Stellar Attitude

Yesterday I vaguely got wind of a 7 year old boy whose bicycle was stolen. Along with his mother he was able to get the bike back. He made a strange request to his mother: He suggested that he wanted to buy the thief a new bicycle! Not yet successful in tracing or confirming this story it carries an interesting message. 

Dale Carnegie, author of How To Win Friends And Influence People, was outstanding for his views on influencing people even when it meant being unconventional in one's approach. Rarely do we hear about such a unique and radical response as described in our story.

Theft is an intrusion on the rights of all who fall victim. Have you ever experienced the sinking feeling of being victimized and helpless at a thief's plundering your personal property? I have and have known others who helplessly describe the feeling of being separated from irreplacable belongings such as a special item from a deceased relative or identity theft so common today.

Victimization has happened to me more than once. One particular instance was a break-in to my home. Upon experiencing the afterthoughts and processing the next move here is what I decided to do: I sat down with a pen and heavy paper and wrote out something to this effect..."This premise was broken into and goods taken. I wish the one or ones involved the best of success for a good life". "Helplessly", I placed the note in a window for anyone on the premise to see in case there was a revisit. It eventually faded. 

Lesson: If we wish a poor, warped and dementred soul a successful life after such an act a major change will have to take place. My message was to, without offense, redirect the thinking process and hope someone will come along to turn a life around or something happens that will reform the person so as to produce real and lasting success based upon right principles.

I personally know a pulpit minister who's wife was sexually involved with one of the men of the congregation. The violated "minister" gently moved to the front seat where the "intruder" was seated, placed his right arm around him and said, "God knows, you know, I know and ________ knows. You need to make ammends". Eventually, ammends were apparently made with what appeared years later to be a good report on the life of the brother. 

Another case of a perceived "heretic" was reprimanded with agreement to exclude, reject and shame the "wretched" violator of congregational consensus and tradition. The "heretic" kept showing up in corproate meetings expressing no ill will or act as if nothing ever happened. He was congenial and appeared to have no animosity, ill will or spite. In other words, he responded in love regardless!

What do you think of these matters? True love must have motivated such persons who seek to influence and forgive their enemies and trespassers. Is this a sign of weakness or strength in the violated?