them back up on your way out. Don't wait until it is too late start it today.