Birds, Humor, Life, Soul Homework, Universe

instant karma

Kari

in february, i mentioned a book i was reading called instant karma. it was filled with lovely little pieces of wisdom—some i already knew and others i needed to learn. i borrowed it from the library but soon realized i needed to buy it because to fully absorb its wisdom, it would take me months to finish.

every morning, as part of my daily soul homework practice, i would read a page or two from the book. by the end of june, i finally finished the book, which offered 8,879 ways to be a good person in the world.

last week, my entire household, including myself, got covid (me for the first time). it was like an unplanned family staycation, except with tissues, vicks vaporub, and cough drops.

with nowhere to go—not even the library—i had plenty of time to rest and recover. don’t get me wrong, i enjoyed the free time. but after tiktoking, reading, sleeping, and eating, i started to get bored.

so, i decided to give myself a little project. during my recovery, i focused on identifying my top 100 ways to be a good person from the 8,879 suggestions in the book instant karma. clearly, i need all the help i can get.

(just kidding! love you, universe! you’re the best!)

to be clear, these 100 ideas are from the book; i didn’t come up with them myself. however, i wholeheartedly recommend reading instant karma. we all could use tips on how to put more good into the world, now more than ever.

my 100 favorite ways to give myself and others good fortune right now

1- keep the child within you alive

2- grow sunflowers

3- do not respond to those who contradict you

4- pray by breathing

5- help a person die well

6- trust your subconscious to nudge you when you should wake from a nap

7- when someone asks you what you want, tell them

8- make time for things that are important to you

9- never cheat

10- pass up the next chance to criticize

11- be grateful for all you have, even if it’s not enough

12- when friend’s offer to help, let them

13- slip a quarter in every jukebox you pass

14- lie in a hammock and look at the treetops

15- buy less

16- eliminate must, ought, and should from your vocabulary

17- take time to watch the sunset or sunrise

18- say hello to animals

19- see to it that your home is a safe haven

20- let your children know that no matter what happens, you will always be there for them

21- notice things

22- allow music to transport you

23- hold doors for others

24- doodle

25- the only thing you take with you is your karmic bank account

26- once you lose your fear of dying, you truly begin to live

27- if you think you owe and apology, an explanation, or money, you probably do

28- try to be amused by things that you once took seriously- someone cutting in front of you, for example

29- share

30- to see others joy as your own, learn the way of nonattachment

31- resist the temptation to brag

32- live as if you are on vacation – savoring every minute and collecting memories like snapshots

33- find the courage to change your beliefs

34- write a list of all the good things that have happened in your life

35- stop searching for happiness in someone else

36- do your karmic homework

37- there is peace in being nobody and having nothing

38- refuse to agonize over what you can do nothing about

39- frame a child’s painting

40- hang wind chimes where you can hear them

41- take good care of the ones you love

42- find a doctor who is a good listener

43- redefine wealth to “having enough”

44- keep your car for as long as you can

45- remember that religion is personal

46- give others ample opportunity to speak

47- compliment your server

48- bring fresh air into the house whenever you can

49- see yourself as a work in progress

50- ignore media messages

51- work for peace in every possible way

52- leave a note of appreciation for someone who has a beautiful garden

53- be humble

54- take a vacation in your own backyard

55- learn the trade, not the “tricks” of the trade

56- be less bothered by the actions of others

57- appreciate the contagious energy and excitement of children

58- find the good in everyone

59- name your house (we’re still working on this one)

60- “today isn’t any other day, you know” (lewis carroll)

