Stealing .....taking what is not yours

       This week my daughter was mugged in London. It's a great word mugged isn't it. To a Londoner, or an English person, to be 'mug' is to be stupid. If someone 'takes you for a mug', they make a fool of you in some way, treating you as an idiot.  Following on from this, to 'be mugged', is to be robbed and often beaten or hurt in some way. The greater act of being taken advantage of. This is the act perpetrated on my daughter just last night. By someone cowardly, who thought she would be an easy touch. By someone who wanted what she had, or what they thought she had. In reality she has to struggle for every pound she has. With her disposable income being about as low as it can be. Nevertheless, on a rare night out, they cleaned her out and abused her.

         I know it could have been worse, and for the fact it wasn't, I am extremely grateful. She could have been seriously hurt, raped, even killed. Thank you all the powers that be, that she wasn't. That's the positive of the situation. The negatives are of course that she has had a frightening experience, which only time will tell how she copes with it. As a Mother, I am frustrated that I couldn't protect her from it, even though she is an adult. Also that I am not near her to give other than comfort from a distance. It is at these times, that living in a different country is the worst.

         I cannot be ruled by anger, or by fear. I can only hope that she, my lovely daughter, is struck by the same spirit of defiance. I wish with all my heart that she can maintain an ability to see and expect the best in her life. Even more so, that she has up to now. That she does not allow this crime to colour her attitude. Violence, robbery, coming in contact with cowardly people who are willing to lie, cheat, hurt or attack the weak for gain, can happen to anyone. It is a random mischance, or a series of bad decisions or incidents that come together to help creat a small...or a large disaster. She no doubt was in the wrong place at the wrong time. She had the misfortune to look as she had something worth stealing. She is a smart, well dressed girl. Then the worst misfortune, she caught the attention of a selfish, unscrupulous thief. Someone who thinks, if they think at all, that it is acceptable to take what they want, how they want.

           This person, I think a female, spiked her drink at a bar. The next thing she knew, she was on her knees in the toilet, with vomit over her shoes and her bag, or her money, was gone. With no memory of what happened in between the two. How dreadful and frightening trying to make sense of that scenario must have been. How cowardly of the person responsible to target her, drug her, bundle her into the toilet and rob her. Without one thought of her injuries, her state of mind, or her ability to manage, injured and without money. She was injured, spending the night in hospital, she has been left afraid and in a muddle financially. The assailant has, for now and probably for good, walked off scott free. No doubt well pleased to have got something for nothing.

            I read somewhere today, just by chance...which of course is never by chance. That every commandment, except one, in the Ten Commandments is about theft. I find that an over exaggeration,  but nevertheless, many do refer to taking what is not yours. There is straight theft of goods, theft of a wife, theft of a life, taking the day of rest as a working day, taking the good name of your parents, even wanting, coveting what is your neighbours. The majority do refer to wanting what you have no right to have. In the case of violence, or a mugging, the taking of a persons peace of mind too.

              Well, I said they probably got off 'scott free', perhaps Karma will hit them back at some point. That is not for me to say, but they do say 'what comes around, goes around'. Sooner to later, I think it does go full circle, as I have seen in many instances of this for myself. You are supposed to 'turn the other cheek', as if to say....hit me again if you wish. I can't go along with that. But I won't wish them ill, I won't be as they are. I only wish my daughter well and stronger, even richer, than before.

               I will remind you all to take sensible precautions about where and when you travel, or spend your time. Just to be sensibly cautious, to keep most of your money elsewhere than your purse. To keep your keys separate, not to flash expensive things in public if you can avoid it. To be vigilant with your drinks, don't leave it unatended. In fact, be very aware of who is near and what is happening nearby. It can be worse than the Wild West out there, but that doesn't mean you should be a prisoner in your own house. Learn to use your instinct and if something feels wrong, it probably is! Don't be fearful, as fear draws disasters, but walk confidently, stand confidently and feel confident, but be smart, be aware. Even if, like my daughter, you are abused, or taken advantage of, remain strong. Remain better, stronger and more able than the scum who would like to take what is yours. Including your peace of mind.

                Be safe out there....sending you all love and protection.....especially my daughter.