All Psyched Up: Karma
By Linda Hancock on May 25, 2024.
Often my daughter makes a statement about the word “karma” implying that when it occurs, the person who gets it will suffer. I have recently been thinking about this concept and have tried to put the idea into a simple narrative. Those who present as victims might feel that the world is out to get them and that their life is suffering from evil that they didn’t deserve. Now that might be very true in some circumstances, but I believe we all need to think about the ways in which we might actually be attracting karma. Think about what will happen if you want to grow orchids. I have read about the unique requirements that this plant requires in order to grow and bloom so expertise is required. Perhaps this is the reason that they sell for such a large price. If you want to grow orchids but plant cactus, it won’t take long until you will be very disappointed. Instead of colorful petals and a beautiful fragrance, you will get sharp needles. Now you can blame the government, your family or friends for the crop that you have grown, or you can look in the mirror and take accountability for the fact that you were the one who actually planted the cactus. Karma, in simple terms, means that what you receive crops in life as a direct result of what you have planted. Mean thoughts, abusive behaviors, gossip, arrogance, lack of accountability, lying, stealing, cheating, fraudulent practices, eventually all come back in negative results to the one who propagates them. Now it might not mean that those who tell lies will be lied to by others, but it might! Instead, it might come back in other forms, such as guilt, regret or nefarious treatment from unexpected sources. From example, those with negative energy might not be received with the same welcome as those who are positive. Their energy doesn’t smell as good as an orchid and others realize that very quickly. We wonder about how some people can be so problematic and, at the same time, not seem to receive any appropriate consequences. My answer to that is that we don’t know what goes on behind closed doors or in the middle of the night. We also don’t know what might happen at the end of life. It just seems to me, however, that those who are planting cactus seem to attract a lot of “needle-like” occurrences throughout their lives that they tend to blame on others. The interesting thing is that each of us always is allowed a new crop year and opportunity to grow orchids. Sometimes we meet people who have expertise and experience with growing a beautiful life and we have the choice as to whether we will learn from them or instead continue in our own old cactus ways. If we reject the help and advice guess what? Another crop of cacti! If we choose to learn the lessons, then we will soon enjoy a life filled with beauty and positivity. What are you planting this year? (Hope it is cactus). Oh, and if you aren’t sure how to do that, just do a little research and ask for help from the ones who seem to be getting the results that you want! Dr. Linda Hancock, the author of “Life is An Adventure…every step of the way” and “Open for Business Success” is a Registered Psychologist who has a private practice in Medicine Hat. She can be reached at 403-529-6877 or through email office@drlindahancock.com 16-15
