*kicks a soap box out in to the square and steps on*
Stealing, theft, misappropriation and borrowing without asking. It upsets me for a number of reasons. I've been very irritated recently, and for some very specific reasons--mainly the ones I just mentioned. Someone, and I have good suspicions about who, has decided it would be fun to take things that belong to me. I put a lock on my door to stop it but I've started noticing things that have gone missing in the in-between times or when I've been unfortunate enough to not keep my door locked when I've been home (and the person I think is the guilty party has also been home).
I've had, so far, five items that I've found missing--1) a plastic picture collage frame (and pictures), 2) wooden chopsticks (nice ones that you pay money for, not the cheap ones), 3) a tower fan (3 feet tall--not exactly something someone would just walk out the door with), 4) jewelry making tools (discovered missing the first weekend in September), and 5) my nice cotton sleeping bag sheets. Now, this seems kinda silly to be pissed about, except half the pictures are irreplaceable and the frame was a gift. The jewelry making tools--cheap, but used for my hobby. The cotton sleeping bag sheet--I'm going on a sleep over in a museum on Friday night and I kinda DON'T WANT TO FREEZE, I just bought them three months ago and have only used them ONCE!
So why should people not steal? Well, to start, taking something from someone else without permission or prior consent essentially tells a person that the thief doesn't respect a person enough to believe them worthy of asking to borrow said item, they don't respect the person enough to allow them to give permission because they feel entitled to possess the item, and or they just don't feel the current owner worthy of keeping the item since they must not use it and they would.
Secondly, on a more personal note, I believe that you should do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Translation--the golden rule! Treat people as you want to be treated regardless of how you are treated yourself. People are more likely to repay kindness, respect and dignity in kind.
On an even more personal note there is a handy little Bible verse in Genesis that states "Thou shalt not steal." I realize that people could argue that "well, it's the Bible and that has been translated zillions of times and should be taken with a grain of salt". Fine. But how many other cultures and faiths out there say that EXACT SAME THING?
When someone steals they give in to the part of themselves that says "mine" regardless of if that is actually true and does not communicate respect to the owner of said item. It doesn't matter if it's a store, a vendor, a bank, or a person--if someone takes something it's a respect issue.
As for the person who inspired this post, I can't prove that they stole these things. I am not going to go search their room (no matter how much I want to) because I refuse to sink to their level. I would rather they come forward and say "hey, I found this in the garage--is this what you've been looking for?" than keep the item and pretend to be unknowing. Both situations communicate a lack of respect but I'll take steps to ensure the item never goes missing again and forgive the person for the former, with the latter the trust and friendship is broken and nothing will repair that. I may forgive a person, but I will never forget that they didn't respect me enough to ask if they could borrow something or took something from me because they felt I didn't really need it. To the latter I make a rude gesture and hope that Karma smacks you around so hard I never have to deal with you again unless you truly repent and confess and make an real effort to change.
Of course, I still wouldn't trust someone who stole from me, but they could put forth a good effort to try and earn the good graces back. After 15 or so years they may even be successful.
I've had, so far, five items that I've found missing--1) a plastic picture collage frame (and pictures), 2) wooden chopsticks (nice ones that you pay money for, not the cheap ones), 3) a tower fan (3 feet tall--not exactly something someone would just walk out the door with), 4) jewelry making tools (discovered missing the first weekend in September), and 5) my nice cotton sleeping bag sheets. Now, this seems kinda silly to be pissed about, except half the pictures are irreplaceable and the frame was a gift. The jewelry making tools--cheap, but used for my hobby. The cotton sleeping bag sheet--I'm going on a sleep over in a museum on Friday night and I kinda DON'T WANT TO FREEZE, I just bought them three months ago and have only used them ONCE!
So why should people not steal? Well, to start, taking something from someone else without permission or prior consent essentially tells a person that the thief doesn't respect a person enough to believe them worthy of asking to borrow said item, they don't respect the person enough to allow them to give permission because they feel entitled to possess the item, and or they just don't feel the current owner worthy of keeping the item since they must not use it and they would.
Secondly, on a more personal note, I believe that you should do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Translation--the golden rule! Treat people as you want to be treated regardless of how you are treated yourself. People are more likely to repay kindness, respect and dignity in kind.
On an even more personal note there is a handy little Bible verse in Genesis that states "Thou shalt not steal." I realize that people could argue that "well, it's the Bible and that has been translated zillions of times and should be taken with a grain of salt". Fine. But how many other cultures and faiths out there say that EXACT SAME THING?
When someone steals they give in to the part of themselves that says "mine" regardless of if that is actually true and does not communicate respect to the owner of said item. It doesn't matter if it's a store, a vendor, a bank, or a person--if someone takes something it's a respect issue.
As for the person who inspired this post, I can't prove that they stole these things. I am not going to go search their room (no matter how much I want to) because I refuse to sink to their level. I would rather they come forward and say "hey, I found this in the garage--is this what you've been looking for?" than keep the item and pretend to be unknowing. Both situations communicate a lack of respect but I'll take steps to ensure the item never goes missing again and forgive the person for the former, with the latter the trust and friendship is broken and nothing will repair that. I may forgive a person, but I will never forget that they didn't respect me enough to ask if they could borrow something or took something from me because they felt I didn't really need it. To the latter I make a rude gesture and hope that Karma smacks you around so hard I never have to deal with you again unless you truly repent and confess and make an real effort to change.
Of course, I still wouldn't trust someone who stole from me, but they could put forth a good effort to try and earn the good graces back. After 15 or so years they may even be successful.