When I was a young teenager I ran into trouble at a local supermarket, in Greece. The store detective caught me red-handed, a pack of batteries hidden in my palm.
That day, I was given a double lesson: always pay for what you want or need, and that second chances arrive, but only once.
He asked, what would my parents think, if they knew I had taken that battery pack without paying. Would they be proud of me? Would they feel alright seeing me in jail?
In tears, I responded that they would be devastated. He let me go, after I promised to pay for the item and never repeat this act, ever in my life.
Today, I had to return that gift, after talking on the phone with a young person in Greece, who failed to pay for a domain at Sedo – twice. I decided to talk to him about values, ethics and how to conduct business. He listened mostly, explained what and how he did it, and why. Then, he apologized for the inconvenience he caused through this online business exchange.
I can sniff a fake apology versus a real one from miles away, and his was genuine. That’s all I needed, his second chance was wrapped up and delivered, without asking for it. I have no ill feelings left, due to having had the conversation.
Perhaps I’m just an aging fool, sentimental about my upbringing, and my ailing home country of Greece. Things have changed, people have changed – but damn it, everyone deserves one second chance. I had mine, and now I passed it on.
Great story. Thanks for posting it.
From the heart, i love it! Great story today.
Nice lesson, acro.
Great story, I can relate to this.
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You are a kind person, Theo.
I know this for fact having been on the forgiveness end of things and being forgiven by you for something I said. I’ll never forget that.
🙂
Maybe that young person was turned around by your words, but even if he wasn’t, the intent was there. I have a feeling that something probably got through to him–if not now, then later.
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Reminds me of one of my favourite quotes…
“If you need a third chance, you didn’t deserve the second one”
Thank you all for your great comments. Karma++ 😀
I am glad all this thing had a happy ending.
Theo have you watched My Name Is Earl? You will like it!