Getting Better

I once heard my teacher Dharma say that during childhood/adolescence/teenage years, we work off a lot of old karma. Those years can be full of frustration as a result of inability to express ourselves, make our own decisions, or be fully understood by those around us. This perspective gave me a newfound compassion for the young and understanding of their sometimes questionable choices. It also gave me the opportunity to look back at my own youthful transgressions with less judgement. And who knows, maybe in 15 years, I'll be looking back on my life now wondering what the heck I was thinking, but I am trying to get better. ;)

EZ 2B Anti

Every day we hear of people who are doing "good." They dedicate their lives to a passionate, bitter fight against this world's evils. This is a wonderful thing... or is it? It's truly a small issue of our own motivation that determines whether our paths as activists are sustainable.


When we direct our energy towards fighting against something, no matter how wrong we perceive it to be, we're draining ourselves. We're maintaining a negative focus. We see the world as "us vs. them", as full of evil, or as something that needs to be fixed. We risk becoming immersed in this negative worldview and our reaction against this perceived evil becomes the driving force behind our actions. We become overwhelmed by the mounting injustices that we struggle against and we burn out.


As hard as the negative and unjust can be to ignore, a shift in perspective can greatly improve our motivation to bring about change. Do things FOR others. Instead of fighting against the oppressor, be the voice of the oppressed. Share your gifts and see the changes that come about in the lives of those who are touched. We cannot help everyone in the ways we envision, but those that we do help are forever changed and that change affects us all. A shift in the global attitude starts with one individual. Perform your service for the good of all, without attachment or desire, and see how your flame burns brighter as a result.


Though it may not appear that way, everything is already perfect. The wheels of karma are spinning and things are playing themselves out exactly as they should be in order to balance out all deeds from the past. Your karma may or may not be to make great changes in the lives of others in the way you've imagined, but continue on your righteous path knowing that your thoughts, attitude, and actions influence change all around you in ways that are both subtle and monumental.


“If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito.” Dalai Lama XIV