What I see in karma.

[Lewcifer]

I believe that Karma does not take the literal form that it is often expressed as, but is an outlook; a state of mind. A few years ago I tried to clean up my act with regards to my behaviour towards others. Avoiding unnecessary conflict, avoiding causing unnecessary pain to others et cetera. For no other reason than I once took the time to reflect on my own personality, and did not like the person I saw. The person I saw was not someone I would want to call a friend, and certainly not someone I would enjoy spending time with. Some of the bad things that happened to me (particularly those involving people and friends) I could see were a direct result of actions I had taken. This got me interested in the idea of Karma.

The literal interpretation of Karma is “do good things, and good things will happen to you.” This infers that there is some external force controlling every single event in your life, and depending on your own actions will change events accordingly. I don’t believe this is true; but that it is meant to be taken more metaphorically. Do positive things; change your outlook on life to be more positive. All you have to do is look for the positive in people and situations and you will see it. The harder you have to search to find it, the more focused on it you will be when you finally discover it. I find that having a positive outlook, and being able to see past temporary hardships makes life easier, and in your own mind “makes good things happen to you.” A positive mindset is an incredibly pacifying yet powerful tool in today’s world, after all your mind is the one place where none of the “bad” things can reach you if you choose not to let them in.

People will often defend their own aggressive tendencies with a phrase along the lines of “It’s just who I am. I can’t change who I am.” I was completely guilty of this. But this line is merely defensive nonsense. You change your underwear everyday but this does not change who you are. You have your hair cut every few months, shedding a part of your physical body, but this does not change who you are. An aggressive tendency and the tendency to cause others grief is a tiny part of a personality, and losing it does not change who you are anymore than a haircut does. A personality is not a stagnant thing; it is ever changing and responding to the stimuli that everyday occurrences throw at it. You are the only person in complete control of your life; no magic force will make life easier or make good things happen.

This is what I see as "karma," please share your view.