One thing Covid has done is that it has made everyone a philosopher. Don't agree? Ok.
Let's say it's made people think about themselves and their lives more deeply. No?
Here's why I say this.
I was surprised when this friend of mine asked me "Tell me, if everything is already written then what's the need to do anything?"
And further added, "I mean it's meant to happen as they say then why even bother about anything?"
I was both elated and sad at the same time.
Elated about the next 30 minutes of so to engage in this interesting question and sad that I might not have the exact answer.
Ok, I was also shocked to hear this question come from a friend who usually thought mostly about what to watch on Netflix or what to have for dinner or where to partayyyyy over the weekend.
I took a deep breath, to articulate my thoughts and then said "Karma".
Karma for folks who don't know is not equivalent to Garba (what goes around, comes around).
Karma means an action, or a deed. I strongly feel that we are what we think, what we think we do, what we do we become.
Interestingly, I came across the below from the Upanishads a few days later which I believe alludes to the same point.
"You are what your deep, driving desire is.
As your desire is, so is your will.
As your will is, so is your deed.
As your deed is, so is your destiny."
What's written, in my humble opinion based on very little experience of life, is the outcome. And I say that because it is not in our control. The rest, which is mainly, the action or the deed is completely in our control.
If we focused just on what we could do and not bother about what we might get then this question wouldn't arise. This question arises because we associate our karma with an expectation.
Now, I know it's not easy to not expect. Have written about it earlier as well. But if we could take one small step to do one selfless act (watch the F.R.I.E.N.D.S episode where Phoebe tries so hard) with no expectations of getting anything in return, then it's a huge win.
I guess that would mean a shift in the mindset of getting satisfaction and/or happiness by doing our Karma and not the outcome. Being happy with the process, not letting the output decide it. Being happy with the journey rather than running behind the destination.
Too deep? I told you Covid has made everyone a philosopher.
But, to answer the question in short, I'll quote a great man.
"I have noticed even people who claim everything is predestined, and that we can do nothing to change it, look before they cross the road."
- Stephen Hawking
Remember, #Karma is a bitch. But good news, it's a bitch only when you're one. ;)
PS: Like, comment, share and subscribe and earn some good Karma points.