The Give and Take of Life: A Story of Karma in Modern Times

An exploration into the concept of “Paying Life”, inspired by Dancing Elephant Prompt week 39 of 52

Growing up in a traditional Asian family, the principle of karma was something I was familiar with. It was a topic often discussed over tea, especially with my grandfather, with all my cousins around. But as I navigated through the colorful journey of my youth and adulthood, embracing my identity and individuality, I realized that karma was more than just a spiritual principle. It was, in essence, an understanding of life’s most fundamental rule: actions have consequences.

Life, in my opinion, operates much like a barter system. We are both the givers and receivers in this complex exchange. In a way, every action, every decision we make, is like a transaction with life. A “payment” we offer, be it good or bad.

For instance, when I came out to my family, I knew I was making a significant payment to life. It was a tough decision, one fraught with fear and uncertainty. But my payment was not in vain. Life reciprocated in ways I had never imagined. The love and acceptance I received from my family and friends were life’s way of paying me back.

But the balance is not always in our favor. During college, I had my fair share of wild parties and carefree days, often neglecting my studies. At the time, it seemed like harmless fun, but these actions, these payments to life, came with their fair share of consequences. My grades slipped, and I almost lost my scholarship. It was a wake-up call, a stark reminder of life’s balancing act.

I also remember a friend, Jason, from my youth. A bright, charming guy, Jason was the life of every party. But his constant need for attention and validation led him to make questionable decisions. He’d often spread rumors and create unnecessary drama, all for a few minutes in the spotlight. At first, it seemed like he was getting away with it, but life had other plans.

Over time, his friendships began to crumble. The trust he once had was replaced with doubt and skepticism. Jason was paying life with deceit, and life paid back in kind. His tale serves as a potent reminder that our actions, whether negative or positive, are not overlooked by life.

These personal experiences have shaped my perspective on this fundamental concept of paying for life. We are constantly in a state of exchange with life, offering our actions, and receiving life’s reactions in return. It’s like a dance, a rhythm we must learn to navigate.

Annelise’s story on her suggested prompt ‘Do You Pay Life? Or Does Life Pay You?’, truly embodies the concept of ‘paying life.’ Lacia’s journey, as presented, is both a cautionary tale and a testament to the human capacity for change. It’s a striking story that lingers, prompting us to evaluate our own life choices. This reminded me of the constant exchange I’m involved in.

My journey through life, my identity as an ethnic minority and a queer person, and my personal encounters with paying life have taught me some invaluable lessons. The most prominent of them is perhaps the realization that our actions are like seeds. We plant them through our choices and decisions, and in time, they grow into consequences — our life’s harvest.

When we plant seeds of love, acceptance, and kindness, we harvest relationships, joy, and peace. Conversely, when we plant seeds of negativity, deceit, and harm, we harvest discord, loneliness, and sorrow.

So, what does this all mean? In the grand scheme of things, life is a series of transactions. Every day, with every action, we pay for life. Sometimes we pay with good deeds, kindness, and love. Other times, we pay with mistakes, wrong decisions, and harmful acts. And just like any system, life keeps an account. It pays us back, in joy or sorrow, peace or chaos, love or loneliness.

As for me, I’ve learned to be mindful of the seeds I plant, and the payments I make to life. The ledger of life may be long, and its exchanges complex, but one thing is clear: in the end, it’s all about the balance.

And isn’t that what life’s all about? It’s not just about the payments we make, but also about the ways we are paid back. It’s a dance, a rhythm, a balancing act. So, let’s navigate it with kindness, understanding, and above all, an acknowledgment of our actions and their consequences. Because when it comes to paying for life, it’s the actions we choose that write our story.