61- do something for someone without letting them know you did it

62- think about whether you gossip to avoid real intimacy

63- love the most difficult part of yourself

64- overtip

65- do not follow the crowd, but don’t complain about those who do

66- remember that your life matters more than your size

67- applaud loudly

68- live right instead of proving you’re right

69- plant tulips at thanksgiving

70- feed birds in the winter

71- give great hugs

72- don’t watch the news before bedtime

73- find the time

74- find yourself in someone else

75- allow your flower garden to be picked

76- anonymously mail money to someone who needs it

77- believe a person first and a rumor last

78- avoid bandwagons

79- build white space on your calendar

80- respect homemakers

81- do not apologize for what you like to do

82- choose not to drink alcohol

83- apologize to your child when you’re at fault

84- don’t worry about who gets the credit

85- patronize the local hardware store

86- forget the joneses

87- let another driver merge into your lane

88- read the best books first

89- the more you give, the wealthier you become

90- campaign for universal healthcare

91- expect to hear good news every day

92- praise other people’s children

93- let people enjoy life in their own ways

94- start a gratitude list

95- “he who knows he has enough is rich” (lao-tzu)

96- buy used books whenever possible

97- get to know your kids

98- even if you can’t sleep- rest

99- make your home a sanctuary

100- the foods that are healthiest for the human body are also healthiest for our environment and create the least suffering for other creatures.*

*see, that makes perfect sense, but i really love cheeseburgers. i’ll start eating fewer foods with faces from now on.

*i hope this message comes across in the spirit of care and support, not as self-righteous or judgmental. my intention is genuinely positive, and i want nothing but the best for all of us. 🖤😘


how is everyone doing? i feel so disconnected after being away from people for a week. i also can’t taste or smell anything right now. i hope that comes back soon.

also, i linked the book to better world books, an online used bookstore. i have no affiliation with them. but, i would love some recommendations for other online used bookstores (besides abebooks, as i’m already familiar with them) that you’ve had good experiences with.

Discover more from A Grace Full Life

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

70 thoughts on “instant karma”

  1. I’m so sorry to hear you got Covid! Sounds like you’re on the mend.
    (I’m actually wondering if that’s what I picked up in Europe. I’m still not feeling back to normal but I never tested.)
    Anyway, I’m so glad you brought up the Karma book again. I actually ordered it from the library after your February post but was given the wrong one. Maybe I didn’t have the author’s name? Not sure but tomorrow I will go back and try again. Thank you for listing as many things as you did. Wonderful. Keep healing!❣️

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you: I’m feeling much better. I hope you are feeling better as well!

      I’m so glad I shared it again! It has been a very healing book for me in the last six months.

      Sending you lots of healing hugs. 😘❤️

      Liked by 1 person

  2. I am sure you know Alibris. https://www.alibris.com/ They gots the hook-up.

    Ugh … The ‘Vid! You guys certainly dodged it a long time. I had it two years ago, briefly. It made me feel like crap for about two days and then I was over it. I’m vaxxed (if that even does any good).

    One of my 100 favorite ways to give myself and others good fortune right now is to

    • not predicate my friendships on political lean. We all have our beliefs, and one is no more correct than the other. This also includes basing what entertainment I take in on what the entertainers’ views are. (Really, if I were an entertainer, no one would know what my beliefs are. Either way, you could turn off half your audience.) As my musical hero Dennis DeYoung (Styx) once wisely stated, “If you see an entertainer telling you what to think, turn it off.” I like that.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you for the hook up! I’ll definitely check them out.

      We’ve been vaccinated, but unfortunately there is a new strain and no booster. I’m on day six and just starting to feel better.

      ❤️

      Like

  3. Wow on dodging Covid for so long! I’m sorry you were sick for the week and that you lost sense of taste/smell. That happened to me and I think it took about a month to come back, so don’t worry if it seems like it’s taking a while.

    I really enjoyed your list and want to talk about the ones that stood out to me:

    3. Do not respond to those who contradict you. GREAT ADVICE! I think acting as though you didn’t hear it is the best way to shut that sort of thing down.

    52. Leaving an appreciation note for someone’s garden. Another GREAT idea! I remember years ago, a stay-at-home dad I was friends with told me that he left money/thank you card in the mailbox of a house that had a wonderful Xmas display because his kids loved it so much. That always stuck with me.

    59. Name your house. I did that when we moved in! I call it the ‘(our last name which starts with a P) Palace.’ My husband always gets a kick out of that.

