Occasionally, life presents challenging circumstances that would test even the most spiritual of individuals.
When my bag was stolen on Saturday night, along with my video camera, personal items, money and coat, I was tested.
The day had started so well. I'd been to a wonderful event; Living a Charmed Life by Art Giser. I had needed my video camera to do some filming there. As I was in central London I did not have the chance to go home before meeting a few friends for a birthday celebration at a bar/restaurant, near Kings Cross.
Being a trusting individual I put my bag, which was pretty bulky, very near to where I was standing and proceeded to enjoy a good evening out. A few hours later when I went to leave, my bag had disappeared. Noting my shock a nearby barman went to check whether anything had been handed in. When he returned to say that nothing had been handed in, my heart dropped. Apart from over £600+ worth of equipment, several personal items had been lost.
For a few long seconds I was feeling that my life was less than charmed.
I did my best to remain positive, yet there was an unerring sense of disappointment - both in myself for not being more careful and in the person who had taken it for momentarily diminishing my faith in humanity. As I stood on my own, composing myself to live all of my own teachings about good coming from every challenge, I found myself severely challenged.
Then an angel arrived.
A young lady, noting my concern walked up to me and asked if the bag that had been where I was standing was mine. I told her it was. She then pointed to one of the bouncers and told me that she had seen him taking it. I was very grateful and my faith in humanity was instantly restored.
When I approached the bouncer and told him that I had lost a bag and asked him if he knew where it was, he told me that he did not. He appeared certain that he had no idea what I was talking about. I then suggested that he may not have remembered picking up the bag that was by the table that I was at but I was glad that he had because it saved it from being stolen by someone, subtly mentioning that he had been seen in the act. I knew that accusing him of lying would probably not be the best way to get my bag back and offered him a way to give me back my bag and save face.
He admitted nothing, sending me over to talk to another bouncer who would be able to help me.
I walked across the venue to the other bouncer and it was clear that his energy was less than warm as I informed him that I had been told that he may know where my bag was. He glanced a look at the other bouncer before staring at me for a few seconds, saying nothing. Eventually, he just told me to wait where I was. He then went over to talk to the other bouncer before coming back and telling me to wait for the manager. At this stage neither man acknowledged even seeing my bag, let alone picking it up.
A few minutes later the manager appeared.
I explained that my bag had gone missing and that the diligent bouncers had been kind enough to hand it in to keep it safe. I strongly suspected that this may not have been the case but did not care as long as my bag was returned. The manager went to look for it and eventually returned my bag, letting me know that thieves have been known to operate in the bar and that they cannot be too careful.
I took my bag and the lesson, thanking the manager and both bouncers before leaving. Unfortunately, I did not get a chance to properly thank or reward the angel who stepped in to let me know the fate of my bag at a stage where I had given it up as lost forever. To her I dedicate this posting.
In life, there are people who will take things away and those who give, without expecting anything in return. Both exist and it is a choice of who I choose to focus more on and how to reflect on certain incidents in life. I could have left that bar/restaurant feeling any number of emotions on Saturday night but I chose to be in gratitude. Ultimately, if the bouncers had not played their part, I would never have been gifted by the blessing of this incident. Thank you Art, Duncan and Jemma for inviting me to live a charmed life and EVERYONE involved at the bar/restaurant who proved it to me so quickly.
Whilst I will not be returning to the venue involved again in a hurry, I am very grateful that it provided the highlight of my weekend, proving that I am living a charmed life, even if it was through a roller coaster ride of emotion.