Author: Michael Norwood

Dear Michael,

I’m not sure I believe in bad (or good) Karma, but I do think we’re given the exact experiences we need in order to learn the lessons we were put here to learn. And ultimately, to pass those lessons on to those we come in contact with during this lifetime.

Take me, for example; when I was 18 in 1991 and on top of the world, having just graduated from high school and feeling invincible as all teenagers do, my niece was diagnosed with cancer. She was 8. And she was the joy of my life! Her and I had a very special bond and the news hit me like a freight train.

Now, I know you went through a similar experience in your young life and understand the depth of what I was feeling. Boy, some days I just wanted to give in to those depressive thoughts I had. But, I knew for the sake of my niece – and my sister, who was her mother – that I had to be strong for both of them. I knew there was some reason, as all things have a reason, even if we can’t quite grasp what it is in the midst of the situation. So, I kept myself grounded.

At one point, just before the end – I had a realization and I just *knew* without a doubt that she would be gone later that day. And just hours before she passed away she came to and said to me "Annie, it’s ok. I know where we are." And I know that she did. She knew exactly where we were. She knew exactly the lesson we all needed to learn, the reason we were all experiencing this situation.

Years later, as a mother and a wife myself, I’ve finally caught on. And I know that even though the experiences we have can make or break us, if we allow them to, they will, indeed make us stronger. There is a reason. A lesson.

And that is, to share LIFE with those around us. To help eacother. To love. To laugh and to smile. We must stop and see the beauty God created all around us. For beauty is in the wind, in the trees, the mountains and valleys. It is in the rainbow, the ocean. In a kiss. A hug.

And in every dream.

Take care, Annie

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Michael Norwood:

Ah, Annie, the experience you describe is so beautiful. I like to describe what you went through as a Near-a-Death-Experience – exquisite spirituality gained from being near the side of a loved one.

There aren’t many more difficult experiences, and there aren’t many more beautiful. You’ve touched the ethers and found the gifts.

Keep sharing them.

After half a lifetime of way more than average challenges, and intensive research into philosophy and Universal Law, I’ve decided I don’t believe in bad karma, except in very specific circumstances. But in general, we get what we pay for in life. I believe that what you focus on increases, and when you focus on your fears or what can go wrong, that’s what is manifested into your experience through Universal Law. One thing I have learned is when you think about what you want, the Universe allows you to want it. If you think about what you HAVE (even if you don’t – yet), the Universe will allow you to have it. The other interesting thing I’ve just recently discovered is that Universal Law can’t hear negatives. If you focus on something NOT happening, that thing WILL happen, because the Universe doesn’t do negatives: don’t, no, none, never. There are more, but knowing about that no-negatives rule has been a biggie for me. We’ve all made a commitment to what this life would be about for us before we even entered it. We chose our parents, our body, our path in life in order to fulfill that commitment. Some of us have a very easy path, and others walk through hell every day, but we all get out of it what we’ve put into it, and we all must fulfil our commitments. I do believe we can consciously choose, at any moment, to improve the way in which we fulfill whatever we committed to learning in this life through action, thought and belief, and that we can walk a less rocky path than the one that Universal Law may have thrown us onto to start with. By working toward understanding why we’re here, we can find better and more productive roads to that fulfillment. And, by moving toward our inner direction, we can do and be more in this life than if we just wait for life to take us where it will. I think part of the key, for me at least, was releasing attachment to outcome, releasing my attachment to perfectionism – (no one can live up to that, so it’s a self-fulfilling prophecy), releasing fear and any need to control things, and just relax into the journey. My personal path now is much more peaceful and productive, and I don’t waste so much time and energy railing against my lot in life. I look at my path in life with the perspective of Aikido: I feel where the energy is taking me, merge with it in the flow, then exert the tiniest pressure at certain moments to make it flow along the path I have chosen. And now I am a happy, balanced person committed to growth instead of a victim.

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Michael Norwood:

I walk a fine line on what you’ve said, Jana. A lot of the New-Age tenets can make people feel guilty for what has befallen them. And yet, there’s tremendous depth to the idea of not focusing on the so-called "problem" (AKA "Bad Karma")

I believe Balance (Insight 5) puts it into perspective:

I believe it’s unauthentic to try not to feel emotions when we go through very difficult circumstances. I believe it’s counter-productive to feel we must stifle expressing those emotions, and, in fact, makes us a superficial and a potentially "explosive" person if we don’t share those emotions with those with whom we are closest.

