“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?