Dear brother; you may have stolen from me, but I feel sorry for you; here's why.
(Gawhhhh, c'ammoonn! Why'd ya go and do that?)
You currently possess a brand new, state of the art smart phone, a debit and credit card that you can't use, a $5 Thai wallet, $20 and some not very nice life points...
Tell me about yourself...
When you wake up in the morning, is it to the specifically chosen sound of the list in your phone's alarm settings? You know the one that's not too annoying, the one that urges you from dreamland, but that you don't like too much so it forces you to actually wake up?
When you toss over to turn that sound off and embrace the day, despite what's ahead, do you look at the screen for the time?
Do you spend some extra time, comforted in the warmth of last night, under the covers, flicking through the notifications you got while you were sleeping?
Did mom text you? Did your brother send you a funny video on Facebook? Do you have an important reminder for today: better pick your son up from soccer practice tonight!
When you get up, do you take your phone with you to the toilet? Scrolling through whathaveyou's while you sit there doing your business? (Who reads newspapers anymore?)
Source:
When you're in the shower/getting ready do you pop on some music? Maybe connect to Youtube or Soundcloud, letting your favorite songs spin into your ears, maybe belt out some tunes, get a little sudsy, have a little party?
Source:
Do you by any chance, once you've got yourself all fresh to death, make breakfast?
Well, now that you've made that delicious breakfast, do you take a quick picture of it to share with all of your buddies on social media? No? K, maybe you snap a selfie of well... some part of your body for someone on your contact list's pleasure?...
Do you put the phone in your pocket and take off for work/your day?
If anyone needs you, they can just quickly and easily access you- your friends have your number, you are signed into all of your social media accounts, email etc. You're fully connected and that phone comes with you all day long. Wherever you go, it goes. Ammiright?
Source:
Let's make this interesting brother... I'm curious to know if you've ever thought about this...
When your wife is in trouble, does she recount the numbers she has committed to memory? The specialized group of numbers that dial her directly to you? (No, because we have contacts on our phones to save said numbers! Without her contacts, she probably wouldn't be able to call!)
Source:
When you need directions, when you are lost and need to find a way home, do you consult your GPS or call a friend for directions?
When your pipes break, power goes out, internet stops, termites take over your home, you fall, break your foot and need a ride to the nearest ER, do you look online to find someone to call? Then once the miracle of the internet has provided an answer, do you make that call?
When your baby takes her first steps, are you right there, phone in hand, documenting it, video-taping it, sharing it on all of your social media accounts?
Source:
These all seem like reasonable, normal things most people do... let's carry on...
Hey brother, when you are traveling in a new country, do you take your phone with you?
Yes of course right? You need to be able to find your way, bring up travel documents, connect with family back home!
Source:
What about your wallet?
You have to bring that with you to pay for things at least... You're not going anywhere without at least some money!
So, that means that while you're out there in the wild and unknown, every piece of you is tied into your personal belongings, your way to connect with your family, your documents to get you home, your credit and debit cards you have to give you access to get back home...
Do you place value in these items? Would you want to keep them on you so that they remained safe?
I wonder what you would feel like if someone took that comfort from you?
Source:
As you can see in the examples above, our phones are intimately intertwined with us. Taking one from someone is like ripping a piece of them off of their body. It's never going to be the same for you as it is for them. It's always going to mean more to them than any amount of value you could get from it.
I wish you would have thought about that.
You see my brother, although we all come from the same place, we are not all made the same.
I could choose to be mad at you, resent you, send negative thoughts your way... but not me. I won't be doing any of that.
I am not here to judge you.
Source"
You have your reasons for why you did what you did. I am here to remind you though that what you did was take a piece of someone's life, without their permission and that is something I would never and could never even think of doing to someone else but I forgive you, and love you anyway.
You robbed me not just of a personal possession that I worked hard to earn, you robbed me of my way to connect to my friends and family back home.
