Years ago, when the kids were very young, we were going to the mall. Everybody had their own money and had planned on what they were going to buy and have for lunch. It was going to be a good day. When we got there, I could see Christian on his knees looking frantically for something. 

He had lost his wallet. 

Understandably, his countenance changed, his body became heavy, and despite his best effort to hold it in, the big tears began to flow. It would be easy for a parent to just rush in and replace what was lost, but if you have learned anything from me, I allow life to teach us what it intends for us to learn. 

His wallet…your mojo (fill it in as we go along) 

I told Christian, 

“Re-trace your steps and go back to the last time you had your wallet. See and feel the last time you touched the money. The good feeling you had knowing you had earned it and were now going to spend it on something fun and worthwhile”. 

We all got back in the car to head home to search for his wallet. I could see him in the third row and his face was still a mess. The mood was spreading to the rest of us.  He needed a change of state to take his mind from his lost wallet. I put in a Cd of Pan music…yes, I said Pan music. It was happy, catchy music and we always had a good time listening to it. The first song didn’t do it, but by the second song… 

He began to sing! 

His face lit up as he sang, and he smiled the kind of smile that let me know he had put the lost wallet in a “better mental place”.  By the fourth song, he was the loudest of the group and then got quiet for a moment and exclaimed, 

“I know where I left it!” 

When we pulled into the driveway, he got out by himself and went right to the spot he remembered. As he came back to the truck, wallet proudly in hand, I asked him how he felt. As a child of about 8 or 9 years old, he said something that has stayed with me every time I want to get down on how things are going in my life… 

“Grateful.” 

I received more responses from people about lost mojo than any other daily Crumb. I understand. If I had to use only one word to tell you how to find it, that word would be… 

Gratitude.

Be grateful for the gifts you have and determine to use them to their highest capacity. 

Be grateful for the opportunities in front of you and be grateful that the experiences behind you will help you maximize them. 

Be grateful for “that job”, even if it isn’t the one you thought you would be working, at this stage of your life. 

Be grateful for life, strength and a sound mind to do what you must do. 

Be grateful that it ain’t over yet! 

If you did not see the simple steps in Christian’s journey to recover what was lost, here they are: 

1. Re-trace your steps to the last time you felt empowered about your life. 
2. Let those you trust, help you in your search to find the best you.  
3. Change your state and stop focusing on what is missing.  
4. The mind (vision and imagination) will find it first.  
5. Once enlightened, do the necessary work and the circumstances will follow.  
6. Be grateful.

Simple steps when something in your life is..

Lost and found!