Creating Positive Karma
Posted by John Draper | Filed under Life Lessons
Who out there believes in Karma? You know, that idea that holds What goes around, comes around, or Do onto others as you would have them do onto you, because they will.
I believe in Karma. I believe that when you take advantage of people, lie to your partner, disappoint your friends, it makes for an unhappy life because you’re looking at some lies and disappointments in your own future. I also believe in small acts of kindness adding up over time and paying off in spades, just when you need it most.
I like to leave quarters in shopping carts for the next person to come along and find. I smile every time I think about that person trying to find a quarter, and then coming upon a cart that doesn’t need one. Since I’ve personally been on the receiving end of the quarter, and enjoyed the experience, I continue to pass it on. Ditto walking past parking meters that are about to expire; I always drop in a quarter. (Where I live, a quarter can still buy you some time.) I hold doors for people with their arms full of packages or children, wait patiently for elderly folks to shuffle out of the way, and smile at anyone who looks me in the eye. All these small things are returned to me because people are kind to me, are willing to help me out when I’m messing up, and equally willing to smile at me.
Karma is kind of like saving money; you stick a little away every day, week, month, knowing that this positive action will pay back when you need it most. You’re not “owed” a repayment of your good will or effort; you’re simply trusting that what goes around will come around. It is faith in the fact that when you do the right thing, you will generate positive things for yourself in the future.
Karma applies to lots of aspects of life: from your relationships with your co-workers, to your attitude toward your neighbours; from your focus on being financially balanced, to your commitment to keeping a work/life balance.
Okay, so if you believe in Karma, you know that not paying your creditors can’t be a good thing. The negative energy created by defaulting doesn’t add to your overall positive aura. But having a plan to become debt free can carry a huge positive aura, particularly since each time you execute a step in your plan, you’re creating a wave of positive energy that will move you forward.
Not respecting the energy you’ve exchanged for money is another way of creating negative Karma. Money is, after all, your energy converted into currency. Go ahead and rip up a $20 bill (not really, it’s against the law; just imagine it.) How do you feel about how hard you had to work to make that $20 and the sense of loss for that wasted energy? You should feel the same way whenever you waste money on crap when you KNOW you don’t have your financial house in order. Rest assured that it is only a matter of time before that waste comes and bites you in the butt.
Money, in and of itself, doesn’t mean anything. It’s what you do with the money. And since all action creates Karma (if you believe in Karma), then what you do with your money creates Karma. Money is a tool, a means to an end. If you don’t know the end you want to achieve, you’re likely spinning your wheels and building up a lot of negative energy where, with a plan, you could be creating positive Karma.
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October 3, 2008 at 10:51 am
I agree, what goes around comes around. Unfortunately most people don’t think its true hence all the unhappy people complaining how the world owes them and won’t deliver. There is a saying”a miser won’t part with the crust of a piece of dried bread” so true and yet most of us in our personal lives do exactly that, we want and want and want and what do put into the relationships -nada, zero, nothing!
October 3, 2008 at 12:27 pm
If you want to see a look of confusion, keep the door open for young teenager or say thank you to the children or teenagers who hold a door open for you. Those who are not used to being treated like a grown up (or with respect) seem to live it as quite an experience.
Teach by doing.
October 3, 2008 at 12:46 pm
So many things to say about this one!!!
First of all that $20 experiment, I DO feel remorse when I know I have frittered away my hard earned money on crap…. that’s why I feel better saving than shopping I suppose. (Oh happy day we are almost at the 3 month emergency fund now, and no consumer debt!!!!! Happy happy happy, no pretty pair of shoes can bring that feeling! The RRSPs look terrible right now, but I have a LONG way off before I need to sell them, – I hope, hope, hope they market improves drastically by then….)
As for Karma, when you were in Nanaimo, I managed to get a hug from you, and I am SO glad that I did! Just from watching your show I got the impression you are a genuinely caring person, not in the mushy “everything is always okay” sort of way but in the “buck up and show some backbone – you are worth the effort” sort of way! And that I respect and admire. That hug was from a kindred spirit, thank you so much. I love that you leave money in the carts, it’s the little things, the mini acts of kindness — I never pass up the opportunity to give someone a genuine compliment (even a tiny one) or give someone my place in line if I have a cartload of groceries. I hope it helps their day feel nicer, and therefore they are nicer with their day! I know it makes me feel good.