I had my possessions across my chest in a heavy duty purse, zippered up and on my side. I didn't leave my belongings on the beach for you to take. I had them right on my person and you struck. You struck so fast, I didn't even notice.
You know, I didn't even cry and I won't.
When the $700 USD phone was no longer in my purse, and my now unzippered, empty pouch was staring up at me, the first thing I felt was pity. I thought,
"Who would/could do such a thing?" ... "How sad."
You saw me, you pegged me, you struck and you stole from me but you didn't realize you left me with something.
See, as my friends around me found out that you had wronged me, they felt pity and sorrow... they offered me embraces and comforting words...
"We'll get a new phone tomorrow. Don't worry..."
Brother, as you'll be able to tell from the perfect condition, I had only just gotten that phone delivered to me by my brother from the States 2 months ago. I only had one trip with it before you took it for your own.
That phone was bought specially, brought half way across the world to me and now I can't even replace it. I can't walk into a store here and get a new one. They are not available for purchase here.
You weren't thinking about me.
You don't know me, you were only providing for yourself. Let me ask you though, why does providing for yourself have to inflict harm on someone else? Your brothers, your sisters? What made you resort to taking instead of earning?
I've always been a strong, motivated gal and I'm not easily pushed down.
I am resilient and luckily, prepared for people like you.
My cards you stole have been shut down and new ones on their way so you won't get anything out of them.
There was only about $20 USD in my wallet so, you know what? I hope you buy yourself a vegan meal with it.
As for my phone, despite it being my connection to the whole world and to everyone I love, all of my accounts and not to mention all of my memories,
I feel worse for you.
See, I get to wake up every day now, sure, without a phone and honestly, just so you know...
I do wake up to an alarm that I specifically chose to annoy me just enough to wake up...
I do check the time on my screen (I have no other clock, anywhere in my house)...
I do lay there for several extra minutes, checking my notifications and connecting to my loved ones back home and I love watching funny videos...
I do take my phone to the toilet and read my emails...
I do play music as I dance and sing wildly in the shower like no one is listening...
I do make myself epic breakfasts and I do take photos of them to share right here actually!...
I do put my phone in my pocket and bring it along with me on my day because it's how I am connected.
You know what else?
My friends and family do have my number to call me if they need to reach me but now I have to get a new number and have been completely locked out of some of my accounts...
I do use my phone for GPS multiple times a day...
I do use it to look up anything and everything from a restaurant to eat at to a taxi driver...
I do document everything, trying to hold onto the memories and share my life with the people I love back home...
I do bring my phone and wallet with me traveling because, I have to. I am as smart and reasonable as I can be, and yet, you now have these abilities, not I.
But you, you have to wake up every day knowing that whatever you got, was from taking from someone else.
2018 started as a year of huge loss turned opportunity for me.
I was celebrating, watching fireworks on the beach with hundreds of other excited humans, all gathered together in what I believed to be a union of peace. Everyone focused on the sparks in the sky and the promise of a new year.
Instead, I got a lesson.
So dear brother, remember... it is your heart that will do the time for this crime, not mine. I forgive you and I hope that you forgive yourself. More than that, I hope you never hurt someone in this way again. Ho'ponopono states that we can clear out negative karma and debt by presenting an ancient Hawaiian prayer, I will be doing that for you and hope you feel it.
To all my Steemian friends out there:
To be honest with you, I didn't ever in my life want to lose my phone but, like I said, it's a learning lesson. For me, a huge lesson in forgiveness.
Things they say that are applicable here:
No use crying over spilled milk
What's done is done
What will be will be
(This is me ready to take on NY, a huge smile that lasted even through the disappointment!)
XO.
Wow, you really put a lot of thought into writing this one. I really would not know what I would do if my phone was gone. I have my baby with me for two years and so many amazing memories in it.
I loved this part:
"You have your reasons for why you did what you did. I am here to remind you though that what you did was take a piece of someone's life, without their permission and that is something I would never and could never even think of doing to someone else but I forgive you, and love you anyway."
