In this week's installment of Meaningful Monday, Lee Brower explores the difference between being a garbage truck, filled with anger and frustration, versus being a gratitude truck, driving around filled with light and seeds of growth. Brower challenges the listeners to dissect the instinctive reactions they have when confronted with negativity, and urges to strengthen a personal growth-centered perspective, rather than picking up the garbage — disappointments and frustrations — scattered by others. He underscores the omnipresence of 'garbage trucks' in our society, including social media and news agencies, that incessantly spout any forms of negativity.

Brower then shifts the focus onto the idea of being gratitude trucks or garden trucks, laden with seeds, sunlight metaphorically speaking, that are vehicles of enhancing positivity and nurturing growth. Through this discussion, he asserts that gratitude and negativity cannot coexist, emphasizing the power of a single spark of light to pierce the engulfing darkness.

Further, Brower shares some illuminating insights imparted by the legendary Coach John Wooden on pursuing growth. To shed light on these ideas, he cites three principles — focusing on self-improvement, learning from others, and continually striving to be the best version of oneself. He cautions against getting embroiled in what's not within one's control, while accentuating the elements one could nurture and develop.

Seeing life through the lens of gratitude is not only beneficial for ourselves but also has a ripple effect on those around us. Brower challenges his listeners to be gratitude trucks, spreading light and positivity, and not succumbing to the garbage — the negativity and pressures surrounding us.