Through my interfaith activities, I have a dear Jewish friend - Av. This morning, I have received this message and flyer from him through a mutual interfaith friend who is a Sikh, Aunty Jessiee Kaur Singh.
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Shalom to all, especially Rosa,
I felt it might be good if I sent out this reminder that Rosa's 3-days of LARK begin today, Friday, 20 July. the flier is again attached...
A Very Little LARK... G-d works in mysterious ways
I would like to share my LARK moment of yesterday... thought I would start a day early (but still share it today!)
- I found myself in a little family-owned cafe that I rarely frequent (2 staff, 3 when busy)... and the shop was having a busy moment.
- I ordered 2 coffees and a pastry for me and a friend, handing them a $20 note.
- I wasn't sure - but guessed the total bill would be maybe $14-16 - so I expected about $5 change
- The shop assistant handed me all 3 items, and some $12 change, which whilst carrying my shopping, I didn't count!
- I had already walked out the shop, when I looked at the change, and thought to myself
- There seems to be too much change
- I recalculated what I'd ordered - and was sure I'd received too much change!
- I will be honest - for a moment I tried to rationalise & tell myself "this is my lucky day!" & should I keep going down the street...?
- Funds continue to be lacking in my life - I could buy 2 more coffees later...
- At that moment, I remembered Rosa's LARK project...
- I went back into the shop and politely pointed out the situation
- Yes, they'd forgotten to charge me for the pastry, thanked me for being honest, and corrected the change
- I felt strongly the LARK message all around...
- Later on... I told this story at my usual cafe... and there the staff and I got immersed in a conversation about ethics... which got us discussing all manner of ways to be honest... debating scenarios like what if it happened in bigger shops like Coles... what if a vending machine overpaid... etc.
- I believe these other people will now spend their next few days thinking about honesty, ethics... and passing the conversation forward...
The moral perhaps - We can "Pay It Forward"... Even When We "Pay It Back"!
Shabbat Shalom,
Tsom Kal (Fast Effectively - to those that fast this Saturday night/Sunday)
Avraham
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Postscript from The Editor:
Our Jewish friends have been in the midst of Yom Kippur
which explains the fasting reference in Av's greeting.
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