WOW Word-Of-the-Week #410: Karma
June 13, 2012 by Susan Clarke
Karma – what goes around comes around.
Do you believe that if you do a good deed for someone that it will come back to you in the form a good deed? Have you ever made a difference in a person’s life because you helped them? How did that make you feel?
Karla Peterson’s weekly column in the UT, titled MAKING A DIFFERENCE, featured Mark M. Read. She wrote, “He could say that he does it for the karma points, which are considerable. Or because it is the right thing to do, which it is. But the real reason he helps HomeAid San Diego build and renovate homes for the homeless is because he likes it.”
Mark says, “I do it for my own benefit. I heard a quote once that stuck with me: ‘You make a living by what you get. You make a life by what you give,’ and that feels right to me. It just feels good to be able to help.”
He goes on to say, “Before I got involved with this, I really knew nothing about homelessness. I never thought about having a roof over my head or food on the table. But when I saw what HomeAid could do for people, I thought, ‘If I can put deals together that can help this community, I’m all in.'”
HomeAid builds or remodels group homes and shelters that serve emancipated foster youth, seniors, veterans, and women and children affected by domestic violence and have completed 13 projects.
In response to how much he has given to the homeless, Mark says, “More than anything this makes me appreciate this life I’ve got. There is karma to charity. If you give back to your community, it makes you a better person. I really believe that.”
And I believe that too! This week’s focus is on karma. Has anyone ever helped you when you needed it? Do you have a favorite charity that you are involved in? Do you give money, your time, or both?
Reader Responses
“Karma. A great word. During my professional life I have never done anything where I expected anything in return. When I worked at Food Industry News and Pizza & Pasta magazine, I realized that I was in a position where I could help people, especially those who were young restaurant owners. When I would consider restaurants, I usually would review those that needed some positive publicity. Big money establishments with high profile owners did not have any difficulty getting press coverage. It was the smaller start-ups – mom and pops – that needed the biggest boost. I can’t tell you how many times I would get calls or letters from establishments that were just so grateful for the coverage and the numbers of people who went to the restaurant because of the story that I had written. That made me feel like I had helped someone. I was in a position where I could do that and used it to help a business. That gave me great satisfaction. I never expected anything in return. I was just happy to help. Paul McCartney once said, “The more you give, the more you get.” But when I give unconditionally it is not expecting anything in return. But the adage that what goes around, comes around, means that a positive aura has been sent out into the universe. And those vibes can be felt for a lifetime. I believe in good karma, and it truly makes our lives incredibly worthwhile, every day. Thanks for the word, Susan. Have a great week. – “Warrior” Joe
“Enjoyed your message on Karma. Wise words! Thanks for sharing.” – Em