Seeing yourself in the lives of others

Finding a Bit of Yourself in The Eyes & Lives of Others

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Finding a Bit of Yourself in The Eyes & Lives of Others

Scroll down to read more!
Seeing yourself in the lives of others

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A short time ago in a workplace not that far away I worked as Human Resource professional.  And as a human resource professional and manager, I’ve dealt with my share of the not so enjoyable things like terminating employees as well as coaching, giving feedback, and being privy to information and conversations I wish I would not have.  One time in particular stands out. I had to fire someone.

The boy was young and was caught stealing from the cash register at the location where I worked.  The actual firing didn’t break my heart.  It was knowing he was homeless, living in a car, and walking two miles to work each day. While I believe that stealing is wrong, I could relate.  I grew up living on reduced lunches and garage sale school clothes.  My parents were good parents who were proud homeowners scraping to get by.  This boy was just a bit over 16 and was stealing to have fun, eat ice cream, and be a normal boy with baseball cards and shoes without holes.  Each and every week his paycheck went to cover him and his father’s basic living expenses and not the normal teenage boy stuff, and that was what broke my heart.

I remember walking into the office with security, the police, and the boy in handcuffs.  They explained the situation, and he quickly admitted to stealing.  It was then my turn to deliver the bad news that not only was he being fired, charges were being filed against him.  If he could just sign the involuntary termination document, he would be on his way.  I quietly left the office, shut the door to mine, and cried for the first time ever in my professional career while the police escorted him out of the store in front of employees, customers, and everyone else in handcuffs.

Finding a Bit of Yourself in The Eyes & Lives of Others

Maybe I saw a little bit of myself in the boy because maybe I was just like him.  Although I never was homeless and lived in a car, I do remember what it was like to have to say no to date nights, new shoes, and that customized basketball warm up shirt my freshman year.  I knew it something my family couldn’t afford.  Or maybe it was the fact that I flashed back to that day, the one where I sat in a similar office not handcuffed but in a room with security being questioned and interrogated because I was exactly like him.

I had gotten caught shoplifting at the place I worked.  Yes, I was 17, an honor student, and a basketball player.  That day was and still is the most embarrassing and shameful day of my life.  My parents didn’t answer the phone, and I had to call my uncle to pick me up from the store so that I didn’t end up at the youth detention center escorted by police.

That day I learned a valuable lesson that there are consequences for your actions.  I remember meeting with my attorney at the court house and being terrified as I watched men in shackles and jumpsuits being escorted to their hearings while I explained to my case worked that I was 17, an honor student, and a good kid who made a bad choice.  Thankfully, she gave me a second chance.  The incident was erased from my record in exchange for community service and a paper.  It was that day I learned to be humble, thankful, and that my decisions can have lifetime consequences.

So maybe I saw a little more that day in that boy than I first admitted.  It was the hardest conversation in my career I’ve ever had to have because when I looked into his eyes I saw not just a boy but a scared version of myself not too many years ago.

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12 Comments

  1. Life lessons reflected in employees’ actions can be an everyday thing, whether it is something you yourself did or not. But, when you see yourself (or a family member) reflected in those poor actions it can be rattling. Powerful post Jessica.

  2. We all make mistakes in life. It is brave of you to tell your story – and to remember that kids can turn their lives back around if given the right opportunity and right support.

    Thanks for sharing.

  3. I wonder what that boy is doing today. I wonder if he’s out there somewhere blogging about his dark secrets too and about how he learned from his mistake. I wonder if his life turned around. I hope so…

    1. Breanne,

      I have no idea and I really wish I knew. But I can tell you that I ran into someone who was 16 that I hired while shopping for diapers and formula a couple years ago in another city. She was in her 20’s now and told me that I was her favorite manager ever, and that I’d made a difference. In fact, she was still working for the same company I hired her at all those years ago.

      Thanks for the comment!

      JMM

      1. That’s awesome! I’m going to believe that the boy in your blog was moved by the compassion with which you gave him the bad news and was able blessed with a second chance. I like that ending.

  4. Kudos to you, my friend, for the gift of Christmas compassion today. I pray the boy’s character was strengthened and that he is now choosing to honor our laws. I hope that someday you will share your own story with him and let him know how poignant his firing was to you. Perhaps he is the one you should bless this Christmas. 🙂

    1. Thank you for the comment, Lori. If I could find him, I would but sadly I don’t remember his name. . . It’s strange how a moment that has had such a profound effect on me and I am missing that very piece of information.

      Appreciate you reading the blog.

      JMM

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