Barnes and Nobles and the etiquette of shop lifting

As I take out my credit card to pay the cashier at Barnes & Noble I see a stocky man with a book bag walking at a brisk pace out the door. The detectors go off shrieking. An Indian woman who works there breaks into a run Sir Sir! Please come back! The man keeps walking at a brisk pace without looking behind.

The cashier checking me out sighs as she slides my credit card through and shakes her head at the cashier next to her. I don't know why Indira ran after him. It's not worth it, he'll be back again.

I raise my eyebrows, again? I ask.

The other cashier nods and rolls her eyes, Yeah he comes here all the time and stuffs his book bag with books and runs out.

I sign my receipt and stare at her, and you don't stop him?

Nope, she said, We have strict rules on stopping shoplifters and if he puts in his book bag there's not much we can do.

As I walk out with my purchased items, I can't help but wonder a few things:
a) Does the book thief not know of libraries?
b) If he's a regular thief, can't someone trail him to make sure he doesn't steal?
c) Why didn't I just stuff my books in my purse and walk out.

Ha, just kidding about (c) but... there's something seriously wrong with what I saw.

Three Beautiful Things

Writing. Whether I'm a good writer or simply mediocre, writing is my escape. Writing helps me make sense of the world and fine tune my perspective. Writing allows me to express myself more honestly and fully than any other form of expression. Through my words I can take a blank page and create a world that never existed. Through my words I can illustrate feelings too intense to articulate. Writing is my salvation.

My Ipod. Before buying the Ipod, each minute of running felt tortured. Now, I can listen to the Killers albums, pumped up and running, sweat dripping down my chin, and barely realize thirty minutes passed. I love running to the rhythm, lost in song, my body doing the work, but my mind in another place entirely.

My Husband. The ocean may swirl like a tempest around me, but as long as he is my lighthouse, I know I will find safe harbor. [Alhamdullilah]

What you learn during times of hardship

1. Who you can turn to and lean on. Not always who you expect.
2. Who you cant turn to or lean on. Not always who you expect, but at least now you know. This too is beneficial.
3. Your strength. Sometimes you think you would fall apart under tough circumstances, but when you go to hell and back and still manage to stand, you find a new form of self respect.
4. Your fragility. We fly to the moon and create tankers that plough through streets, yet at our essence we're as fragile and delicate as puff pastry. The fact that we get up, and get out there despite this inherent fragility is the truest miracle of God.
5. Empathy. Hardship opens your eyes to the pain of others, even those whose pain is unrelated to your own.

If you're concerned by this post, I appreciate it so much. I'm fine. Just hit a rough patch which is why I was MIA, but I'm gathering myself up and learning to walk again. Sorry to be so vague, but I will be okay. I wanted to share this list because even in a tough moment, there are things I have learned. That does not make the hard time worthwhile, but at least you can take something away from it. Hope you're all well.