Karma Chameleon

I don't know if you know that I believe in reincarnation. I mention this not because I want to start a philosophical debate (way over my head) but to also explain why I believe in Karma. For most of you that means 'What goes around, comes around' or 'do unto others as you wish they would do unto you'. I try to live my life by this philosophy, not always sucessfully I admit, but as something that underlies my interactions with others. This is especially so when dealing with strangers in need of help. I'm not a good samaritan - often I wish I'd behaved differently after the fact but I am the one who will listen when approached on the street rather than just assume someone is going to ask for money (I learned that one the hard way when I rebuffed someone who was only asking for directions).

All of which leads me to my point - if 'what goes around, comes around' why doesn't it come around for me more often? I know that when I ask for help from my friends and family, it is forthcoming without question or reservation but when I need help from strangers... not so much. However, I have learned something really important this week. It may not come around when you want it but it will come around when you least expect it.

A case in point. When I was living in Egypt, I went to Jordan for a few days to visit Petra (must get the photos of that online somehow). While I was there I met three New Zealanders, one of whom accompanied me back to Cairo where she was catching a plane. Due to a ferry delay she missed the plane and had to wait seven days for the next one. During those seven days she stayed with me. That was five years ago. When I arrived in Australia I emailed her to see if she would like to meet up for lunch, she responded that she would love to. In fact, she's done a whole lot more. She booked us into a hotel for two nights so that we could spend time together on her days off and then, as a special thank you, she booked and has paid for me to stay in another hotel in the centre of Melbourne for two nights so that I didn't have to stay in one of the horrendous backpacker hostels which are my normal accommodation. She did this to say 'thank you' for the time she stayed with me in Cairo.

I am feeling blessed.