In this case karma is the DM wishing to hurt you in some way down the line.
Madness string 3203
You lost more than just the thing itself, you lost your dreams for the future. One doesn't just dust oneself off after that sort of thing.
The only thing I really got out of OT was the best advice I ever got: put the toothpaste directly into your mouth. I apply that to my whole life now. My version of 'Keep It Simple, Stupid'.