I’ve been doing a considerable amount of thinking lately about karma. Preoccupied, really, with the thought that many of those around me (I’m speaking about your average Joe/Jane on the street here) do not seem to care one way or the other about their actions coming back to them. They float through life concerned only with their own comfort and well-being. Somehow selfishness has become a cultural norm.
For those of you who aren’t familiar with the term, karma in its name sake is a Hindu ideology. But the idea of karma can be found in almost all religions. Jesus himself said you will reap what you sew, and essentially that is exactly what karma is. In other words, what you put out into the universe will come back to you. If you’re putting out good, you’re getting good back and the opposite is true too. However, this seems to be lost on most people.
Now I am not about to claim that I have the world’s cleanest slate where karma is concerned. Sadly, I seem to regularly do things that certainly are not helping to cleanse my spirit, but these are not matters to be discussed here (although this is probably what got me on this train of thought in the first place). I’m not necessarily talking about the deeper moral implications of karma, but the simple side.
I’m talking about basic human decency. I’m talking about holding the door open for the person coming in behind you. I’m talking about not cutting people off for the parking spot three places closer to the mall. I’m talking about not screaming at the person who is serving your food/drink because it took 15 seconds longer than your patience lasts. This also includes not trying to rip people off in order to save 16 cents. And don’t let me forget about those folks who laugh at homeless people, cut in line, don’t clean up after themselves in public, steal food at the grocery store and eat it before they get to the register, and talk down to others.
I’m sure you’re thinking I’m being a little harsh here, but stop and think about it for a second. How many times have you been affected by the selfish acts of others? Most likely it’s more times than you can even begin to count. So what am I suggesting? It’s simple; start treating your fellow human with a little more respect and I but you’ll notice you start getting a lot more respect back.
Fashion note: The necklace is the Karma necklace; it goes for around $68 and can be found at www.dogeared.com.
For those of you who aren’t familiar with the term, karma in its name sake is a Hindu ideology. But the idea of karma can be found in almost all religions. Jesus himself said you will reap what you sew, and essentially that is exactly what karma is. In other words, what you put out into the universe will come back to you. If you’re putting out good, you’re getting good back and the opposite is true too. However, this seems to be lost on most people.
Now I am not about to claim that I have the world’s cleanest slate where karma is concerned. Sadly, I seem to regularly do things that certainly are not helping to cleanse my spirit, but these are not matters to be discussed here (although this is probably what got me on this train of thought in the first place). I’m not necessarily talking about the deeper moral implications of karma, but the simple side.
I’m talking about basic human decency. I’m talking about holding the door open for the person coming in behind you. I’m talking about not cutting people off for the parking spot three places closer to the mall. I’m talking about not screaming at the person who is serving your food/drink because it took 15 seconds longer than your patience lasts. This also includes not trying to rip people off in order to save 16 cents. And don’t let me forget about those folks who laugh at homeless people, cut in line, don’t clean up after themselves in public, steal food at the grocery store and eat it before they get to the register, and talk down to others.
I’m sure you’re thinking I’m being a little harsh here, but stop and think about it for a second. How many times have you been affected by the selfish acts of others? Most likely it’s more times than you can even begin to count. So what am I suggesting? It’s simple; start treating your fellow human with a little more respect and I but you’ll notice you start getting a lot more respect back.
Fashion note: The necklace is the Karma necklace; it goes for around $68 and can be found at www.dogeared.com.
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