10 Ways to Improve Your Karma

By Wendy Toth

What is karma? At its most basic, it’s about being kind. In Buddhist psychology, karma is determined by our intentions. If we do something with the intent of being generous or compassionate, we’re more likely to act on similar intentions again. In essence, we’re forming our own character.

It’s a powerful concept.

Karma can also be looked at in the light of cause and effect. In Hinduism, karma means “to act,” and your actions in this life help determine your fate in the next.

We like to think of karma as paying it forward, especially since World Kindness Day is this month on November 13. One good deed begets another, and as a result things get a little better for everyone, including you!

In honor of World Kindness Day, try one of our 10 suggestions to kick start your personal karma, and bask in the good things that bounce back to you.

1. Compliment: Next time you’re in line for a latte and the woman next to you is carrying a handbag you’ve been coveting, tell her. Commit to one compliment a day.

2. Act: Got a special skill? If you’re good with animals or kids, know how to draw or have a knack with computers, there is an organization out there that needs you! Visit VolunteerMatch.org or Idealist.org. Both sites can pair you with an appropriate opportunity.

3. Listen: If a friend has a new baby, is going through a breakup or has a problem at work, listen first and don’t give advice if it’s not asked for. Sometimes your ear is all it takes to make the other person feel better.

4. Treat: You know that friend who keeps saying she’s interested in your yoga class, workout class or favorite spa, but hasn’t joined you yet? Treat her to her first session. You’re bonding with your friend and putting her on a path to wellness.

5. Catch-Up: Been putting off a catch-up call with a family member or far-flung friend? The longer you go without talking, the larger amount of time you’ll imagine needing to reconnect. Forget that. Send a quick text saying “I miss you!” or a picture message of something pretty, like flowers, the sunset or a sweet pet.

6. Move: Sign up for the next 5K charity walk you hear of, and invite one person along.

7. Nourish: Next time a birthday/shower/housewarming party comes along, skip the cupcakes and bring something that will nourish you and your friends. For starters, try the green bean and tomato salad form The Oaks at Ojai.

8. Learn: Think of one person you see each week whose name you don’t know. Maybe it’s you bank teller, barista, or the security guard at your office. No matter how long you’ve known them, learn their name this week, and tell them yours.

9. Give: With the holidays right around the corner, you’re bound to end up with a pile of gift cards; some you’ll love (like SpaFinder Wellness Gift Cards!), and others, maybe not so much. Whether it’s an Office Depot card you don’t need or if you have $2.19 left on your Target card, call your favorite charity and ask if they accept gift cards. Or, PlasticJungle.com allows you to donate gift cards of more than $25 to one of 90 charities.

10. Love: Remember that compliment you committed to? At least once a week, compliment yourself. Good karma starts with you.

You might also be interested in:

Good Karma: Corbu Spa’s Spa for Humanity
Good Karma: AYANA Resort and Spa Bali & Community Outreach
Good Karma: The Northern Michigan Spa Tour to Benefit Women’s Resource Center
Good Karma: Massage Envy & Arthritis Foundation
Pamper Yourself Pink: Spas Support Breast Cancer Awareness Month
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