It takes a person with a big heart to do this as some would not have the strength to do so. And, that is why you are amazing, my friend. :)
And, what should you do now? Well, the only thing you can do really? You already forgave him. So the only thing left to do is move on. Make some more amazing memories with your new phone and keep enjoying your life like before. Plus you will always have your memories saved somewhere else? In your mind and in your heart. :)
P.S. I have an irritating alarm sound on my phone as well. If it was nice I would just sleep through it. loool
Have an amazing day as well. :)
Hey @awaketolife =D You know, I sat down as usual to write something else and this poured out! That's always the way things go for me!
It is not fun to lose something so personal, that's for sure but luckily, I have an app that sends all of my photos to the cloud so I still have them otherwise, I don't know if I would have been able to be so understanding! I like to think I would, but my photos mean A LOT to me! I hope you have this too!
Well, thankya, I like to think I have kind of a big, friendly heart <3 I'm happy to be able to share it with those that need it most and obviously, this guy was in need.
Ok, so next, I like your idea but first must get a new phone so, it's not as simple as just buying another which is going to hurt like hell but it's also being able to get it. I'll have to have someone bring it in. So, it's going to be a process but it's OK, life's an adventure :)
HAHA thanks for the laugh at the end! I am the SAME way! Just annoying enough to make me want to stop it :P
Sending you love my friend, thanks for this! =D
I am the same. I always sit down and tell myself. Ok Đuro today you are going to write one short post. :)
10 minutes in I already wrote way too much. And, keep getting ideas how to improve the post. I think it has to do with how connected we are to the subject we are writing about. And, so far I pretty much only talked about my life experiences and adventures. And, like you said the stuff just start pouring out. :)
New phone-new adventures-new opportunities- new amazing memories and photos :) :)
P.S.- Hey next time you set an alarm on your new phone put it somewhere away from the bed. A place where you have to get up to turn it off. lol I promise you, you will never sleep through another alarm. lol
Haha okay so you know the game well yourself :) I actually really like it, I think that it's allowing creativity to flourish! :)
Thanks for the encouragement! I'm really excited to be able to take quality photos again :) This comment reminded me to put in an order, now I just have to wait a month for my brother to bring it to me, but all is well in the world ;)
I have tried that trick! It actually doesn't work for me! I'm really good at just ignoring it forever haha :)
I don't think you have annoying enough alarm. Try the one of Jim Carrey when he asks Harry do you want to hear the most annoying sound in the world? In the movie Dumb & Dumper. lol If that does not work than you are on another level of ignoring the alarms.. lol
Which reminds me I need start trainning then. lololol
Hahaha you have got to be kidding me! Is that your alarm/have you used that before?
I had a SUPER annoying (beyond comprehension) step brother growing up. I am prettyyyy immune to being hassled out of bed haha <3
I guess you are not my level. ha I WIN... lololol jk
I actually did have it. But, it was too annoying... lol Since I started meditating about 5 months ago I have no problem waking up. I wake up to some Avatar music now. lol Full of energy and ready to make some people smile. :)
Jim Carrey ringtone will raise the dead trust me... lol
I'm sorry that you had your phone stolen. It is such an unfortunate event. But you are keeping the best mentality moving through this situation. It does not do much to you to hold on to anger or annoyance and instead just expect the situation for what it is.
One Christmas camping I accidentally left my gropro camera attached to a poll - a tied it there so I could film without having a tripod. On leaving I totally forgot about it and went back the next day to find it was taken. Which is understandable if anyone saw a camera just attached to a poll you would probably take it too if there was no one around. Instead of feeling angry about the situation I just pretended like I gifted that stranger a new camera and that I hope it added to their Christmas. Most people would see that as a strange way to look at it but it helped me move on from it and feel more love in my heart overall. At the end of the day these things are just possessions and they come and go during our life. Our mentality, morals and behaviours are ever lasting and to me hold more value as the dictate the way our lives unfold. Good energy will only come back to you for remaining to see the positives. 💛
What a sweet story, this is another perfect example of not sweating the stuff we cannot change :) Great attitude @neeqi :) I am sorry to hear about your gopro though, it really does hurt in the gut losing something that can hold and store so many of our most precious memories. I have been having a lot of loss lately concerning my worldly goods so I see it as a sign to just live in the moment and be grateful for what I have :)
What a beautiful Christmas present to give someone, I am sure they were extra happy and look at all that love you were able to share ;) <3 Thanks for sharing your experience with me!
