An Unexpected Experience in America: Lessons on Karma
During my travels in America, I encountered a situation where the food delivery I ordered never arrived. What began as a frustrating experience turned into a thought-provoking encounter with the concept of karma. As Hypnosis creator Tamura, I’d like to share this story and the lessons I learned from it.
The Incident: A Delivery That Never Came
It was a rainy day in Dallas. Without an umbrella and wary of catching a cold during my trip, I decided to stay indoors and order delivery. I chose a restaurant called “Sushizushi” and placed an online order via their website, paying in advance with my credit card. In America, prepayment for delivery seemed like a standard practice.
I waited for 90 minutes, but the food never arrived. Growing impatient, I called the restaurant from my hotel room. The response was shocking—each time I tried to explain my issue, the person on the other end abruptly hung up. This happened four or five times, leaving me frustrated and confused. Such poor customer service was unimaginable in Japan.
Finally, after 120 minutes of waiting, I went down to the hotel lobby and asked a staff member to call on my behalf. Here’s how the conversation went:
- Hotel Staff: “Our guest ordered online, but the delivery hasn’t arrived.”
- Sushizushi: “We attempted the delivery, but we didn’t know the room number, so we returned the food to the restaurant.”
I was perplexed. I had clearly entered my room number when placing the order. Despite this, the restaurant claimed they couldn’t find it. They promised to redeliver the food, offering to refund the cost of the melted dessert. I returned to my room to wait.
Broken Promises and an Unbelievable Lie
By 10 PM, the food still hadn’t arrived. Frustrated, I once again asked the hotel staff to call the restaurant. This time, their response left me utterly speechless:
- Sushizushi: “The food has already been delivered. Why are you calling?”
The restaurant blatantly lied, claiming the order had been completed. It was at that moment I realized I had fallen victim to fraud. The idea of being scammed over a food delivery was astonishing. While I had heard stories of customers cheating restaurants, this was the first time I experienced a restaurant cheating a customer. Approximately $40 had been stolen, and there was no way to prove otherwise.
A Ray of Kindness: The Indian Hotel Staff
Seeing my frustration, the kind hotel staff stepped in. One staff member, an Indian man, offered to drive me to a nearby McDonald’s since there were no nearby food options within walking distance. His generosity and calm demeanor during the drive were heartwarming.
During our ride, we struck up a conversation:
- Staff: “What is your religion?”
- Tamura: “I am a Buddhist.”
- Staff: “Karma. It’s all about karma.”
He elaborated, “When you do good, good things will come back to you. When you do bad, bad things will happen to you. The restaurant staff may have cheated you out of $40, but they will eventually face the consequences of their actions. You, on the other hand, should continue doing the right thing.”
His words resonated deeply. Despite the loss and frustration, his perspective helped me view the situation differently. Furthermore, when I offered him a tip as thanks for his help, he declined. His selflessness left a lasting impression.
Letting Go for the Sake of Peace
The next day, I had to leave Dallas, which meant I couldn’t afford to waste time chasing a refund. While $40 is not an insignificant amount, I decided to let it go. Pursuing the matter further would have been a drain on my energy and time. Instead, I chose to focus on my journey and look forward to visiting the site of JFK’s assassination the following day.
This decision wasn’t about giving up but about prioritizing my peace of mind. The Indian staff member’s words about karma encouraged me to trust that justice would prevail in some form.
Lessons from Karma
This experience reminded me of the importance of maintaining integrity and focusing on what truly matters. The concept of karma, as explained by the hotel staff, emphasizes that our actions have consequences, even if they are not immediately apparent.
While the restaurant staff may have succeeded in their short-term deception, they will inevitably face the repercussions of their actions. On the other hand, acts of kindness and integrity, like those of the Indian hotel staff, create ripples of positivity that return in unexpected ways.
Reflection: Beyond Monetary Loss
Although I lost $40, the experience brought valuable lessons and meaningful human connections. It also reaffirmed my belief in the importance of staying true to one’s values, even in the face of injustice. The hotel staff’s generosity and wisdom were reminders that there is goodness in the world, even amidst frustration.
Moving Forward
This incident in Dallas was not just a mishap but an opportunity for growth and reflection. It taught me that life’s challenges, no matter how trivial they may seem, can offer profound insights when approached with the right mindset.
As I prepare to continue my journey, I carry with me the lessons learned from this experience. Whether it’s about karma, integrity, or human kindness, this episode has enriched my perspective on life and the importance of focusing on what truly matters.
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