For those of you who are illiterate, didn't have a complete childhood (Muppet's Christmas Carol), or are just plain stupid, Ebenezer Scrooge was visited by three ghosts: past, present, and future. As my memory serves me, the Ghost of Christmas Past showed him times he had been hurt and when he started turning into the selfish prick he then became, which the Ghost of Christmas Present illuminated. But it wasn't until the Ghost of Christmas Future when Scrooge saw that he was destined for a lifetime of misery before eventual death that made him change his lifestyle and stop being so mean to poor Bob Cratchett. So this got me thinking (or rather thinking about the following made me think of Ebenezer)... don't we all live in the past, present, and future?
Ebenezer was most affected by the future, which looked the bleakest for him. I find myself straying towards the past. It's such a pointless thought, too. I mean, it's "healthy" to live in the present with a watchful eye on the future, right? The past is the past. It's finished and done with. But even when I was in second grade watching the Muppets portray Charles Dickens' novel, the Ghost of Christmas Past always affected me the most. Watching Ebenezer get his heart ripped out of his chest by some girl made me feel bad for the guy and I vaguely remember thinking his actions were justified even.
The point is, whatever tense you focus on, it's probably good to just do what we've always been taught: learn from the past, live in the present, focus on the future. The past is the past. It cannot be changed no matter what. The present is a constant that everyone needs in their life, so take a look around. Evaluate your life. What do you think? And look to the future. Ebenezer didn't like what he saw, but I like what I see in mine which gives me comfort. So whether it's the past, present, or future that haunts you, accept what can't be changed and do what you can to be happy in the future.
The future can always be changed with present changes that occurred because of the past.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Karma
I guess I have always been a follower of karma, or I'm "karmish" as my family puts it. In the last few years, I've really made a conscious decision to do good for the hell of it. Whether it's holding the elevator for someone (even if they're just going to the second floor), giving money to the homeless, or participating in Angel Tree (like I did tonight). I do believe that all of my giving comes back to me, but I can't really put my finger on a certain event that has probably existed because of karma.
But then I realized--I have everything I could ever really need. I've got great friends both at Longwood and elsewhere. I've got a family who is in excellent health as far as I know. My father is in a line of business that essentially thrives during a recession. I work for a company that will create work for me over the holidays just so I can gain more valuable experience and have spending money for Christmas presents. My grades are good, my relationship is thriving, and all I see in the future is happiness.
Maybe that's why I've suddenly become so into karma. Maybe random acts of kindness don't "magically" cause my life to get better. Maybe I'm just happy and want to share what I can with anyone who comes in contact with me, which makes me even happier. I don't actually care about the mechanics behind my happiness. All I know is that maybe everyone should take a leaf out of the karmish book.
My rotten uncle (RIP) was the most miserable person I ever met. He only cared about himself and money and certainly not charity (God forbid!). He died unhappy and with a lump of cash that he would never use. What is the point of that? Next time you find yourself in a situation where you have just a little bit of cash burning a hole in your pocket, don't spend it on a $5 cup of coffee or a manicure that will chip off in 3 days. Give it to charity. Next time you find yourself bored, donate your time to something that means something to you.
I can't wait for Christmas morning. Not because of my own gifts or even to watch my family and friends open the gifts that I gave them (which I actually do enjoy more than opening my own). I can't wait to think of the two little girls that I picked off of the angel tree. I picture the 6-year-old who wanted a nail set wearing the tiara I bought for her while painting her nails in sparkly pink. Or maybe the 7-year-old who wanted educational games, working on her colorful workbook for first graders wearing the bright dress up make up. I picture them in the sweaters I spent time picking out for them, and I hope they think of me each time they wear their respective sweaters. That is what Christmas is about to me. That's what karma is about. And maybe, if I'm lucky, they'll be able to give to someone in the future.
Now will someone please help me off of this soapbox?
But then I realized--I have everything I could ever really need. I've got great friends both at Longwood and elsewhere. I've got a family who is in excellent health as far as I know. My father is in a line of business that essentially thrives during a recession. I work for a company that will create work for me over the holidays just so I can gain more valuable experience and have spending money for Christmas presents. My grades are good, my relationship is thriving, and all I see in the future is happiness.
Maybe that's why I've suddenly become so into karma. Maybe random acts of kindness don't "magically" cause my life to get better. Maybe I'm just happy and want to share what I can with anyone who comes in contact with me, which makes me even happier. I don't actually care about the mechanics behind my happiness. All I know is that maybe everyone should take a leaf out of the karmish book.
My rotten uncle (RIP) was the most miserable person I ever met. He only cared about himself and money and certainly not charity (God forbid!). He died unhappy and with a lump of cash that he would never use. What is the point of that? Next time you find yourself in a situation where you have just a little bit of cash burning a hole in your pocket, don't spend it on a $5 cup of coffee or a manicure that will chip off in 3 days. Give it to charity. Next time you find yourself bored, donate your time to something that means something to you.
I can't wait for Christmas morning. Not because of my own gifts or even to watch my family and friends open the gifts that I gave them (which I actually do enjoy more than opening my own). I can't wait to think of the two little girls that I picked off of the angel tree. I picture the 6-year-old who wanted a nail set wearing the tiara I bought for her while painting her nails in sparkly pink. Or maybe the 7-year-old who wanted educational games, working on her colorful workbook for first graders wearing the bright dress up make up. I picture them in the sweaters I spent time picking out for them, and I hope they think of me each time they wear their respective sweaters. That is what Christmas is about to me. That's what karma is about. And maybe, if I'm lucky, they'll be able to give to someone in the future.
Now will someone please help me off of this soapbox?
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