From the cop shop I had to call my parents and break the news. I was just busted for shoplifting at the age of thirteen with two of my closest friends. My first criminal offence ever and my biggest life lesson on the power of association.
It was a Saturday and we were bored. One of my good friends Mike came up with a great idea of waisting time at the mall with myself and our other friend Jeff. We hopped on our bikes and headed off to get out of the summer heat.
On of our way I had a bad feeling. But when you’re thirteen, you brush off any intuitive feelings. Little did I know Jeff and Mike had one goal. Shoplifting.
We started browsing through the stores. The first was a candy store which had assorted bulk candies. I remember Mike pulling candies out of the bins, and quickly shoving them into his pocket. That’s when I thought, this could get ugly. But I didn’t have the courage, nor the confidence to say anything – let alone walk away. Instead I had the shadow belief to shut up and follow along. I didn’t want to look like a wussy after all.
After a few hours we had stolen CD’s, candies, electronics and other merchandise from the dollar stores. All while using me as the person to block the view of the employees as they purged the stores. The rush from shoplifting was filling the void of boredom we all felt just hours ago.
Until everything came crashing down. Two undercover mall security workers dressed as casual shoppers were watching and following us. At the right moment, two of them grabbed us from behind saying, “mall security you’ve just been busted for shoplifting!” I felt a million emotions all flood through my mind in one second. This isn’t happening!
They quickly pulled us into a private room and waited for the police to come and escort us to the cop shop. Riding in the back of the cop car I felt like an idiot. What were my parents going to think of me?
They fingerprinted us, placed us into a waiting room and let us call our parents. My mother was in tears, while I’ll never forgot what my father said through anger and disappointment, “Just leave him at the police station for a while.”
We were released that day. I didn’t end up with a criminal record. Good thing or I wouldn’t be traveling into the USA for my business! Instead, I ended up serving twenty hours of community service cleaning at a pre-school. Which was incredibly embarrassing.
I used to have a shadow belief that said, “I don’t deserve to be around positive empowering people.” So instead I hung around with the opposite. That day my life changed forever with who I associate with. It was a true blessing that allowed my to understand the power of association. Also the power of your intuition, courage and confidence. Understanding there are times to stand up and vocalize what you believe in, or simply walk away from the environment.
Since that day I never associated with Mike or Jeff. In fact, they went on to do more criminal acts dealing on and off with the police.
Crazy right? Yep, one of the best lessons I’ve learned about surrounding myself with successful people. #SUCCESSSHADOW
In gratitude!
Ryan
PS: Would love to hear your comments! Leave them below my friend.
