I went downstairs this afternoon to water my flowers to discover my hose has been stolen.  Last week someone took my other hose so maybe the same person returned to take my last hose and the hose reel.  I feel violated. I know it’s only a hose but they were my hoses.

There were times in my past when I stole things too – $20 out of my dad’s wallet, etc. But that was before I was emotionally responsible for my behavior. That is, I now purposefully stop to think how it feels to be on the receiving end of hurtful behavior. Once I woke up emotionally to care how it feels to be in the shoes of someone else, there is no way I would steal anything now. It feels bad and I do not want to cause anyone to feel like that.  I also now hold myself to a higher standard of moral and ethical behavior.

Yes, I was angry at first. But I have now forgiven the person(s) who took my hoses because there is nothing good for me that will come from wishing them ill will.  I can only hope they wake up someday soon, to care how their actions impact other people. For now they have reminded me how grateful I am to have learned the value of behaving responsibly and respectfully because that is worth the cost of a million hoses.