Do I Believe in Karma?

 Karma is the belief that our actions and choices can shape not only our lives but also our future. I was very young when I understood the law of Karma, and it is very true and something I believe because even the Holy Bible talks about it, “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap” (Galatians 6:7). It is not possible to plant an apple seed and expect to harvest an orange. That is how life is. What you sow is what you reap. Just like it is being said that respect is reciprocal — when you give respect to others, the same is reciprocated back to you, and that is how life should be. Karma is something natural that happens as a result of our actions towards ourselves and others. While some would say that karma is also revenge, I would strongly object to that because there’s a big difference between the two. Karma is not a revenge but revenge can be a karma. Karma, for example, is when you are reaping the consequences of your own actions towards others. Like when you treat people badly today, the same will be done to you by others later, especially at a time when you least expect it. Another scenario is when you refuse to work hard today but choose to be lazy and ignore opportunities, and after a while, you become poor as a result of that. But talking about revenge, it is an action carried out purposely by someone you hurt in the past. Revenge has to do with someone’s intent to hurt you back due to what you did to them. For instance, someone you once betrayed and made them feel hurt or traumatised might always find ways to hurt you back, even going as far as seeking help from others who would be willing to join in hurting you. So, in summary, karma happens naturally as life comes back to you what you’ve done to others, while revenge is a personal act. It is someone’s deliberate effort to make you feel the pain you caused them. So, I truly believe that karma is real and it catches up on us unexpectedly, and this is why we need to think of our actions now so we don’t reap the consequences in a hurtful way. Because one of the painful things in life is regret.  Regret is a deadly enemy; it waits for us silently at the junction of our actions, without warning, until we face the reality ourselves. Our actions towards ourselves and others will definitely bring a result, either good or bad. Just like what my Dad used to tell us while growing up, he would say, “the way we lie down is how we are going to meet ourselves,” and that we won’t be a different person when we look at the mirror. So, what we want for ourselves tomorrow is determined by the present actions we take today. Let’s also remember that how we live our lives today will determine where we will spend eternity because eventually karma will return, and by then, there won’t be a second chance. --- _{*Images are property of Chatgpt*}