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Monday, October 25, 2010
Frida and Babette, a Tale of Karma
The word "karma" is so loaded. People often cleave to it as their last hope of justice. I've come to feel that it's always present, always timely, and more often than not, less obvious than most people are expecting.
Recently, I saw karma come around in an interesting way. Sharing this is a bit tricky.
In fact, for those of you reading the last few posts, this very situation has resulted in me deciding NOT to share my blog on FB. Because I wouldn't dare be doing this post if I thought most of my friends list would bother to read my blog.
I watched an exchange between Frida and Babette (names changed to protect the innocent), where Babette was nice to Frida's face, but the opposite behind her back. Babette got into a tangle with life that seemed so obviously "symbolic" to me. I think I am the only one who noticed the karma coming around for what it was.
I had been struggling internally ... torn between wanting to be supportive of Frida, but knowing it could have a negative domino effect for her and so many others as well as the future. I reminded myself that more often than not people are not random victims, but more specifically, victims of their own choices --or-- that it's so easy to label some negative event as a victimization, and then later learn that it was all for the better. I reminded myself, that even tho I was worried about Frida, the situation could still be for her highest good. I bit my tongue. I showed support to her privately. And I told myself, "what goes around eventually comes around" ...even if I never get to see that. But I got to see it this time. :)
Schadenfreude. n. Pleasure dervived from the misfortune of others.
I have to admit quite guiltily, when I saw karma come around and knock Babette upside the head, I actually felt a glimmer of justice. I felt terrible about it, but I smiled. I smiled for myself and for Frida. I smiled because I saw first hand that what you put out there does indeed come back to you.
It's rarely tit for tat. More often than not, it's about the quality of life that is magnetized to the person. That's the karma. It's not as obvious as Babette chops down a forest and a tree falls on her in a park and breaks her arm. But justice is visible in Babette's life. I think that's why so many people don't learn from their karma. They don't see the connection between their choices and the quality of their lives. Babette doesn't make the connection.
There may be more trouble in the future too. But I feel more peaceful than normal with the situation, knowing that Babette will continue to reap what she sews. As will Frida. Frida will be fine. Things may continue just the way they are for quite some time. I'm not expecting anything dramatic, nor do I even hope for it. I just know that Babette is creating the quality of her life by how she treats others. If you're a snake who likes to bite people, expect that the snake wranglers will eventually come for you.
Do I think that all bad things that happen to me or others are a result of deserved punishment? No. That's a very western-religious perspective. But I do, for example, think I was supposed to learn something from having injurred my foot. It had dramatic impact on my last few months, during which I slowed down, focused, and grappled with some personal demons. I was where I needed to be.
For me, life is a conversation. I see unlimited opportunities handed to me to learn to take control of what I'm magnetizing. Sometimes the results I see are obvious, and sometimes they're hidden.
But I wouldn't be surprised to hear that a tree fell on Babette. Just sayin'.
~Shephard
Labels: Of Mice and Mondays
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