Karma

Update as of 10-15-2018 -- The case has been dismissed by both parties.  As we have agreed to move forward, the dismissed case will remain confidential.

kar·ma [kahr-muh] 

1. Hinduism & Buddhism - The total effect of a person's actions and conduct during the successive phases of the person's existence, regarded as determining the person's destiny.

2. Fate; destiny.

3. Informal - A distinctive aura, atmosphere, or feeling: There's bad karma around the house today.

 --- The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language

Karma, as cause and effect is something we see it in everyday life. If we take a step forward, we start to move. If we have an object in our hands and let go of it or drop it, it will eventually hit the ground. If we work out regularly, we become physically stronger.

It is like in cost accounting - a balance sheet. There are assets and liabilities. The sum of the assets will always have its equivalent in the sum of liabilities. It is easy if we picture an old-fashioned scale. A cost on one side has a valuable asset on the other side keeping the scale "even."

We could then believe that if we work hard, we reap financial rewards. If we respect, honor and help others, our positive actions will result in stronger personal and professional relationships. If we give love, we receive love in return. This would make sense, wouldn't it? It is fair and a way the "karmic" universe would be certainly balanced.

We all know that this is not how things always go. We can work hard and barely see any financial rewards. We can respect, honor and help others and find ourselves manipulated, cheated on and betrayed. Why is that? Is this fair? Why does this happen to "good" people?

So why did these things happen to me? Why did the man I loved and trusted betray me in such a way? I do not know his reasons. All I know is that I played a part and continue to play a part in this Trevino-Alfieri Story. I had the relationship I had with Alfieri because I allowed it. I am aware that I somehow "enabled" the good and the "bad" things that were happening. It takes two to tango, isn't that right?

Although at first I failed to acknowledge the "red flags" and signs that were alerting me, I finally took a firm step and decided to voice my concerns and disagreements to him. It was then that he did what he did to me - he took my money, claimed sexual harassment, sued me and slandered me in the process.

I make no claims that I am the "good" person and Victor is the "bad" guy in this story. Just as I have done what I believe to be the best for me, he probably also has done the best he can. Many would wonder why I say he did his best when he lied and betrayed me. Let's not forget that he DID finish the movie. He put more time and additional funds to complete it. I certainly give him credit for that.

Last week, I met with someone who has been part of this film project. He told me that Victor is not doing very well and that this experience has affected him tremendously. "He could simply tell the truth and apologize," I said.  The reality is that I will probably never receive an apology from him. And it really does not matter. I have forgiven him. I know he has been blinded by his own limited perception of reality and has done the best he can.

I do not regret having met him or having ventured into independent filmmaking with him. It is true that I put a lot of money into the project and there is no guarantee I will ever see a penny back.  What I can truly say is that I have gotten a lot from this experience. Karma does exist.  A good friend from my USM class once said to me, "you did this film project out of love. You put love into this relationship...  Love is what will inevitably come back to you. You will see that something good will come out of this."

Does every action have a "karmic" consequence? I personally believe so. Every person's single action, thought or emotion affects every one else's reality one way or the other. Therefore, the overall "Universe" experiences an impact. If the whole Universe is affected by these thoughts, actions and emotions, then we can assert that the person who caused them is affected as well. It is also my belief that there is a constant equilibrium in the Universe. The fact that some of us are thrown off balance at specific moments in our lives, does not mean that the total universal equilibrium has been lost. And it is the Universal Love we feel for one another that helps maintain that equilibrium.

"How people treat you is their karma; how you react is yours."    -- Wayne Dyer

Disclaimer – As of October 15, 2018, all legal issues have been resolved. This resolution was reached during arbitration. There are no pending issues related to fraud or theft. The resolution was mutually agreeable. There will be no more posts written about this story.