*Dr. Rodolfo John Ortiz Teope, PhD, EdD, DM
A few days ago, while driving home, I found myself reflecting on the many faces that have crossed my life. Some were people I had the privilege of helping. Some borrowed money during difficult times. Others sought advice when their careers were falling apart. A few came to me asking for recommendations, introductions, or simply someone who would listen to them when no one else would.
I never kept a list. I never expected payment. I believed that if God had blessed me with the ability to help, then perhaps I should simply do it.
But somewhere along the road, a question quietly entered my mind.
“Is there really such a thing as good karma?”
For years, I have heard people say, “Do good, and good will come back to you.” Others call it the Law of Energy. They say that whatever positive energy you release into the universe eventually finds its way back to you.
I wish life were that simple.
Because if it were, why do we see honest public servants spending decades serving the nation without recognition, while those with questionable integrity continue climbing the ladder?
Why do some people who dedicated their lives to helping others end up forgotten when they themselves need help?
Why do those who sacrificed for their friends become strangers the moment they become the ones asking for support?
And perhaps the most painful question of all…
Why do some corrupt people seem to prosper while good people continue to struggle?
These are uncomfortable questions.
Not because they have no answers, but because the answers are far more complicated than we would like to admit.
As someone who has spent years observing government, organizations, communities, and even ordinary families, I have realized something.
Life does not always operate according to our sense of fairness.
Sometimes, the dishonest receive promotions.
Sometimes, the corrupt become influential.
Sometimes, those who manipulate others are praised more than those who quietly serve.
And sometimes, the people you helped the most become the very people who forget you first.
Masakit tanggapin, pero bahagi ito ng realidad ng buhay.
There were moments when I asked myself, “Should I stop helping people?”
Should I stop lending money?
Should I stop giving opportunities?
Should I stop opening doors for others?
Should I simply think of myself?
Because honestly, there are days when kindness feels expensive.
Napapansin mo, ikaw ang nagbibigay, pero ikaw ang nauubusan.
Ikaw ang nakikinig sa problema ng iba, pero kapag ikaw naman ang may pinagdadaanan, parang wala silang oras.
Ikaw ang unang tumatakbo kapag may nangangailangan, pero kapag ikaw ang humingi ng tulong, biglang tahimik ang mundo.
Kung minsan, mapapatanong ka talaga…
“Ganito ba talaga ang buhay?”
Then I realized something that changed my perspective.
Maybe our greatest mistake is expecting the people we helped to become the same people who will help us back.
Perhaps that was never the design of kindness.
Kindness is not a contract.
Generosity is not an investment portfolio.
Compassion is not a business transaction.
If we do good simply because we expect an equal return, disappointment becomes inevitable.
Because people are imperfect.
People forget.
People change.
People become successful and forget who stood beside them when they were still struggling.
That is human nature.
But there is another lesson I learned.
Being kind does not mean being naïve.
Helping others does not mean allowing ourselves to be abused.
Forgiveness does not require us to become doormats.
There is a huge difference between having a generous heart and having no boundaries.
We can continue helping people while also learning when to say no.
We can continue serving the public without allowing politics to destroy our peace.
We can continue believing in goodness without becoming blind to reality.
Because wisdom protects kindness.
Without wisdom, kindness becomes exploitation.
Without discernment, generosity becomes abuse.
Without boundaries, compassion becomes self-destruction.
As for karma, I honestly do not know whether the universe keeps a perfect accounting system.
I cannot prove that every good deed automatically returns as a blessing.
I cannot prove that every act of evil receives immediate punishment.
Reality simply does not support that conclusion.
What I do know is this.
Every act of kindness changes someone.
Sometimes it changes the person receiving it.
Sometimes it changes the person giving it.
And sometimes, it changes neither immediately—but it shapes the kind of society we leave behind.
I also believe that the greatest reward of integrity is not always promotion.
The greatest reward of honesty is not always wealth.
The greatest reward of public service is not always recognition.
Sometimes the reward is much quieter.
It is the ability to sleep peacefully.
It is the freedom from constantly looking over your shoulder.
It is knowing that your children will never have to defend your name because of corruption.
It is looking into the mirror every morning without shame.
That kind of peace cannot be bought.
No position can guarantee it.
No amount of stolen wealth can replace it.
So, does good karma really exist?
Maybe.
Maybe not.
But whether it exists or not should never be the reason we choose to become good people.
Because if our kindness depends on the rewards we expect, then it is no longer kindness.
It is simply another form of investment.
I have come to realize that the real question is no longer whether good karma exists.
The real question is this:
If no one thanks you… if no one remembers your sacrifice… if your kindness is never repaid… if your honesty never earns you a promotion… will you still choose to do what is right?
For me, the answer remains the same.
Yes.
Not because I am certain that karma exists.
Not because I expect blessings tomorrow.
But because I refuse to allow the selfishness of this world to redefine my character.
The world has enough people who know how to take.
May we never run out of people who still choose to give—wisely, courageously, and without losing themselves in the process.
Because in the end, our greatest legacy is not how much we accumulated.
It is how much of our humanity we managed to preserve in a world that constantly tempted us to lose it.
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Dear friends,
*About the author:
