Karma - from my point of view

I love the show "My Name is Earl" - the characters are great and the show is very funny. On the show Earl has had some very bad luck and he believes Karma is punishing him for all the people he has hurt in his life. So he makes a list of those people and tries to make it right again. It is an interesting concept but it's not quite how Karma works. In fact the show gets that point across too.

Karma isn't a "scratch my back and I'll scratch yours" type of thing. First, one should never give of themselves while expecting something in return. Second, the person you just helped is not likely the one who will return your Karma.

A simple example: Lets say you have a sick friend who needs something from the store. Even though you are very busy, you selflessly take time out to help this friend. The friend is very grateful but may not have the means beyond a simple thank you to let you know. Years later you are driving home from work and get a flat tire on the freeway only to find your spare is also flat. A kind stranger stops to help and soon you have it fixed. You don't have any money to give in return and in fact the stranger wouldn't take it anyway. These seemingly unrelated incidents are what Karma is all about.

While it is probably true that one good deed deserves another, those who expect an immediate return for their act of kindness will most surely be disappointed. Karma happens when your need arises, not when you think you deserve it. If you feel those you have helped are ungrateful, it is more likely that your own need has not yet appeared.

Rest assured Karma is watching and what goes around - comes around.