What an uplifting post, that still pisses me off.
I don't like it when people violate me and my space, and I don't like it when somebody does it to you.
I honestly believe that when you live the good life that good things come from bad happenings. It may take some time, but I think something good will come to you out of this ugliness. Someday maybe I'll write about my strong convictions and the reasons for them...
Glad you are still here. Glad you are still you.
Aww @bigtom13, I want to hug you <3 Thank you, I feel the protection in this message and really, seriously appreciate it.
I don't like it either, I really don't. It hurts me to know someone would be hurting enough to do this but I agree with you, it's not about what happened to me, and things will balance out. I know it :)
I would love to read that if you ever get around to it, please link me in <3
Sending you that huge hug :) I'll never stop being me, promise! I don't know to be anyone else!
Heya, @heart-to-heart
Just like your name you write something that communicates from Heart to Heart.
I just loved the way, you drafted this letter.
If it were me who stole your phone, I would definitely regret after reading this & come back to you.
I just hope that the same goes with the thief who did that.
Anyways, just keep us updated if you get it back.
You write Conversational & Compendious.
feel free to reach me for any kind of help you are ever in need of.
|| Stay Connected ||
Hi @premraval010 :)
My handle was very intentional, everything I post comes from my heart and always comes out just as it wants to. I'm never able to try to write about anything in particular, it just comes when I get here.
You know, something tells me that this guy won't see this but, the energy is out there and we can hope that it finds its way back to me in some way or another =D I will for sure keep you updated and hope for the best!
<3 Thank you for the support! Steemit is incredible! I'm so blessed to have this community! =D
To put in very few words, Your response is just Commendable.
And this is what makes you a classic Woman.
PS : I like the baby photo you used, by any chances are you the mother of that baby?
Thank you my friend <3
Haha she's cute isn't she? No, I am not her mother, I got it online but that is totally something I would put on my child ;)
I loved that wonderful reflection, thank you for taking part of your time to share this with us. It's true many things you say, sometimes we go through life no matter the small details. The most important thing is to live and be happy
Hi =D It's my pleasure. I think it's an oppotunity to share with the world and show forgiveness and love. Happiness is the most important part and we can't let anyone take that away! I hope you are smiling today =D <3
Wow. I was not expecting this beautifully written post when I first started reading it.
I love your perspective on life and love @heart-to-heart and it really inspired me.
I'm so glad that you are still smiling and just keep on smiling and loving, that is the only thing no one can take away from us, like you said.
Thank you so much for this amazing post and a great example of how we all should live and love life.
Wish you all the best and remember when one door closes another door opens.
<3 I am a trickster that way ;) I love writing and letting my emotions flow through on my keyboard. I don't know what I was expecting either, I just wanted the world to know how I felt about this man :)
YES! I'll never give up my smile to anyone, I'm happy they can't rip it off me like a phone, but that's why it's the most invaluable thing we have <3
Hey, no need to thank me, thank you for reading this and allowing me the space to put my love and forgiveness out in the open. I believe he'll feel it if enough energy is sent his way and maybe he won't ever do it again ;) I can always hope, I have that still, too <3
Aww this is great, what a classy way to deal with being robbed. So true what phones and technology mean to us in this day and age.. they are apart of us because they bring us closer to others in so many ways. Sorry to hear about your phone :/
Thanks @saradear, I really just wanted to let this out there and send into the world my forgiveness! Our phones really are another limb, aren't they? I just hope we can come to a point in the world, where we no longer take from each other. Until then, I will just try my best to inspire forgiveness and love, life has a plan even if it makes it annoying to get to without GPS ;)
Ha yes life's got a plan, but it would sure be easier to follow it with a dang GPS! May your released forgiveness and good vibes to this guy be received by him. Cheers!
