Living in the Western Hemisphere, the closest we usually get to Karma is the saying “what goes around comes around.” We tend to sum it up in those few words, while its origin in Eastern Asian religions has many more layers than this. Buddhism, Jainism, and Hinduism each have their different ideas about what Karma is, but it all comes down to the direct translation of the Sanskrit word: action. No matter what you believe, the lessons that come from Karma are beneficial to all. 

  Fully developed in 400 B.C., Karma has been used to promote doing good deeds. Doing good results in good things happening to you, and bad things will happen to those who do bad. However, it is not easy to find a way around it. If someone does something seemingly good for the underlying reason of greed or selfishness, they will not get good Karma. It is not about getting what you deserve; it revolves around the concept that all actions have results. Bad Karma is not a punishment or disapproval from God; it is a lesson. Gradually, someone can change this by self-growth that comes from acceptance, reflection, and a change of their actions. 

  A common misconception is when other people attempt to place bad Karma on another person. It does not work this way. It is an entirely individual process, unique and personal to everyone. No one can affect your Karma for you, and in this way, it makes people independent. The future, including future lives, according to Buddhism, will all be impacted by the decisions made in the present. This is what heightens its importance. Everything you do matters, making your life significant. Human life has a reason and people are not placed on the Earth randomly without any consequences to their actions. This discourages the tendency to lean on someone to make choices for you and supports each individual taking care of themselves and being the best version of themself they can be. 

  Karma works the same for everyone. It exists to teach, especially to carefully consider your words and actions. Even your thoughts can result in good or bad Karma. While it is only human to make mistakes, understanding and moving on from them is what will help you improve as a person. You have to truly be caring, respectful, and selfless in order to be rewarded without the reward in mind. This mentality will end up in a future that is unclouded with hardship, not out of chance but because you paved the way for yourself. Karma inspires people to want to be better and by doing so, be able to make something of themselves. Anyone in the world might find something useful in these lessons.