Expert: Justin Choo - 5/27/2009

Question
I am a mother of 2 children there father and I are divorced. Since I moved out
of state I get very little child support from there father and no insurance
coverage of my children, I am struggling with the decision to take him back
to court. My daughters teachers recently advised me that my daughter needs
private tutoring the cost of this tutoring per month is at least 400 dollars I
receive less than half of this amount for child support a month. I am torn on
the next step. I definitely believe in karma and wonder if I should just leave it
up to that.

I started practicing Buddhism about 2 years ago and try to do no harm to
others in word or deed. I worry that by taking my ex to court I will be
continuing suffering and stress but I do not feel it is "fair" the way it currently
is. Is the path of least resistance always the better way, or is it OK to fight for
what you believe is equitable?

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter.

Respectfully,
Victoria Graves  

Answer
Hi Victoria,

Kamma plays a big part in our lives, but we must not just surrender to kamma.  Right now we have a certain degree of control over our lives.  We can certainly decide what we want to do with our lives right now.

I don't know how effective it will be should you take legal actions against your ex.  If you think you can gain some financial award  from it, then you should pursue the matter.  

It's definitely OK to fight for what you believe is equitable, provided you have the energy, the finance and the resilience.

Take care.

Justin Choo