The Third Law of Karma
If you light a lamp for someone else it will also brighten your path.
The idea that what you do to others will come back to you is similar to Newton’s Third Law: for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. The same amount of force you apply to an object is applied back to you in the opposite direction. If you push against a wall while wearing rollerblades, for example, you will not move the wall; instead, you will feel yourself moving backward. The wall applies the same force to you, causing you to move in the opposite direction. This concept can be used in many situations and has been applied to solve various problems.
Before Newton’s law was formally defined, people had already understood this concept and gave it a name: karma. The idea behind karma is that if you act badly and do harm to others, you should expect terrible things to happen to you in return. Many people view karma as a magical force that exists in the world and applies to everyone who does wrong. They see it as something beyond human control, as if nature or the universe enforces it. In reality, it is not magic but simply human psychology.
There have been studies showing that when you do good things for others, they feel a sense of obligation to return the favor. If someone is in an awkward situation and you help them—such as giving them money for transport or food without expecting repayment—they will often feel indebted to you. You can even hear this in their words when they thank you, as they may say they owe you and encourage you to ask for help in the future if needed. This is not just something people say, it is real human behavior. When the time comes and you ask that person for a favor, they are highly likely to help you, regardless of whether your request is bigger or smaller than what you originally did for them.
This concept is also widely used in marketing. When companies offer free samples, the idea is to create a sense of obligation. If someone gives you a product to try at home for a week and then returns to collect it, you are more likely to buy it because you feel a subtle obligation to the company. This is the same principle at workpeople tend to reciprocate generosity.
Similarly, when people do terrible things, we often say it will come back to them. What this really means is that when someone behaves in a negative, aggressive, or selfish way, others remember it. When that person later finds themselves in a vulnerable situation, people are more likely to treat them in the same negative way they once treated others. We call this karma, but in reality, it is just human behavior. When you show people gratitude and appreciation, they tend to respond in kind, and when you act selfishly, others are less inclined to support you when you need them.
This principle is evident in many aspects of life, including sports. A recent example in the NBA is the Los Angeles Lakers, particularly in how they have treated their star players over the years. Many people believe the Lakers have a unique ability to land on their feet no matter what challenges they face. Whenever they lose a generational superstar, they seem to find another one.
When Magic Johnson had to leave the NBA due to his HIV diagnosis, the Lakers struggled for a few years but managed to rebuild by acquiring Shaquille O’Neal and trading for Kobe Bryant on draft night. Later, when Shaq left, the Lakers supported Kobe by bringing in Pau Gasol, which helped them win championships.
One of the most controversial decisions the Lakers made was giving Kobe Bryant a massive contract extension near the end of his career, despite his declining performance and a serious Achilles injury. Many people criticized the Lakers, saying they were sacrificing their future by committing so much money to an aging star. They argued that this decision would prevent them from improving the team because all their financial resources were tied up in Kobe.
What happened next was exactly what critics predicted—the Lakers were terrible. Kobe was no longer the same player, and the team had one of the worst records in the NBA. However, because they performed so poorly, they ended up with high draft picks. With the seventh pick, they selected Julius Randle, hoping to build a young core.
Despite their struggles, the Lakers continued to show loyalty to their players. Kobe remained on the team, and they brought in a coach to support him in his later years. However, the team continued to underperform, leading to another high draft pick. This time, they selected D’Angelo Russell with the second overall pick, believing he could help lead the team into the future.
The struggles continued, and in Kobe’s final season, the Lakers remained one of the worst teams in the league. But this inferior performance led to yet another high draft pick, which they used to select Brandon Ingram, a player many compared to Kevin Durant. At this point, Kobe retired, leaving the Lakers with a roster full of young talent.
To develop these young players, the Lakers hired Luke Walton as head coach. However, the team still was not successful, leading to another high draft pick. This time, they selected Lonzo Ball, a player Magic Johnson—who was now the Lakers’ general manager—believed could be the next great point guard.
Even though their young core was not producing immediate results, something significant happened: LeBron James became a free agent. Despite the Lakers’ struggles, LeBron chose to sign with them. Many believe this decision was influenced by the Lakers’ reputation for taking care of their star players. If the organization had a history of treating its legends poorly, LeBron might have chosen another team.
After one season playing alongside the Lakers’ young players, LeBron suffered an injury, and the team missed the playoffs. However, rumors started circulating that Anthony Davis wanted to join the Lakers. Eventually, the team traded their young core to acquire Davis, and the move paid off at once. In 2020, LeBron and Davis led the Lakers to an NBA championship.
This success reinforced the idea that treating people well leads to good outcomes. The Lakers’ commitment to their stars helped them maintain a formidable reputation, which attracted top talent like LeBron and Davis.
Now, in 2025, the Lakers have once again shocked the basketball world by getting Luka Dončić in a blockbuster trade. This move seemed impossible at first, but it happened, reinforcing the idea that the Lakers always find a way to land on their feet. Some believe this is just luck, but others see it as a result of the organization’s long-standing philosophy of loyalty and player appreciation.
This entire story reflects a larger truth: when you treat people well, even when it is not immediately beneficial, it can lead to long-term rewards. Whether in personal relationships, business, or sports, the principle remains the same. Karma is not some mystical force—it is just human nature at work.