And yet, I 100% agree with you that we do have to reach a time where we begin shifting our attention away from the problem, to the solution, and ultimately to the beautiful things in life.

And therein is the beauty of transformation.

When things don’t go as planned, we tend to think something bad is happening. In fact, when anything does not go as we prefer, we usually think something bad is happening. Isn’t this so? For instance, when the car breaks down, or we get laid off or fired, or someone leaves us, or we get sick, etc., etc., etc., the usual response is to feel bad because we think something bad is happening. But I (have come to) believe that everything that occurs is somehow good. I believe the Universe is ALWAYS on our side, doing everything to make our lives better. But in order for the Universe to do this most effectively, we have to be willing to ‘go along’ and the way we do this is by monitoring our feelings and whenever we feel anything less than we want, to do our best to get ourselves into some better mood. We need to understand that situations, events or conditions do not determine our emotional condition. Although we have little control of how we may initially respond to events, we can have great control over how we modify that response and get ourselves into better moods. Certainly, this is a skill, and comes better with practice, but it is available to practically anyone. Shakespeare has written, “Nothing is good or bad but that thinking makes it so.” There is a long story going around that helps illustrate this. A part of it goes: There was a man in ancient China who had a son, and the son loved horses, and so the father got his son a horse. But the son fell from the horse and the father was sad and went to a local wise men, grieving that he bought his son a horse and that caused his son to fall and break his leg, and now he felt badly about it. But the wise man simply asked, “Is it bad?” At the time there was a war going on, and men came to the village of the man and his son, but since his son had a broken leg he was not taken off to war. At this, the man went back to the wise man and said something to the effect, “You were right. My son breaking his leg was a blessing in disguise.” But at this, the wise man only said, “Oh?” You tell of so many things apparently going wrong with your computer and such, but then you say you later had the most remarkable sales. Maybe the great sales would not have happened had things simply gone as planned without a hitch. So, who’s to say what is good or bad? I have had many such kinds of strings of events, where what seemed unwanted allowed something else preferred to happen. For example, we wanted to get our son a car, but didn’t have the money. At first I felt bad about this, but then, on recalling this philosophy I decided to believe that ‘all is well’ and everything is working out. I purposely got myself back into a good mood about it (as I have been taught to do). As it happened, someone we don’t know, someone who is not related, but simply one of my son’s friend’s relatives GAVE my son a car. AND,.. before giving it to him, they paid over $500 to make repairs, so that the car was in good condition. Well, that certainly seems an easier solution to our ‘problem’, and I am fairly grateful for it. But I also understand, everything has two sides, so I tend to take even this kind of remarkable good fortune in stride. Dustin Hoffman has a story where, early in his acting career, after years of typical struggling for an actor, he landed what seemed to be a dream-come-true job, acting a lead role in a fully financed Broadway play. But two weeks into rehearsals, an accident happened on the set that injured Dustin, enough so that he had to be taken out of the play. As it turned out, the director for the movie ‘The Graduate’ had had his eye on Dustin for the part, but thought he was committed to the Broadway play. When he got wind of Dustin’s accident, he had Dustin audition for and get the lead part in this movie. And this movie was the one that launched Dustin’s successful movie career. So, who’s to say what is Bad Karma? I believe, the best approach is to assume that EVERYTHING that occurs is good somehow, and this allows it to evolve accordingly, most easily. Whereas, judging an experience or event as bad seems to create a string of occurrences that seem to verify our negative judgment. This reminds me of a saying, “Would you rather be right, or be happy?” Oprah says, "Everything happens for a reason, even if we can’t see it at the time." I’m fairly sure she means that everything happens for a good reason, and I agree with her (although they often don’t appear good at all). When we make negative judgments, we tend to get very self-righteous about them, as if we are God somehow, and know that such things are as we judge them to be. To me, this is common but arrogant. Phil

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Michael Norwood:

I love the Dustin Hoffman story, Phil, as well as the classic one from China. We just can’t know where our supposed "Bad Karma" is going to lead us.

There’s even this guy I know who went through some stuff and landed up writing this book and newsletter series about Wealthy Souls . . .

