Perspective is everything.
Have you ever seen one of those images that contains 2 different pictures? Some see one image while others see another. Here is an example.
What do you see? An older woman? A young woman?
Falsely Accused
I have a confession to share. I wrongly accused someone of doing something and though I feel I handled the situation to the best of my abilities, when you’re wrong about someone or something it can still be a little embarrassing…especially since I blasted it all over Facebook and had many people come back later wanting to know the outcome. Yep, I went to Facebook and figured I’d have people rally, but it was a good lesson all around. People rallied and it felt good, I was out for justice!
After the incident, I was too embarrassed to post the final outcome, after I realized what I had done. I played everything over in my mind and decided there was a valuable lesson that I could share and really, what good is a tough lesson learned if you can’t share it with others?
Shakeology Stealers!
A day last week, I happened to be walking by one of my front windows as the neighborhood kids were being dropped off after school at the bus stop. The bus stop is on the corner of my lawn. I watched as a young boy walked from the direction of my drivewayand get into the passenger door of his car. He was carrying a Shakeology box.
Now, I know a Shakeology box. They are bright green and have bold white lettering clear as day across the side that says “Shakeology”. Truthfully, my first thought was “Hey, look at that, someone else drinks Shakeology!” 🙂 Then I was like “Wait a minute, why would he be coming home from school with a full box of Shakeology?” I watched the car drive away as I stepped out to my porch to see what direction they had gone. They had to live in the neighborhood, I thought to myself. I began to think of all the possibilities out there as to why this boy would be carrying this box…because I truly didn’t want to believe that I had just been robbed in broad daylight, by a child.
I decided to call Beachbody to see if they had an order out for delivery. Yes! They confirmed that I did indeed have a shipment of Shakeology to be delivered that day. Well there you have it. I was robbed I concluded.
The package never came, so I filed a police report. I figured the woman driving the car must have sent this innocent kid to take my month’s supply of superfoods. I imagined the conversation going something like “Hey sweetie, my friend left that box on her door for me to pick up, could you grab it for me?”
On the Hunt!
I circled the neighborhood looking for the car. I wanted to catch this person. I didn’t care so much about the Shakeology, as I did about wanting to get that poor kid away from some crazy woman using him to commit crimes! I actually found a car that looked like a ‘possible’ match and called the police to check it out. The woman looked nothing like the one I had seen picking up at the bus stop, so I moved on and apologized.
I decided to call the company one more time to confirm that my package was indeed to be delivered the previous day (the day it was “stolen”). I was MORTIFIED when they told me it was out for delivery today (the day after it was “stolen”).
Wait! But I called yesterday and they said it was out for delivery then?! Apparently it was out for delivery to the local post office… not to my house. No your house Rebekah….
My heart sank when I came home to my Shakeology box in a pile of other mail and packages. Ouch!
It was truly an honest mistake. I tried my best not to jump to conclusions when it happened. I checked and double checked before I took action that was a tad too drastic.
My Lesson:
Far too often we see what someone posts, hear what someone says (or part of it), catch part of what someone does and we create our own story line. We do it daily. It’s a narrative that we play over and over in our minds. How many times to you create some fictitious story in your head creating some conversation that will probably never happen? You work yourself up over what the person says and does in this said conversation to the point you can’t even stand the poor soul who was never a part of the conversation in the first place.
My perception was blurred when I watched this young boy get into his car with a box of Shakeology. Perhaps he reused the box for a class project. The truth is, I generally try to see the good in people. I learned that from my husband. He is so good about seeing the best in people and recognizing their intentions. Trust me, life is a lot less stressful when you aren’t looking for what people are doing wrong and assuming the worst.
My Apology:
To the neighbor picking up your kid at the bus stop, I’m sorry I accused you of using a little boy to commit a crime for you. I apologize to the local police for wasting your time. You were very kind and I appreciate you. To the woman I tracked down thinking you had the car that stole my package, I’m sorry for knocking on your door with questions.
Days later I’d like to say it’s a little amusing. I’m sure one day I will laugh about it. I think more than anything this has reminded me that the world is filled with more good than bad. The media doesn’t make us feel that way, but I believe it nonetheless.
One more quick story before I close. I shared this story with my friend Cara. She was checking on the verdict of the crimes against me, so I had to fill her in. She shared a similar story of accusing a family member of taking her decorative pillows. They went missing after a family gathering. He had mentioned really liking the bedding and was known for his criminal behaviors. Months went by as she accused him of theft. 6 months later an elderly uncle showed up with the missing pillow. He had taken it to his car to nap when his meds kicked in.
Talk about feeling terrible!
I’d like to see more people assume the best in others. I believe by seeing good in others, we help them to actually be better. A little of that can go a long way. Thanks for reading and letting me get that off my chest.
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