Karmic Balance?

This doesn't have much to do with physical fitness, but with fiscal fitness and one's view of one's own fiscal fitness as it relates to the fiscal state of others.

I currently reside in an area where the vast majority of my associates are far better off financially than I am (at least on the surface, as some of them, no doubt, are living on credit and can't sleep at night for fear of the repo man coming and taking away their high-dollar cars and leased furniture and double-mortgaged McMansions). Now, I'm perfectly well off, with food in my belly, a bed in which to sleep, a car that works, a house that will eventually be paid for. But, as most of us have experienced, there is a certain comparison that goes on between friends and neighbors (whether that comparison regards the car we drive or the school our children attend), and as well-meaning as we may be, when one is holding the shorter stick most of the time, it can be a bit wearing.

First, let me say that no matter what my financial state, I know for a fact that money does not buy happiness. Some of the most miserable people I know have more money than they'll ever spend. And to clarify, I am blessed to be able to afford not only the basics, but thankfully, a few luxuries as well. My husband and I have chosen career paths that serve our souls over simply serving our bank accounts, and while we aren't rich in dollars, our hearts are full and our souls satisfied that we've made good choices. But, again, it is human nature to wonder "what if" when it comes to seeing neighbors travelling regularly to exotic locales and installing new flooring, shingles, and a garage re-do while sending their three children to private school. One wonders.

So, today I was having one of those moments, and on my way home, I stopped by the bank to make a deposit. (There's a clue for you, I was making a deposit, not a withdrawal). I pulled up the the ATM, and hanging out of the machine was the receipt from the last person to drive through. I entered my card, pin, etc, and pulled out the receipt so that mine would print. The receipt was for a withdrawal of $20 from the person's checking account. The remaining balance was $11.57. That was it. Now, maybe, as we are next door to a college town, this was a student's bank account, and Mom and Dad had a check in the mail or a money transfer in action as I sat there, but I thought, "Whoa! What if that was me? How would I feel if that was all I had left?"

When my own receipt printed, my checking balance was $11.57 plus exactly a standard sum, (no, I'm not telling what standard sum) leaving me with quite a bit more than the person whose receipt I was holding.

I believe the universe communicates with us as effectively as it can.