Monday, January 5, 2009

Redemption At The Supermarket

OK, you all know how I feel about resolutions, right? I'm going to go on record and say that what I'm about to write right now is not so much a resolution but rather, a pledge. I pledge to be more forgiving and understanding of people in the coming year. Last night, my wife and I went to the movies to see Will Smith in "Seven Pounds". Without giving any of the movie away, let me say that my take on it was of a man riddled with guilt and unable to forgive himself. With that said, I won't say anymore about the movie. You really have to see it to understand what I'm saying. Case in point...

I drove to the nearest supermarket (Shop-Rite) this morning to pick up a few things... some Hefty trash can liners and tall kitchen bags. I also picked up two bottles of mildew remover and a Jet Magazine with Keisha Cole on the cover. I think everything came up to about $28.50. The supermarket has a policy that you cannot take grocery bags into the restroom with you so, I told the cashier that I was going to leave my two bags on the side to be picked up when I returned. She nodded. I returned a few minutes later only to discover that my bags were gone.

The cashier, who was in a conversation with the other cashier across from her about who was the flyest, Little Wayne or T.I., suddenly realized what happened and she said, "Oh, I'm s-o-o-o sorry, somebody just walked off with your groceries! They just walked out... if you hurry, you can catch them. They couldn't have gone far!" I dashed out of the store and into a parking lot filled with people. Several cars were pulling off and people were everywhere. The person with my groceries could be long gone! I ran back in and asked the cashier what did the person look like? She couldn't remember. I asked if the person was a man or woman? She just gave me blank stare! What was true was that my groceries were gone.

I was asked if I had a receipt. It was in the bag with the groceries! The manager was called and my plight was explained to him. He asked me for a receipt. It was in the bag. He said that he could look at the tape of the transactions made and give me a duplicate receipt. He needed to know how much the groceries were. I said, "$ 28.50." It took him about twenty minutes but, he found proof of my transaction and I was able to get the same things I originally purchased and go about my business.

I should have been incensed and I admit being a little perturbed for a few minutes... but, I realized that making an ugly scene was not going to get me any satisfaction any quicker. I also remember what it was like to be a teenager, working a mundane minimum wage job, and have my head in the clouds. Been there, done that. I thanked the manager for taking care of the manner and I walked away.

I even forgave the cashier. People make mistakes and nobody is perfect. One of the criticisms that is most thrown around about me is that I don't always pay attention to detail. This made me think about being more detail attentive in my own day to day work to avoid such mishaps. A mishap that might have turned ugly was handled so quietly that nobody else in the store was even aware that it happened. I was proud of myself for showing restraint when I had every reason to explode. By not exploding, I didn't make the cashier or manager's day bad and everybody walked away a winner.

This year, I pledge to show forgiveness and understanding and practice restraint. This is not a resolution. It's my pledge... to not only forgive others but, to forgive myself too for my own past shortcomings. It's a good way to start off 2009, if I do say so myself!

23 comments:

Kofi Bofah said...

I often think that as long as I have my health - I am good.

It takes a lot to get me riled up.

When I do get upset - I am at my wit's end.

Angel said...

Was it a good movie though Keith? The advert here is such a mystery you are sitting here wondering if the mystery is worth seeing or they are just banking on Will Smith to sell the film.

Keith I'm proud of you for being so calm and quiet I'm usually that way aboyut 90% of things but when it comes to food and grocery shopping I would have been livid and I would have made the girl run after them.
I'm glad they replaced all your stuff.

Anonymous said...

You're a better man than I am Keith,I would have been heated!

Anonymous said...

The older we get, the more we learn to take things easy. Good Post keith

Anonymous said...

Good for you Keith, I would have lost it with the cashier though.

Anonymous said...

Hey Keith, Good Post..I'm with you,
people make mistakes..we gotta learn sometimes to let things go.

Anonymous said...

What a profound statement to begin the week with.

Anonymous said...

How sweet Keith!

Anonymous said...

I had something simular happen to me like that...it wasn't pretty.
lololol..I'm gonna try and take your advice!

Anonymous said...

I saw Seven Pounds too...It filled
me with sadness at the end..I think it did the same to you, which made you so reflective, didn't it?

Anonymous said...

Nice Post!

Anonymous said...

This was a great affirmation Brother Keith.

Anonymous said...

Another Introspective and philosopical read from you Keith.
You're startin the New Year off with a bang!

Anonymous said...

I'm still upset that my Falcons lost man...It was a good post, but in light of that, if I had went to the supermarket and this had happened too...I would not have been in a great mood at all!!

Beautifully.Conjured.Up said...

You're a good one...matter of fact a great one, because most of us would have been encumbered with anger, yet you kept your cool...

...inspires me to do the same today.

A.Smith said...

My experience is that it's always easier to take it easy. I don't have the energy most times to let stuff get me all riled up and you'll find, as you did Keith, that stuff can get worked out so much faster and easier. Who needs a scene? It does nothing... unless you're an attention whore. :)

Jazzy said...

wow...glad you kept your cool. my first reaction would have been to flip on her for saying the person JUST left...you can STILL CATCH THEM - when she didn't even know if it was a male or female.

Anonymous said...

Good for you. I'm not sure how I would have reacted.

Me said...

Oh My!!! I would have had to calm myself down on that one. Good for you!!!

Strongblkwmn said...

I admire the way you handled things because I probably would lost it.

Seven Pounds was something else! I thought a lot about life after seeing that movie.

Anonymous said...

ummm (looking around)...once I was sitting outside and someone left a cart full of food outside. So I (guess what I did)......lol




I hope those werent your groceries I took!!

♥ CG ♥ said...

That's great, Keith, It's good to take the high road in situations, something I not the best at. I will say though...I wish young folks would pay attention to what goes on around them.

Anonymous said...

Good Job Keith!

I like your pledge for the new year, if you don't mind I think I'll adopt it for myself.

Forgive others, check!
Forgive myself, check!

Hope all is well.




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