Karma often strikes with immediate consequences. Here are five stories showcasing instant karma in action.

1. Sister’s Birthday Party Backfires
My younger sister Ariel planned our grandpa’s 90th birthday at a sushi restaurant, knowing he disliked sushi. She invited her loud university friends instead of family. At the party, she handed Grandpa the bill, laughingly expecting him to pay. I snatched it from her. “Gramps shouldn’t pay for his own birthday!” I insisted. After some back and forth, I played audio messages of Ariel complaining about her friends. Her friends left, and Grandpa told her to take responsibility for her actions. Ariel apologized, realizing her mistake.

2. Entitled Man in Walmart
While in my wheelchair at Walmart, a man demanded I give up my chair for his tired wife. I explained I couldn’t walk, but he insisted I was faking it. As a Walmart employee intervened, the man stumbled back and crashed into a display, slipping on cans and falling. I couldn’t help but laugh as he ranted about suing the store, now embarrassed.

A man smiling | Source: Shutterstock

3. Ex-Husband’s Petty Revenge
After my husband Brendan and I split, I returned home to find my furniture outside with a “Free Stuff!” sign. Furious, I called him, and he claimed it was to make me feel how it was to lose my belongings. Later, I remembered his father’s prized watch was in my bedside table. I told Brendan I’d lost the watch to the neighbors, and he offered $500 to buy it back. I gladly took the money, enjoying his defeated expression.

4. College Fund Betrayal
After my grandfather passed, he left me a college fund, but my parents drained it for my brother’s debts and lavish expenses. Heartbroken, I cut contact with them. Years later, I learned my parents’ investment had collapsed, and they were in debt. My brother asked for help, and despite my feelings of betrayal, I visited them. They broke down in tears, and I forgave them, realizing everyone makes mistakes.

5. Husband’s Affair Backfires

I caught my husband Brody cheating with his secretary at work. He flaunted the affair, and when I confronted him, he filed for divorce. A few days later, a new boss discovered Brody had been skimming money from the company, resulting in his firing. Brody later showed up at my door, claiming to miss me and wanting to reconcile. I stood firm, closing the door on him and feeling stronger than ever.