I just got back from an awesome vacation in Key West. Even though there were torrential downpours every single day, there were also breaks that allowed us to get outside and enjoy mother nature.
The craziest thing happened on our way there.
I met a woman who looked so familiar to me. There was just something about her that made me feel I had not only met her before, but had spoken with her too. I asked her name, and almost simultaneously saw her business card on the desk. 1+1 added up to two and I knew exactly who she was!
She was the woman who had embezzled a quarter of a million dollars from her former employer…well not only her employer but all the people who have an interest in the business…of which I AM ONE!
I tried really hard to play it cool, but I know that she knew I “made her.”
I was completely disturbed! I had this information and I didn’t know what to do with it. I wanted to shout it from the rooftops, because it has been over three years and there is not only zero restitution, but the criminal trial keeps getting postponed. So, to date, she absconded with A LOT of money and has not had any consequences.
And here’s the real kicker: SHE HAS THE SAME JOB IN THE SAME INDUSTRY, just in a different place!!! How is that even possible?
My first instinct was to tell someone, heck, tell everyone! I wanted to call her current employer and say, “Hey! Did you even do a background check?”
But then something inside stopped me. What if someone took the information I provided, and did something bad to her? I practically wrote a short story in my mind to this effect. There are plenty of angry people involved in this fraud. How would I feel if my need to blab that I saw her actually caused her more pain than she must already have in her life? TERRIBLE! That’s how I would feel…terrible!
I put myself in her shoes and I thought about my past. Are there any skeletons rattling in my closet that I wish would not be brought to light? Perhaps (though I can guarantee I never stole anyone’s money.)
I wondered if it was possible that she had remorse and was working on turning her life around. Then the reality of the situation hit me like a ton of bricks. It didn’t matter if she was in the process of reforming, or if she was in the process of robbing her new employer.
IT WAS NONE OF MY BUSINESS!
I have spent so many years being the “Righteous Police;” always watching for injustice and trying to right the wrongs I see. And it’s exhausting! And it rarely mattered in the end. All it did was get me so hyper-focused on what everyone else was doing, that I didn’t pay attention to my life. And that worked for a while – a long while.
The thing about pointing your finger at someone else is that there are THREE fingers pointing back at YOU! Try it.
Obviously, I still want to shout it from the rooftops because I have written this post. But I have also LET IT GO. The wheels of justice will turn and if they don’t drive down the “correct” street, then I believe that KARMA will take over the wheel.
I don’t have to involve myself with business that isn’t mine, which leaves me a lot of time to take the hard looks at what the three fingers might be pointing to. Do I think it will be an easy habit to break? Not necessarily, but where there is a will to change there is hope of success. As my sister says, “I am going to keep my side of the street clean.” Which means even if I notice the garbage piling across the street, I will grab my broom and sweep my curbside.
As for the woman awaiting trial – I hope she looks at her side of the street and runs inside to get her broom.
Thanks for listening to my story. Sure hope all is super in your world!
I wonder, what would you have done?
Blessitude!
Lorrie <3
06/16/2024
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Kudos Lorrie. I love your choice to let it go and not make it your business.
Thanks, Brad 🙂 I couldn’t believe that I ran into her. It was very strange, but I couldn’t help think that there was a lesson in it for me.
Hope you have a super wonderful week!
Your anger is justified, but I agree that you made the right decision to let it go. Life is too short not to forgive!
Hi Ann. I totally agree…life is very short and we need to decide how we spend it. Forgiveness has been such a liberator for me.
Hope you have a wonderful week! 😊
That is a VERY wise quote Lorrie and so true. It’s very easy to judge others but ultimately we have to live with ourselves, our own imperfections and none of us are perfect. You did well my friend though I’m sure it wasn’t easy at the time. I think it’s human nature to want to see justice but karma will take care of those who harm others. A thought provoking and compassionate post. Sending hugs, blessings and love. Hope you had a wonderful getaway. xx
Thank you, Miriam 🙂 Your beautiful soul shines through your words. It was difficult, but in the end I am happy with my decision. She has to live with herself, and I pray that she has come to some understanding. It was just so weird…when I first met her she seemed so kind. That just goes to show that we can never fully know the struggles that each person has to go through. I pray for her and hope that whatever was going on in her life that made her think that was her only choice…has resolved to some degree.
Thanks for confirming what I felt in my heart. It feels really good to back away from judgment of others…and take a good hard look at myself.
Hope all is super in your world!! Sending lots of love…and always light <3
Aww, your beautiful soul shines through too Lorrie, in your reply. Warm hugs and blessings always my friend. ❤️❤️
Interesting Lorrie, everything you’ve said is true. But then I think what if she is intent on doing more damage…and my silence allows it. It is a difficult thing to face, and yes, we all have our skeletons. Mine rattle very well. And an interesting thing…it was because that my skeletons rattled so loudly it took me deep to see who I truly am, understand that pain and remorse, to understand much deeper empathy and compassion because of it. And yes, I do think love has its finger on that pulse within us all. She will have the chance to face herself and go beyond it…somewhere, somehow, sometime. Of that I have no doubt.
Great post kind lady…and a ton of courage to go where you did. On a holiday with that love that is yours because of what you have already faced 😀❤️🙏
I know, Mark!!! That was the struggle. I guess we will never know if she has mal intent with her new employer. And I really believe that I was offered this lesson for a reason at this point in my life. It was really hard to let it go and allow whatever fate would be….to BE…but I did it. I was just so compelled to write about, I think partly because I HAD to tell SOMEONE 😉 and also because it felt like a really huge step for me to take. I could almost feel her pleading with me (silently of course) to leave her be…to let her live her life in autonomy. And…I suppose if I hear that she did it again…I will have to deal with that. But understanding what is my business…and what is not…is a huge boundary that is ALWAYS on the table, so to speak.
I did have a wonderful time. We had crazy weather – torrential downpours – but there was always a little break that allowed us to get out and explore in nature. I am Blessitude.
Sending lots of love and light your way. Sure hope that you are feeling much better <3
You are such a compassionate person, Lorrie! Thank you for sharing such a thoughtful post. Not an easy decision that you made, but I think it was the right one. Sending love!
Hi Judy 🙂 It is exactly your beautiful, compassionate self that understands it was the right decision, Judy! Thank you for reading and commenting and always sharing from your heart.
I miss you! I am back in town and hopefully will be able to attend your live next weekend if you will be playing…let me know. But in the mean time…I hope that all is super in your world and that life is treating you better than terrific!! <3
Wow – that’s a bit freaky bumping into her. I would have moved quickly away from her bad vibrations.. and the vibrations it caused inside.
Indeed, Val. It certainly caused a lot of turmoil inside me. I’m happy with my decision. Like I said, I believe in Karma.
Hope all is well <3
You are freeing yourself with each step. What are the odds you would see her? What an incredible surprise.
Yes…it is FREEING, Ka!! I feel lighter…untethered!
I could not believe that I saw her…or moreso that she is working in the same exact industry. But, that is her story…NOT MINE!!! It feels good to walk away from other people’s drama.
Hope you find moments for self-care <3 <3
Hugs! 🥰 🤗