Someone told me I’m too kind. It’s a nice compliment. But how can you be too kind?

A few weeks ago The Strokes played at Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa. They put on an amazing show lasting a good hour and a half or so and played all but two songs from the new album. It was an awesome performance and I could write an entire column on that but

instead, I’ll focus on something that

happened during the show.

Hundreds of fans all gathered around the front of the stage under the bright concert lighting and smoke-filled air. Most

people were watching the band in awe. Like many concerts, people were singing along, dancing, drinking and just having a good time. The floor was covered in spilled beer, trash, cigarette butts and all kinds of other unknown substances.

During the show, this girl pointed out a five-dollar bill on the floor beneath my feet; it wasn’t mine so I just gave it to her. I’m sure it didn’t belong to her, but I figured she spotted it first so I handed it over, not really thinking too much about it. She was a nice looking girl and the bill was all wet and nasty anyway.

Later after the show, I was sitting on the curb outside getting a breath of fresh air and wishing I had enough money to buy a drink, when suddenly, I spotted twenty dollars on the street.

“How’s that for Karma!” I said to my friend. To make it better, this was a clean and crisp bill.

I’m always intrigued with the idea of karma. So far in this life I’ve had pretty good karma. I’m not rich yet, but I’m not starving either. Things always seem to have a way of balancing out.

Driving home from Tulsa, I though about karma. Did someone deserve to lose twenty dollars in order for me to gain it? Probably not.

Karma does not mean that people always get what they deserve; it simply means that one is responsible for one’s own actions and these actions affect everyone.

Of course, there are not always immediate twenty-dollar rewards, but in the grand scheme of things, it’s better for everyone.

I always thought this was common sense.

Since I’ve had the chance to travel through countries such as Japan, I’ve realized through comparison that Americans tend to have less respect for their neighbors and society in general. The United States is a country of individuals. We celebrate independent thinking and the notion that it’s every man for himself.

We believe that any individual can achieve “the American Dream.” This freedom is of course a good thing and I’m very lucky to live in this country, but somewhere along the way, our society has began to disintegrate. Our society is full of greed and materialism.

Some people say “nice guys finish last,” and sometimes it appears as if they often do. I guess it just depends on one’s perspective. The nice guy doesn’t always get the most money or the beautiful girl but instead, peace of mind. It may sound selfish, but it’s not only in one’s own best interest but good for society as well.

True, in this world, it’s difficult for people who are too nice to make very much money. There’s always someone out there trying to take advantage of others.

One of the most valuable lessons I learned in high school was from a baseball coach who taught an oral communication class (Ironically, I never played baseball and I dislike public speaking). The most memorable lesson was when he taught the importance of showing kindness to others. Imagine if everyone did as much giving as they do taking.

It’s nice to imagine, then again, I’ve always been a dreamer.