Recently, I became hooked on the TV comedy series “My Name is Earl.” I realized Earl was working on steps 8 and 9 by the third episode. If you have already seen the series, bear with me. The story is about Earl, a petty crook whose life is a mess. He learns that good things will happen to him if he does good things for others. He creates a list of everyone he has wronged since childhood. As he attempts to do right with each person on the list, things don’t turn out according to his plan. He finds himself in one mess after another, but by the end of each episode, things work out right, and he crosses that person off the list. As he continues to do good, good things happen to him.

In the past few years, I’ve found the teachings of Buddha more and more in line with the way God wants me to act. The Buddhists call it Karma, while in Christian teachings, it’s written: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” If I’m not mistaken, they both say the same thing.

I created my list and completed the amends with those I had hurt long ago. The result was a huge burden lifted off my soul. Since then, I have been trying my best to treat others fairly, hold my hand out to anyone in need, and, equally important, practice Karma on myself. I’m very gentle when criticizing myself, after all, I’m the one I should love the most.

I live in the now, and the result is that I am happy, joyous, and, above all, free.