    64. My husband has always overtipped and I always found that so attractive.

    88. How about we change it to only read books that bring you joy? I know some would disagree and think it challenges them to read books that teach them things, but personally, I’m done with that. The news is always so depressing, so when I read, I want to escape.

    I’m an ONLY library book girl. I don’t want to buy any more books, unless it’s children’s books for my grandkids that they can read over and over again. I don’t reread books.

    101. Let’s stop apologizing for enjoying alcohol :)

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I know. I should win an award or something. I worded it wrong in the post. Mike and Ella have had it twice, I am the only dodger. How is anyones guess. Thank you for letting me know about the taste and smell. I had my senses all week, but then they disappeared over the weekend. It made me really sad.

      Isn’t #3 good!! I might even write it down and keep it somewhere so I can see it.

      Oh, I love that about the Christmas display!! That is so incredibly wonderful! Stuff like this makes me so happy.

      I have never heard of naming a home! I love this idea!

      I love that your husband overtips. ❤️

      #88- YES. I took this to mean that I choose my favorite (“best”) books from my TBR list rather than going down the list in order. 🤣

      #101- I wish alcohol didn’t give me headaches. This is why it’s on my list. 😔

      Like

  4. I love #13, but nowadays, it’s all virtual TouchTunes jukeboxes you play by buying credits on your smartphone. Not quite the same experience (though the end result is still music…never a bad thing!).

    Welcome to the club, I guess?

    Liked by 2 people

      1. Yeah i found out i had it on my 50th…it was a very scary 2 weeks of a high temp. Thankfully I didn’t have to be hospitalized. But when you feel like you are staring death in the face and your spouse couldn’t be near you to comfort you was terrifying

        Liked by 1 person

  6. This list is spot on.

    I’m sorry that you finally succumbed to the damn virus and hope you are on the mend. From what I’m hearing this current variant is extremely contagious….so I’ve been playing it safe hoping I can continue to dodge it.

    Liked by 1 person

  7. So happy to hear that you and your household are on the COVID mend. I’m with you, I enjoy free time/alone, but then I get to a point where I need to get out and socialize with people. I’m an introvert, but I do require being around others, especially at work. I need that human connection.

    This book sounds awesome. I will look for it in Barnes & Noble.

    LOVED reading you list! #’s 1, 11, 13, 22, and 89 really rang true for me.

    Sending you and family TONS of Reiki to continue healing!

    (((((((((((( X You and your family X )))))))))))))

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I cannot express how excited I am to go to the library today. I might even talk to the librarian. 🤣

      I originally found it at a Barnes and Noble, so I know they carry it!

      I love that all of those rang true for you.

      We will take all of that healing. I’ve been falling asleep to a Reiki master on YouTube, which has been so restorative.

      Sending love right back. 😘❤️

      Like

  9. Love, love, love the list!! So many gems in there, and lots I’ll need to muse on.

    I’m so sorry you caught covid, but hopefully you’ll be feeling 100% again very soon!

    Liked by 1 person

  10. I hope you are all feeing better soon! My husband said it took time for his taste/smell to come back and someone had recommended taking magnesium and zinc supplements so he tried that and it seemed to help.

    Such a fabulous list!

    Liked by 1 person

  11. Wait, the first time you got Covid was JULY 2024. That’s incredible to me! How did you manage that??? You are a unicorn!

    I hope you’re feeling better, that is no fun. But here’s a question: ARE there still jukeboxes? I had no idea! I have sunflowers on my deck and I love them. I might need to pick up that book.

    I have bought books from Thrift Books online, but not often because it’s a US site and it irritates me to always have to pay shipping and exchange, that book for $5 becomes $25 and that is annoying. But you’re in the US so it might be perfect.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I have no idea! Both Ella and Mike had it twice before, and I lived in the same house! I am a unicorn! 🌈🤣

      I’m feeling much better. Still congested and I have no taste or smell, but I’m learning that this is normal. I just learned that there aren’t many jukeboxes left. That will send me down a rabbit hole. This book is made for you, Nicole.