It is so good to see how others handle these situations. I have my own way of seeing the problems of life. We all are like children at Christmas. We are anxious to get to the present. Most of our presents are wrapped. We must unwrap the boxes to find out what is inside. Some times there is more than one wrapping to undo, ribbons, tape,wrapping paper, and a box. As we undo each phase of wrapping the anticipation grows. Many of the gifts or blessing from God are wrapped in problems. We are to anxious to get to the present to appreciate the fact that it is wrapped. We do not recognize the problem as wrapping on the gift. If someone gives us something and they have taken the time to wrap it, it makes it special. The more wrapping and time taken to make the presentation special the more we get excited about the gift. This is just a way of expressing our desire to make it special. The more special we make it the more it is remembered,and hopefully appreciated. I believe God does the same thing with gifts to us. Next time you get a big problem get excited and try to unwrap it with anticipation, knowing God has sent you a gift and he wants it to be special, remembered, and appreciated. When are you most excited? Seeing a tree with gifts wrapped with your name on them or seeing the tree with no gifts in sight? Do you get anxious right before your birthday, wondering who is going to remember it is Your day? So when you see gift wrapping (problems) get excited something wonderful is on it’s way. 

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Michael Norwood:

Beautiful, Birdie.  Absolutely beautiful. I will just let your exquisite words stand on their own.

Hello Michael, We spoke almost one year ago on the phone regarding your Wealthy Soul series which I purchased not only for myself but for all of my children. A wonderful investment! At the time we spoke I was bemoaning my situation. I had had a terrible fall which left me with nerve damage, torn meniscus, cronic pain and in a wheelchair at the age of 45. Bad Karma? There were times when I truley felt, as well as my husband, that we had bad karma. We are still stuggling to say the least, especially financially and at times we are very "Concerned"! This is a word I choose instead of "afraid or fearful"! I believe what you put out there comes back ten fold including but not limited to Words. This event (fall) in our lives has changed things around immensely. We have railed against the fates, tried to figure out what we have done wrong to deserve this and yes gone down the Bad Karma Road, must have been a huge debt?!?! But I have to tell you that the changes that have come about and continue to come about due to this event are amazing. There is no way we would be where we are or having the things happen that are happening if it were not for this event. I believe sometimes we think that the path we are on is the right one or we are too "concerned" about the unknown to make the necessary changes in our lives so here come events, bad karma and any other name you can think to call "it". "It" comes along and makes us change course so that we have the experiences we need to grow and change as well as the affect that it has on others around us. Wether it is loss, accidents, or mishaps they all happen for a reason, sometimes it is for us, sometimes for others and most times for both. I read a beautiful plaque the other day regarding the loss of a loved one, it stated, "The loss of a loved one means there is an Angel you Know!" Now that is turning it around!! Take off the Bad and just leave it at Karma, in the end it really is all good!! Melody

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Michael Norwood:

Thanks for the kind words about the books, Melody.

I love two things you said:

Using the word "concerned" – tremendous balance in adopting that attitude, which is not alarmist but realistic, and prepratory for action.

And your quote:

"The loss of a loved one means there is an Angel you Know!"

Exquisite!

Hi Michael
It was really touching to receive that note from you. Karma theory I was taught since childhood is as simple as you reap as you sow. But you may not know your fruits right away. Maybe you goofed with the sowing now but you’ll know the results later. What we see now could be the results from this birth or even earlier births. The time frame is what is not known to us. Yet as Lord Krishna tells us about "Karma Phala Tyaga" meaning give up or sacrifice (tyaga) the fruits (phala) of your action (karma). Let not the fruit of the action be your motivation nor the unattachment to the fruit be the cause of inaction!
And all the events in our life do have their own time cycle, don’t they? We have our people predicting cycles of stocks; cant we take stock of our own lives?
It is really quite simple….but if most of the men did realize it, we wouldn’t be having all the unpleasant actions….war, terrorist attacks…..
What you have been seeing Michael is what each one of us do see in our lives sometime or the other. Years ago, when I lost my parents one after the other, the situation was somewhat like this. My father passed away, 2 weeks later my mother (who was on a pacemaker) was hospitalized. My brother had an attack of typhoid, his wife was unwell too. My two year old daughter was unwell and was suspected of having pneumonia. I had to leave her with my husband and parents-in-law while I attended to my mother. There was one particular instant when I wanted to talk to someone; I could not reach my husband (no mobile phones then) and finally found a pathologist friend. My mother passed away later and things have taken course and I have steadied myself. But the point is, while having bouts of bad karma, somewhere you do see light…keep that flame alive.

