We are all aware of the idea of karma, wether we choose to believe in it or not. Every belief system has a version of it such as “What comes around goes around”, “What you put into the world is what you get back” or “do unto others as you would have done unto you”. What changes the meaning of karma in all belief systems is our intent.
There is a world of difference between thinking, “the more good we put into the world the more good that come back to us” and “karma’s a bitch and you’ll get yours”. (That is often followed by “and I hope I’m there to see it!). For karma to be a gift it all comes down to our focus. One is about creating a better world for ourselves and others. The other is desiring and waiting to see something bad happen to someone else. The first thought is from the soul, the second from the ego.
I am finding that, with some thought, I can be compassionate instead of disgruntled when viewing someone’s negative behavior, wether it impacts me or not. I see, and sometimes feel, the negative and hurtful things that they are doing and I choose to feel concerned and sad for them. This comes from knowing that what they are doing is going to come back on them. You know, karma. What comes back on them from these events will be the opposite of what they consciously want for themselves.
When I take the time to think, the idea of karma cautions me to not think negative thoughts about others’ behaviors. Just the act of desiring something bad happening to someone else affects our karma as it creates negativity that plays out in our own lives. So, instead, I choose to think thoughts such as hoping that person learns something from an event that allows them to make healthy changes which will serve them and others.
Believe me, I did not start out being so positive. It took time, attention and patience to change my behavior. Like me, you may have to start out with small steps beginning with if: you cannot think of something good for that person, it is better to think nothing at all. That will at least leave your karma unaffected if not moving it in the positive direction.
The gift of Karma is found when we learn to take a moment before acting. Taking that beat or breath to wonder how our behaviors or thoughts will work out in the long run may change what we are going to do or say. When we stop to think about those things it can temper our reactions into heartfelt and compassionate responses. Those changes affect our stress levels as our anger and hurt dissipate allowing us to return to a calm place. Living in a more calm state allows us to think clearly and act with intention rather than emotionally reacting in the moment.
Though we are unable to time travel back to change things that are affecting our karmic payday in the here and now, the beauty of karma is that we can rather quickly change our future instead. The process requires a little bit of patience up front as it takes some time for us to see the payoff. However, the sooner we begin, the sooner we feel the effects of creating “good” karma in our lives.
There is no time like the present to get started. What you do, say and think right now immediately start turning the tide of your life. It begins as just a little ripple on the water, barely discernible unless you are looking for it. As it goes along though, it picks up speed and volume as each karmic redirection builds on all the ones before it. Soon you will have a tidal wave of good karma washing over everything in your life. What a gift that will be!
We all deserve good in our lives. It is up to us to create a life into which those good things can, not only come, but be noticed and appreciated. Use the gift of karma to measure your words and actions so that your world quickly fills with all the good things that you are looking for.
I would love to hear about your good karmic events. Share a good karma story in the comments and lets get the ball, or karma, rolling in the right direction!
Happily Healthful 