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Karma isn’t so Black and White, like ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ #thursday #atozchallenge #atoz
Thursday, April 12, 2012 at 8:20PM 
“What goes around comes around, what goes up must come down”
“Karma” by Alicia Keys is one of the more upbeat tunes on my playlist that I enjoy listening to often. In the song, she talks about an ex-boyfriend who ended their relationship and now wants her back. Although this tune focuses on matters of the heart, the subject of karma has a funny way of playing out in various aspects of our everyday existence.
I’ve come to realize that the whole "nice guys finish last" saying can apply to anyone, regardless of age or gender. Sometimes, I feel like those who engage in questionable behavior such as theft, lying, fraud, murder or even living recklessly still get over while those who are relatively upstanding citizens get the short end of the stick. Take social assistance programs for example, welfare, child care subsidies, health care -- many (not all) people manipulate these programs for their own greedy interests while others who could really use the help get nothing more than a cold shoulder from society -- such as military veterans, the disabled or the elderly.
Who knows if everyone will see how karma comes into play in their lifetime. Sometimes it doesn’t balance things out and other times, it arrives just in the nick of time. It reminds me of the movie "It's a Wonderful Life" because the main character George spent a lot of his life giving his time, money, compassion, support and energy to others, despite rarely getting anything in return.
Just when George is at the point of no return in his worst of moments due to the potential loss of his business and ever-mounting legal troubles, his friends provide enough resources and support that that inspires him to get a new lease on life.
You have the power to create some positive karma in the spirit of giving to others while also getting some reciprocity by conducting a Secret Santa themed DVD gift exchange that can include both new and used items, at your next holiday party.
The gift exchange doesn't even have to be exclusive to the holiday season. You can hold a "Christmas in July," “Summer Santa” or a "Kwanzaa in July," etc. exchange for birthday parties, graduation parties, dinner parties, anniversary parties or whatever you are celebrating. Add any other movie memorabilia or merchandise such assoundtracks, etc. if you want to mix things up.
Add an extra dose of generosity by collecting $1 or so from each guest at your party, to donate a piece of movie merchandise to a charity that you choose or one that guests vote on. If I attended a party where a Secret gift exchange was being held, I would probably give away my “The Box” DVD since it’s in like-new condition. I’ve only watched it once, just like I probably played my Lord of the Rings stratego board game once or twice, so I could give that to someone else who would make better use of it. If I were hosting a secret gift exchange party, I would use the money collected from donations to purchase gifts for child hospital patients, through the Childs Play charity.
I’m no video game fiend but learned about Child’s Play charity last year and it’s among one of the coolest organizations that I’d be proud to support. This organization partners with retailers such as Amazon and provides entertainment for young children undergoing medical treatment.
Supporters purchase gifts from the wish lists of dozens of hospitals around the country where a DVD or movie related video game that is donated through Childs Play is then given to one or more children who are patients at a particular facility of your choosing. As of this writing, I see that the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh has an Xbox360 LEGO “Pirates of the Caribbean” game on their wish list. Since I’m in Pennsylvania, that particular hospital and item would likely be my donations picks.
Do YOU believe in Karma?
If The Madlab Post was sponsoring a donation of one DVD movie to any hospital around the country, which hospital would YOU want it to be sent to? Why that one?
If The Madlab Post was sponsoring a donation to any one charity around the country, which one would YOU want this blog to support?
Reader Comments (7)
I believe that there's such a thing as karma. I'd like to think that positive actions will be returned to you in your time of need. After all, life's too short to go around playing the bad guy.
As for DVD donations, I'd definitely have to go with the UC San Diego Sulpizio Cardiovascular Center. They gave my dad a new heart and a new lease on life.
If you're interested, there's a 4 minute clip on youtube with my mom and dad. Check it out at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaVontW-FFs
I do believe in karma and specifically that it "has a funny way of playing out in various aspects of our everyday existence." That's a great way to put it!
As far as donations, I'm a big fan of Children's hospitals around the country.
Eat Live Move: Intuitive Eating from A to Z
Not sure where I stand on 'Karma' - however, even if no-one returns the favour, doing something good for someone else puts a smile on my face and lightens my step for the rest of the day. I suppose it's all to do with the 'feel-good' factor!
BTW - thanks for stopping by my blog earlier! Happy A-Z'ing!
SueH I refuse to go quietly!
Yup, Karma-believer all the way!
I'm clicking on random blogs that catch my eye from the A to Z Challenge site. I full believe in Karma and its effects on us.
I DO believe in Karma, because I have seen it play out so often in my own life. It's not so "tit for tat" as we like to think, and we can change our karma simply by choosing to do differently the next time. It's hard to observe people "get away" with things, but I try to trust that they will suffer the consequences - perhaps not, as you say, in a straight-line fashion, but in some way. And it's hard to trust that and let it be okay that we can't necessarily be there to watch it happen! That might be the hardest part. I loved this K choice.
Yes I believe that what goes around - comes around.....not always from the same direction. When you give out good it WILL come back ...you just don't know when or exactly how. In Christianity we speak about sowing seeds....I definitely believe in planting the postive!! I have seen this work in my life time and time again and I have seen the opposite occure too!
As for which hospital ...I would recommend Levines Children's Hospital in Chalotte NC... They are doing amazing work to help children and took great care of my child when need arose. I am thankful!
Childrens Play Charity sounds like a fantastic organization and I will be looking for it to learn more about what they do.
Thanks for sharing this post...I really enjoyed it #atozChallenge is Great!
Jaelma
http://www.themochalife.wordpress.com