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Michael Norwood:

Sounds like you have been through the mill lately, Radha. My hat’s off to you.

And indeed, Lord Khrishna’s words about not being attached to the fruit of action are one of my favorite in the Bhagavad Gita (and of all time). The entire meaning of those words to me speaks of Presence – being where you’re at now, doing what you have to do, and getting the most out of it all.

"Intention" is a wonderful word that puts it all into perspective for me – we indeed should have an "Intention" for the direction we want things to take, then just do what we have to do, and readjust our compasses later.

Here now, but forever Onward!

Hi Michael: As I had said previously, when bad things happen there is always a reason. The only thing is, that at the time we are going through so much pain/anxiety/frustration/anger or whatever, we can not always think positively. Later on, when things fall into place, we can see why. Had everything worked out as planned for you, you would surely have had great results, but look at what happened! Yes, it was a lot for you to go through, but WOW, what a reward – and I am sure that you have learned many lessons, are thankful for many things and have grown because of your trials. The realization of these gifts of growth and knowledge will carry you through for many years to come (I hope) until the next challenge presents itself. I know that for me, this is how it works. I must admit, though, I sometimes also ask, "Did my learning process have to be quite this challenging!!". Nothing is ever wasted if we learn from it and turn it into something good and positive. I enjoyed reading all the responses and my heart went out to many of the brave souls that wrote in. I send blessings to all of you and to you, Michael and hope that this upcoming festive season will be special for all. Love and Peace, Ilona

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Michael Norwood:

Agreed, Ilona.  If everything always went the way we’d expect, and we had all the answers, perhaps we’d find ourselves in heaven rather than on earth.

But then heaven might be pretty boring, wouldn’t it?

Bad Karma…or just part of Living?? Everyone is subject to "nasty stuff" in one form or another….I really believe as I have been learning that how we percieve it ot think about it has a great impact on how we feel about those challenges we face….I’ve had my share and somehow I still manage to put a smile on my face and believe that it won’t always be like this…I’ve had good years and bad years….I could use a break….but each of these challenges has made me a stronger person….and more compassionate which is very important in this world…now more than ever…love each day and love yourself and others, even those that you want to scream at when they rub you the wrong way…because no one is perfect and we are all trying to figure this thing out called life!

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Michael Norwood:

Indeed, Paula, we are all "trying to figure this thing out called life!" Quite a mystery, isn’t it?

One of the wisest things I ever heard said was to just learn to appreciate the questions without struggling to find all the answers.

Afterall, isn’t it the slight tension of being on the cusp of knowing . . . yet not quite knowing . . . that which makes life so exciting, mysterious and wonderful?

Bring on the mysteries!

read your newsletter and am posting rather than emailing per your request. good or bad karma? in terms of karma, you and your parents ‘owed’ a karmic debt to your sister and a similar debt was owed to your father. how you responded, from your heart, was up to you. i did read your book, so I know how you responded. you have created positive karma for yourself with your response and efforts to bring something positive to people. if life, the universe…god?…continues to give us a chance to repay a karmic debt, is it a bad thing? seems to be a matter of perspective whether something is good or bad, of course. nothing new there. many things can be explained in terms of other areas of knowledge, if done properly. for example, astrology…i’m not an astrologer by the way, universal energies can affect non-animate processes such as machines..technology..business processes in a person’s particular chart. so it’s entirely possible that your business problems and delays, things that went ‘seemingly’ wrong, were things affected by where your particular energy existed this past year. it’s nothing good or bad, but the most important thing is whether you responded in a positive or negative manner.

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MN:

Thanks for the kind and uplifting words, Ken. Indeed, I find that it’s the people who have been through a lot who have the most depth and meaning in their life. Often those who have led a relatively easy life are struggling with the question "What’s it all about?"

To discover all the Gifts and Wealth and Beauty of life by transforming our greatest challenges is the entire foundation of becoming . . . a Wealthy Soul.

Having read your interesting newsletter (and awaiting the books I

ordered), I am compelled to ask if you operate out of a big glass

cathedral like my friend in California……Proverb 17:22

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Michael Norwood:

To quote the Dalai Lama, "My religion is simple. My religion is kindness."

And I try my best to make my life my Cathedral.

God bless.