      Ugh, that’s incredibly frustrating.

      Like

  12. Leave it to you, Kari, to turn a yucky bout of Covid into something beautiful and far-reaching! Love this list! And I hope you and everyone else are feeling MUCH better. Sometimes the body forces rest upon us, and you really made something positive out of that time.

    Liked by 1 person

  13. I’m sorry you got Covid, I’ve avoided it so far. I trust you’re feeling better now.

    I like the “when someone asks you what you want, tell them” advice the best. And admit we have always named our houses, long before it was the done thing. Currently living in Happy House. Maybe not the most dynamic name, but it fits this abode perfectly.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I hope you are able to continue avoiding it. Thank you, I feel much better. 😘

      I love that name! I think we talked about naming things before, when I wrote about naming cars! You also named your car, didn’t you?

      Liked by 1 person

  15. Oh, Kari–I’m so sorry you got Covid! I totally understand about the two sides of downtime. Until yesterday we’ve been kind of trapped inside by weeks of really hot weather, and I didn’t realize how much it was getting to me until it shifted yesterday and we were able to be outside in the afternoon. Suddenly I wanted to do all the things!

    There are so many things on your list that I love, and I was pleased to see how many I already do! Also appreciate the intention around used books. I don’t know good sources, though. Hope you’ll pass some on if you find them. I do try to buy most books from our local independent bookstores, though. And I go to a local hardware store as much as possible! 

    Hoping you get taste and smell back soon. They bring so much pleasure. 

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It felt very eerie, like the summer of 2020. I feel depression creeping in again. It’s a combination of grief from my dad’s death, illness, and pain. So many things.

      I’m such a sensory girl, so it’s also playing into my sadness. I have therapy tomorrow, and I’ve never been happier to talk to her. 🤣

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Yeah, I am right with you. My girl leaving (only two weeks left now), my son’s struggles and support needs, my brain injury, our freaking political situation, AND the weather. I’ll tell you what I keep telling myself:  It’s a lot, of course you aren’t feeling great AND the feelings will pass. Things always change. (But still:  I feel ya. I’m glad you’ve got therapy, too!)

        Liked by 1 person

      2. I know it sounds bad, but knowing I’m not alone in my suffering is comforting. I don’t want others to suffer, but I also feel safe in knowing that others have gone through hard times and come out on the other side.

        I am sending you so much love over the next two weeks, my friend. And as always, I am here to talk (on Instagram message).😘❤️

        Like

  16. I’ve still never had COVID (knocks on all the wood), but I’ve been spending too much time at the hospital, so I’m pretty sure that is going to change soon! LOL. I hope it doesn’t. I hope you feel better soon and get back your taste and smell!!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. We spent so much time at hospitals and doctors’ offices this winter that we were surprised none of us got covid or rsv. We are so grateful that we didn’t get it then and instead got it now. I pass the covid luck baton to you, and I wish you continued luck. 😘❤️

      Like

  17. I’m sorry that you caught Covid after all this time. It’s still a thing, isn’t it? I know a young lady who was recently hospitalized with it, which was so scary. Thankfully, she’s OK. I’m glad you were able to rest and share these wonderful Instant Karma ideas! I hope you can rest some more!

    Liked by 1 person

  18. I’m sorry you all had The Covid—-your karma paid off for quite a while as you might be the last person to get it.
    I hope you can smell and taste soon. Xo

    Liked by 1 person

  20. Ugh! Not the Covid! And your whole family too!

    That is a really bad staycation *sad face*

    I hope your smell & taste are returning. I’m sure you’ve read about the things that helped that awful side effect with that earlier variant (delta??). Have any of those things helped?

    Your list of Karma Helpers is great! I liked too many to list them all! 😊

    I am a big fan of telling people who are doing a good job that you appreciate them. Partic those in public facing jobs. This happened to me when I worked retail & it always made my day. Lately I see a lot of baby docs, nurses, phlebotomists. You can see the burn out. I figure complements & kindness are the least I can do.
    I noticed you had compliment-giving/kindness to workers in some form on your list a few times 😊 Lessons from retail, eh?

