2.19.2007

What goes around, comes around. Or does it?

Is it inevitable that people get what is coming to them?

Maybe I'm too much of a cynic to believe in karma, but during a dinner discussion with three relatively successful and savvy companions (Max, Jules, and her part-time boyfriend Job), I was the only who wasn't a believer.

"People get what they deserve," Job declared. "In the end, what goes around, comes around." Max and Jules nodded in agreement as if this wishful babble was part of Einstein's theory of relativity.

"I only this was true, but I don't believe it. I can think of too many examples of perfectly evil people who are living life to the full these days." I responded.

"But in the end, trust me, their evil deeds will come back to them." Jules shot back.

So you know, we weren't speaking of axe murderers and serial killers. Three of the four of us were divorcees whose ex-spouses had made an absurdity out of their marriage vows. And Jules, the only person who had never been married, had still experienced the drama and turbulence that goes along with bad relationships. Everyone wanted to believe that down the road, somewhere and somehow, those who had inflicted such emotional pain would come to regret their actions.

This theory is like the promise of an oceanfront home in the desert. I'm not buying it--not that I wouldn't want to. When I think about most of my ex-significant others, I do so with hardly a care or twinge of interest. But there are a certain few that even years later, still invoke a sense of outrage in my heart. To this day, I don't wish them well. Any hint that these individuals are happy brings me a little sadness. And for this, I am ashamed.

It would be so much easier to believe in karma, or in the idea that no bad deed goes unpunished. But life experiences tell me that things just don't work that way.

What do you think?

4 comments:

kenju said...

I absolutely believe in karma. It is the law of cause and effect. Everything we do has an effect on the world around us and sooner or later, it will boomerang back. It just may not happen in a time frame that you can see and be aware of.

Randi said...

I don't know if I necessarily believe in "Karma", but I Definitely believe that The Negative People In Our Life Find Ways Out Of Our Lives all on thier very own. Sometimes they Implode. Sometimes they Leave On Their Own Accord. But, in the end, they are Out Of Your Life without Nary A Nudge.

utenzi said...

I'm with you, Diane. I certainly like the idea of karma and enjoy the TV show My Name is Earl but there's just too many examples of people that have gotten ahead by means most foul for me to believe in karma.

egan said...

You know typically I think "what comes around goes around", but you're right though Diane. That's unfortunately not always the case. Some of the nicest people have lots of bad things happen to them or really bad people get away with lots of bad shit.