Karma

I think people overestimate the power of Karma. If such a thing does, in fact, exist, it is not the all ruling power in the world. Self-discipline, parenting styles, plain old simple luck, all of these things still play an important factor in people and what happens to them in the course of their lives. I was in the shower today and I happened to look down and catch a glimpse of my tattoo. What would have usually been a look-and-forget, simply blending into the everyday sights of my routinely life, stood out and caught my attention. The word "Karam" (Karma in Sakskrit) stood out bolder than the rest of the tattoo. I thought back to when I got this tattoo and where I was in my life at that point.

Everything had seemed perfect that May in 2010. My school was amazing, my family was healthy and happy, my friends were all great, and while most of that holds true today, some things have changed. For those that dont know what I'm referring to, my mother was diagnosed with ALS last July. I won't get into details about that because that's not what this blogpost is about. It's not yet another self-wallowing blogpost (God knows I've had enough of those) but it's simply evaluating the meaning of the word "Karma" and how my view on it is a little different than other people's.

To be honest, I'm quite tired of seeing status posts from sad little girls that resemble the usual "Omg he likes someone else. Karma will take care of him". Yeah...not exactly. I'm sorry to disappoint you ladies, but that's not how Karma works. People, especially on this side of the planet in this day and age, tend to think that every time someone hurts them or causes them any discomfort, they will somehow magically be "taken care of" by Karma. What they forget is something very very important: intention. If a person does not intend to cause pain, why would any higher power, may it be God's will or just the entire cycle of cause and effect, work against said person?

Karma is not punishment or retribution but simply an extended expression or consequence of natural acts. It is not a judge in black robes in the universal version of a court house. Every action one takes leaves an imprint on the world in some way or another. THis in turn, affects something which affects someone which makes something happen which will eventually, come back to you. It's a cycle of actions, reactions and consequences.

Am I glad my skin is forever etched with this word? Yes, I am. Having faith in Karma is a little like having faith in a God. Karma is my idea of a higher power. It's my personal way of dealing with situations I can't explain. I remember this story from "The Pursuit of Happyness":

"There was a man who was drowning, and a boat came, and the man on the boat said "Do you need help?" and the man said "God will save me". Then another boat came and he tried to help him, but he said "God will save me", then he drowned and went to Heaven. Then the man told God, "God, why didn't you save me?" and God said "I sent you two boats, you dummy!"

Karma works in weird ways. Take opportunities. Take action. Stop waiting for some higher power to fix things for you. Do shit yourself and with dignity.