    One you taught me a while ago (and now sorta the first item on your list!) was to do whatever it was that brought you joy as a child. The adults forced you to “grow out of it”, called it “silly” but that’s all crap. Go be silly & childlike. Or as you succinctly put it: “Keep the child within your alive”.

    Feel better Kari ❤️

    Liked by 2 people

    2. The worst staycation. My mom also has it. She’s slowly getting better.

      I haven’t read anything! So now I am going to! I’d given up on Dr. Google because of my anxiety, but in times like these, I really need a community to help me feel less alone. So any tips are welcome. I MISS MY SENSE OF TASTE AND SMELL SO VERY MUCH.

      I am also a big fan of that. Lessons from retail, YES. I always tell any human who is taking care of me in any way, “I appreciate you.” You wouldn’t believe the reaction I get (a good one, a surprised one).

      I love that you learned it here! I think I learned it from Julia Cameron’s book, The Artist’s Way. Such a great way to live. Healing those inner children.

      Thank you, friend. I had a minor setback this week, but I am feeling better now. 😘❤️

      Like

      1. Aw. Your mom has it too? Extra unfair! I hope she feels better soon!

        Here’s what I know about the therapies. Sorry it is crazy long. And you’re definitely not alone ❤️

        The studies I read used anti-inflammatory supplements & sniffing essential oils/strong scents. Sniff several times a day while you remind yourself what you are smelling to retrain your sense of smell/taste.

        Sniff coffee and think coffee (remember the smell, the taste of coffee), etc

        Supplements… Peer reviewed studies support supplements for post viral syndromes (like Long Covid, ME/CFS, etc). Many of these supplements boost mitochondrial function and/or decrease inflammation.

        These could help your sense of smell/taste.

        Is it ok if I give supplement suggestions? I don’t wanna be pushy 😊

        I was never a big supplement person until I discovered they actually work lol:

        Alpha Lipoic Acid (400-600mg daily. Split up the dosage & take with food) Pair it with Biotin (to support ALA & mitochondria).

        Kaneka Ubiquinol (a bioavailable form of poorly absorbed CoQ10. Take with a meal containing fat. You can only absorb 100mg per meal. Do not take before bed! It is energizing & may keep you awake.)

        If you test low for vitamin D, take Vitamin D. Take with a meal containing fat. Pair with vitamin K to increase absorption.

        Quercitin. 250 – 500mg a day. Excellent mast cell stabilizer.

        Try to avoid taking supplements at same meal as calcium or magnesium supplements.

        There are others but adding too much can muddy things. If you can only do one, I’d do the ALA with biotin.

        I like the Now and Jarrow brands. Avoid 3rd party sellers (Amazon, etc) bc the fake quotient is high.

        It may take a few months for supplements to help depending. Or you could notice changes quickly.

        For me the test is stopping a supplement. I used to have horrible tinnitus then it “magically” subsided (so I thought). When I stopped a certain supplement combo the tinnitus amped back up – I didn’t know the things were helping the tinnitus until I stopped! I resumed and the tinnitus quieted.

        You are rested and healthy and surrounded by love. I honestly think feeling loved and happy does a ton for health. Laugh therapy should be a thing (aka watching the good seasons of Schitt’s Creek!).

        Hopefully that and a bit of coffee huffing and maybe some supplements will get you back to 100%!

        P.S.
        If you try any of these supplements- I’d love to know if they help you with brain fog. I’ve told others about these & often folks notice they can think clearly again! Kinda wild. Mitochondria do it all I guess 😊

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Unfortunately, but thankfully, she is doing much better.

        I just learned about coffee yesterday, so I will definitely try it! I am open to anything at this point. I am still congested, and it doesn’t appear to be improving. I also know that this humid, damp weather isn’t exactly helping. I hope this isn’t considered long covid, but with everything else going on, I can’t think about it for very long. One day at a time.