Then there is the money karma….. my husband came home last week and told me about a coworker that has moved back east to Winnipeg, he just packed up the wife and kids and left his job, his house and all his reponsibilities. They had over extended on their financial commitments, and only saw one way out. Since they knew they were going to declare bankrupcy, they RACKED UP their credit cards on bling and crap before abandoning the whole mess!!!! How can they sleep at night? He was BRAGGING to my husband how easy it was!!!! They didn’t earn it, they cheated, and in a real way, they STOLE the stuff!!! Talk about bad karma.
October 3, 2008 at 12:49 pm
I can see you doing those things Gail! Speaking of positive karma, I have been following your money jar system and filling out the interactive budget sheet for two months now! It amazes me when you allow so little money in an individual money jar and the people say they have money left at the end of the month! I have to grit my teeth, stay home, go to bed early, take a shower, freeze my credit card and my debit card, take a long walk, hide my bus transit card to keep from spending the money in the jars! I even had to put them in the basement so they weren’t so handy! However, I am remaining positive throughout and I did have some extra money to put away for a special goal. I had been wondering what to do with it and I saw in one of your shows that the money can be put in another jar for a special goal so that’s what I did. Isn’t it amazing how I hang on to your every word!
October 3, 2008 at 1:28 pm
A lovely post, thank you very much Gail.
October 3, 2008 at 2:22 pm
Thanks Gail for another great post. I have used the pay it forward concept many times – especially with the quarter-fed grocery carts. People are so thankful when you give them a cart – without taking their quarter in return! It gives me that warm feeling all over. As for karma in general, yes I believe in it. If you think positive thoughts, positive energy comes your way. I have read different books on that, and if you want to do something, think of it in a positive spin, rather than the negative. Like attracts like – being positive attracts positive. I just received an email that inspires me – wake up in the morning knowing it will be a good day – and chances are it will be. Wake up and be negative, and guess what, negativity will follow you everywhere. Have a “positively” great weekend!
October 3, 2008 at 11:54 pm
Awesome! Awesome! Awesome!
Thank you, Gail.
October 4, 2008 at 7:25 am
doing nice things for others feel so good in itself that i feel that can be the reward, even if it doesn’t come around (i believe it always sill eventually).
doing something nice or random for someone else makes MY day.
October 4, 2008 at 8:21 am
We have a lot of retirees in our small town and they always appreciate it when our teenage son holds doors open or makes some small talk while in line. We try hard to practice random acts of kindness whenever possible. The smallest of gestures can mean so much. It’s not about what you get back, but a smile on someone’s face is worth that bit of extra effort you put in!
Thanks Gail for your random acts of kindness each day – your show and blog is entertaining and so helpful! It certainly is a much better world when people are nice to one another!
October 5, 2008 at 7:48 pm
Karma is very real to me … and I have always lived by it’s principles. Even something as simple as a smile given towards somebody – can impact their day in a positive way. (It amazes me how stingy people can be, with something so easy, free & simple to give as a smile). Even though I’m a rather shy individual (less so as I age) … I always try to smile at the people I meet. I know that positive energy has passed, when I get a real smile back, and it is really neat!
And I totally agree with the quarter in the shopping cart. My husband and I are working class … so we don’t have wads of dough. But you know what? We always find small ways to pay it forward. Bringing the elderly lady across the streets garbage cart back to her garage from the curb, after pickup day. Donating all the shampoo, lotion, and other freebie samples I get from online – to our churches Matthew 25 pantry. Baking for the weekly community meal. Etc… The point is, there really are an abundance of ways for ordinary folks like me to make a positive difference in this world. And you know what … the more good energy that I put out … the more that comes back at me! It really is true!
October 5, 2008 at 8:20 pm
Me, me, and me! *hand up way high* I truly believe in it. Earlier this year I was pushed out of my job by my employer, and I fought back, It took 9 months to have the whole situation resolved with outside help and the end result was me receiving compensation for said actions. I’ve used my compensation to pay down my student loan and my credit card this month. WAHOO!