Manners, Karma, random acts of Feeny

By Chelseas Craddock
CAMPUS TALK EDITOR

A wise Mr. Feeny once said, “Do good.” When asked if he meant “Do well,” he simply replied, “No.”

It’s important to make sure we are looking out for our metaphorical brothers and sisters, especially lately, since the world is turning to crap faster than usual. With all this war, corruption and recession stuff going on, we’re not living anywhere near the space-craft-utilizing utopian society “The Jetsons” made us think we’d be living in by 2008.

There is an old Buddhist philosophy I live by day-to-day called “Karma.” Karma — which is also found in Hindu teachings — more or less means if you do good, good things will happen to you. If you do bad, well, then you’re pretty much out of luck. I am a firm believer in this and try to make sure there’s a good amount of positive energy coming my way.

Every day, I attempt to act hospitable and nice to the people I see because, if I don’t, I know a house will fall on me or something. Every time I’m going to a store and there are old people behind me, I hold the door for them, with a smile. As much as I like helping people, it’s always nice to get a smile, nod or a “thank you” in return.

I don’t expect everyone to believe in Karma, but whether or not you think something bad will happen if you don’t hold a door open, there is such a thing as manners. I think Mr. Feeny would agree with me that doing something good and manners should go hand-in-hand.

When I’m walking behind you and it’s obvious that I’m carrying enough stuff to prevent me from swiping my card to get into my building, don’t be a jackass. Don’t just keep walking, because the door will close, causing me to drop everything I’m carrying — and therefore ticking me off. You’re not in that much of a hurry, please hold the door.

Most likely, if you shut a door on me, the next time I see you, I won’t hold the door open for you, either. See? Karma.

Karma isn’t just about holding doors, though. Doing random things to help a stranger out is just a nice thing to do. Everyone involved will feel good.

Have you ever thought of volunteering somewhere? Sign up with Big Brothers Big Sisters or Food Not Bombs. Helping out and doing some volunteer work will definately rack up some Karma points for you — not to mention what you’ll get, knowing you made a difference in someone’s life.

You know those people who seem to have consistently bad luck? Nothing good ever happens to them, whether they run out of gas on the way to work, or get to class only to realize they brought the wrong folder. Poor little souls. What did you do to deserve such bad Karma?

I’m not saying that just because you have bad luck, it’s because you did something awful to someone else — please, don’t e-mail me taking this the wrong way. I’m just saying, maybe if you did something good for your fellow man, a “pay it forward” if you will, you might not have such bad luck. Give a homeles guy a hot meal, you might just find a $50 bill on the street ot get a 4.0 this semester.

I’ll leave you with the wise words of Mr. Justin Timberlake, “What goes around/comes around/goes around/comes all the way back around.” Think about it.

Editorial: Student housing is now online

Luettger: Guitar Hero — a way of life

Seef: Fire safety hits close to home

Craddock: Manners, karma and random acts of Feeny

Jennings: Campaign takes focus off important issues

Letters to the Editor