        LAUGH THERAPY, YES.

        So, I already take magnesium, but you’ve got me thinking about buying my supplements from Amazon. I am just wary of Amazon lately after learning about a bedbug outbreak at one of their distribution centers. I’d love to stop using them altogether.

        Thank you for all of of your suggestions. They are wonderful. I’ll keep all of this in mind as I navigate through this covid haze.

        Like

  21. Dang – sorry about covid. That’s no fun. Hope you get your taste and smell back soon.

    Be less bothered by the actions of others – Oh, yeah. This is a good one. So many great thoughts here. Love this post. I think this book would make a great gift for so many people. I also love the If you can’t sleep, rest. -I’ve just recently discovered that just laying down makes a difference.

    What a great list. Thanks so much for sharing it, and for sharing this book idea here. Much appreciated.

    Liked by 1 person

  22. I am SO sorry you and your family have been sick with Covid. Truly sucks. I hope that by now, all of you are on the mend.

    When you first mentioned the Instant Karma book in a previous post, I was intrigued and bought it used online. I haven’t even finished it. I pick it up when the mood strikes and highlight the ones that “speak to me”.

    I love the ones you chose to share with us. <3

    Liked by 1 person

  23. You might like a book that I adore… A Question A Day. It’s simple and each book has room for 5 years of answers. Not necessarily gratitude Qs but many help me focus on the good things. I’m on my 3rd book.

    Similar to #77: “Live never to be ashamed if anything you say or do is published around the world, even if what is said is not true.” – Richard Bach

    I think my house’s name defeats your book’s intention. I named it “Loser Theater”.

    Liked by 1 person

  24. #28 … being able to laugh at yourself/your own mind-set is, for me, the key to happiness!

    sorry you and your family have been ill with covid. not to scare you, but it took me almost 6 months to get my sense of taste/smell back. i think re-learning certain smells (like fresh lemon, orange, cinnamon) helped my brain sync back up with my taste buds/nose … hoping you recover quickly! <3

    Liked by 1 person

    1. My friend said it took her a year! I like how you say “relearning” smells. There are some tastes that I think I am tasting, but then I wonder if it is just my brain remembering what it tasted like. It’s actually pretty cool how the brain works. This whole experience makes me appreciate my senses even more. 😔

      Liked by 1 person

  25. Yah the Amazon fakes are also very very hard to detect. Ask me how I know! 🤪

    Oh jeez, I didn’t mean to worry you!

    Yah you don’t have long covid but localized damage. The supplements address the same root issues tho. Damage. Covid damaged your nose cells.

    Your body needs the right fuel/building blocks to clear the damage & rebuild. Cue mitochondrial support supplements (also rest, low stress, good nutrition, yada yada).

    Mitochondria support supplements like ALA, biotin, ubiquinol, vitamin D, quercitin (and many many others) are fueling your system’s ability to heal – calming things down, helping clear out the damaged cells and regrow the new.

    I vaguely remember they try supportive supplements for Covid taste loss for like half a year or more? So if you try them, be patient.

    Must be so miserable for you 😥  Taste and smell are the joys of life!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I wish you lived closer so we could get coffee.

      You didn’t worry me, I promise. And honestly, if I have long COVID, there’s nothing I can do about it at this point. I take pretty good care of myself, and I know I’ll handle whatever comes my way the best I can. It’s all good. ❤️😘🌈

      Patience is something I struggle with, but this feels like a lesson. My mom and I often talk about how grateful we are that we got this now and not while my dad was sick. We would’ve missed out on so much time with him, or this could’ve been fatal for him. We spent a lot of time in healthcare settings in the middle of winter when COVID and RSV were rampant, and none of us got sick. The universe was definitely watching over us. Now, it’s time to rest. ❤️

      It’s so hard, but I’m a fast eater, and I’m learning to eat slower to see if I can taste anything. Savoring. All life lessons…

      Like

Comments are closed.