Wow, that sucks, and yes you do have the hardest part, reconnecting all those numbers, contacts, and accounts. But you are dealing with the rest quite well, H2H!
Cheers, and Godspeed...
Thank you @underground, at least I can still connect with you all here <3
I'm always prepared with a smile and a story! I really believe life is full of lessons and if we don't learn from them, we'll never grow! <3
Hope you didn't lose anything too invaluable <3
Hey my dear, thank you for the virtual hug! I had my photos backed up, so luckily for that! I did get locked out permanently of Whatsapp which is the primary communication app over here so that's kind of tricky but, you know, I kept my smile =D (and love for you!)
You have to turn everything into learning experiences, that is what they are therefor. If not you will just live in misery, surrounding yourself with negative thoughts. :)
<3 Absolutely! As hard as it may be to do so! Everyone was telling me to get all fired up and find him or whatever, but I just didn't see the point. I tried to do the Find My Phone right away but it was already turned off and so, I had to find a way to turn it around. I have lived too many years feeling sorry for myself. It wasn't until I changed my perspective that things started getting better around me ;) I'm sure you know what I mean based on this comment <3
I am so glad. We truly are the creators of our realities and that all comes from our mindset and perspective. I hear you loud and clear! :D
Only a big person can deal with the fact that he or she was being robbed like you did @heart-to-heart. You proved to be greater than the person who robbed you. Bring great things to the universe and you will get even greater things back. You will get better things @heart-to-heart, not only a better phone but also other things!
Thanks for sharing your great way of thinking with us!
Aww thank you @diamondinform! I agree with you entirely. No use crying or being upset over what is already done. I believe that everything in this big world of our balances out and I will always strive and aspire to be good, no matter what bad may try to cross my path ;) Sending you love!
Thanks @heart-to-heart. I am sending you love too!
Sad that this happened, but love your positive attitude. Let's hope you get enough upvotes to replace the phone plus the many nice comments from people who read your great story. However, I kind of doubt the thief will buy a vegan meal - Just can't picture somebody saying, "Hey I just stole a phone and some money - give me $20 worth of seitan or tofu on a Kaiser roll" :)
Hahaha awww thanks for the laugh my friend. Sadly, I think you're right but I would love it if we were wrong and he did do just that! I wouldn't mind at all if I knew he'd gone and got himself a tofu roll ;)
I'm going to be working hard to make some extra SBD to hopefully get a new one ;) I really appreciate your support :) <3
Hi there! Sorry that happened to you. You have such a positive attitude! I like it! :)
Hope you didn't lose anything valuable though.
The phone was the valuable part financially, the cards-replaceable and the accounts on my phone, well, re-buildable :) At least I still have my smile <3
I'm a believer in karma. Are you?
I am my friend ;) <3
Haha funny pictures))
Funny pictures to try to make what would be a bad situation better :)
very good reflection, about a month ago my mother was also stolen the phone. I hope that the one who did it enjoyment imagine that karma will give you a lesson. I'm sorry for my mother who was taking pictures that can not be recovered
Oh no, I am so sorry to hear about your mother's phone :( We cannot be angry though, we have to keep our smile. They can't take that from us!
You have a fantastic attitude. I want to be just like you when I grow up! 😊
Haha <3 Thank you! All it takes is a smile ;)
I can't imagine losing my phone, I feel so connected to it. It's funny in a way how much value we place on it, as if when we don't have it we lose a sense of ourself
Oh definitely. It feels like a kick in the gut because we really on them so much for everything. But, nothing I can do about it now. :) Always make sure to lock your phone and update everything you can on wifi :)
Yes, and back up the photos on your phone at least monthly! (Something I need to remember to do!)