Lessons From Broken Glass

Last week, I heard about a story on the news of a neighborhood restaurant robbery. Honestly, the fact that the robbery was near me was what made me even pay close attention to it. A 28 year old male decided that it would be a good idea to break into a restaurant early in the morning before they opened. He didn’t steal any cash, but he did take some of the family heirlooms hanging in the restaurant (along with other expensive items). In total, the restaurant owner suffered close to $10,000 in damages.  

I could only imagine how confused and furious the restaurant owner must have been when he arrived at his place of business that morning. When the news reporter interviewed him, he was surprisingly calm. He did convey his feelings of frustration and anger. However, he showed no signs of a temper during the entire interview. In fact, him and his staff made light of the situation on their lunch menu that day. They were announcing that their chicken tortilla soup was back. Next to the menu item, they requested that customers just don’t break the glass to try to get it. 

Could this man have just been playing it cool for the cameras? Absolutely. He didn’t have to though. In fact, it would have been less shocking to see footage of him being irate about the damage and investment lost for his business. He was truly an inspiration of how someone can take something bad and turn it around for their advantage. In a sense, it was (costly) publicity for his business.

I know I will be visiting his restaurant now, because of the news report. I admired his strength and optimism. How many of you would have been able to react the same way? I don’t think I could have. There’s definitely a lesson and a blessing in every broken glass situation. The question is are we open and willing to learn it.