An Insight into Why I Was Once a Thief: Lessons from Mistakes

Reflection on past mistakes can often be a catalyst for personal growth and a firmer understanding of what drives us to make wrong choices. In this article, I will share my personal experiences with shoplifting, explore the reasons behind my actions, and reflect on the valuable lessons that these experiences have taught me. This journey through my past serves as a reminder of the importance of accountability and integrity in our lives.

From Overconfidence to Realization

My first foray into shoplifting happened when I was a retired watch battery seller. On a trip to a local big box store to buy a battery, I made the mistake of putting it in my shirt pocket and ignoring the checkout, thinking I would pay later. The clerk charged me $3.95, a price I knew all too well from my former business of $0.35. Overconfidence led me to believe I would never get caught, a feeling that had kept me above legal trouble for years. But one day, that easy win was threatened, and I chose to leave the store instead of risking potential confrontation. This near-miss experience instilled a newfound respect for the law and the potential consequences of my actions. It was a defining moment in my life, marking a shift towards responsible behavior.

Food Instability and the Art of Opportunism

After my experience with the watch battery, I was faced with a different scenario altogether: the scarcity of food. Prior to my adoption, food instability was a prevailing issue in my life. A local convention center had a shindig, and for a small fee, they offered access. I observed someone enter and saw the doors being locked, and instead of going through the official entrance, I followed their example, leading us to an undetected entry point. This incident reveals the opportunistic nature of my behavior and how, in times of need, the fear of getting caught may fade in relevance compared to the immediate need for sustenance.

The Young Me: An Embarrassing First Crime

One of the most formative experiences in my life occurred when I was around 11 years old. I picked up a bubble gum package and halfway through decided against it, dropping it back. My younger self, filled with regret, realized the severity of my indecision. More impressively, the time I remember shoplifting was at the age of 5. At a convenience store, my father was making a purchase while I was standing beside him. I noticed individually wrapped Double Bubble gum right in front of the exit door, a prime opportunity! My father paid, but in the rush, I managed to put a few pieces into my pocket. We left, and it wasn't until we were near the car that I took one piece out, unwrapped it, and tried to eat it.

When my father asked where I got the gum, I motioned towards the store. He then took me back inside the store to confess my wrongdoing to the clerk. The clerk, in a manner that showed both kindness and firmness, accepted the situation with grace. My father encouraged me to empty my pockets, handing over the gum and a small sum of money. He then took me to pay for the gum and to admit my wrongdoing, a moment that filled me with an indescribable amount of shame. The lessons from that experience were severe:

Nothing in life is free; we earn or are gifted what we have. Taking what isn't ours is morally and ethically wrong, even if it seems inconsequential. The consequences of our actions, whether observed or not, have an impact on us.

Reflecting on this experience, I realize that these lessons were instrumental in shaping my character and driving my core values about integrity.

The Impact of Accountability and Responsibility

The impact of the summer spent under my father's scrutiny was immense. Following the incident, my father taught me the values of accountability and responsibility. He made me hand over the gum, use my own money to pay for it, and faced the consequences by discussing the event with me at home. He explained to me that nothing is free, emphasizing the importance of earning and investing our monetary resources wisely. The lessons were not just about the gum or the price, but about the underlying values of life: integrity, honesty, and the understanding that even minor infractions have a significant impact on our lives.

It became apparent to me that I needed to take responsibility for my actions, no matter how small they may seem at the time. This realization has guided me throughout my life, and it's a message I wish others could hear. Just as my father instilled these teachings in me, I wish for the world's leaders to embody the same principles of accountability and responsibility. Socialism, in its current form, often relies on taking from the productive and giving to the less fortunate. This model is unsustainable and ultimately detrimental, failing to recognize the value of hard work and the consequences of unchecked entitlement.

From my experiences, I can see the importance of learning from our mistakes and growing from them. The lessons of integrity and moral responsibility can help shape a better world, and it starts with instilling these values in children. If we can teach these principles from a young age, society will be more accountable, more honest, and less likely to slide into a moral abyss.

Reflection on these past experiences has taught me the value of accountability and responsibility. It is a lesson that has stayed with me, shaping my character and guiding my moral compass. I can only hope that with the right teachings and role models, society can move towards a path of greater understanding and moral integrity.