The word Karma in Sanskrit translates as ‘action’.  Your karma is determined by your actions and also by your reactions to stress. When thought, word and deed are virtuous, virtuous actions (karma) are returned to you. When you move in non-virtuous patterns, then the results can be less than savory.

To say that another way: when you freak out and do hurtful things, hurtful things happen. When you chill under stress and do nice things, the world is a much nicer place to live.

So now consider the tube of toothpaste:

Some of us are known to squeeze with an almost OCD precision, mindfully folding up the end with every use, efficiently making the most of every drop of pastey paste. In the end we simply press it gently against the counter for the last bit of freshness.

Some of us enjoy squishing it from the side, just grabbing it and squeezing with no regard to shape or process. In the end, we manage just fine...squeezing, squishing and smashing our way to the very last drop, hoping not to make a mess.

And sometimes you find that old and forgotten tube  - somehow pushed to the back of the drawer - and you squeeze on it to see what happens.

Isn’t life like that?
When you work your way mindfully and carefully from one end to the other, applying gentle pressure so as not to break the seams, then the result is smooth, complete and doesn’t require a lot of effort to get the most out of what you’ve been given.

Squeezing and smashing works but sometimes you over-squeeze and some paste is wasted, or lands in the sink for Mom, Roommate, Spouse or maybe even you to wash it down the sink.

And that forgotten tube – what’s that like? Dried out, almost sealed shut. You pry open the lid and if you squeeze hard enough some will break through. Be careful, if you squeeze too hard it will splatter everywhere, but if you’re lucky, a pin-hole sized playdough-like paste string will come out.

That's Karma.

Karma is a simple equation - when your thoughts, words and deeds are focused and efficient with a kind intention of not being wasteful or wanting more than you need, the resulting experience can be smooth and feel quite complete.

When we press and fold too tightly the seams will break. 

When we haphazardly squish and squeeze, we experience major inconsistencies and sometimes the people we leave in our wake are affected by our carelessness.

And most painfully, when we do not tend carefully, when we leave our minty wellbeing in the back of the drawer and forget about it, it’s much more difficult to recover and get the most of our blessings and refreshing grace.

I invite you to look at your life...and check your toothpaste drawer.

What flavor are your thoughts, words and deeds? How do you actively care for yourself and your mental wellbeing? Are you being careless with time or resources? Did you forget how amazing and luminous you are?

You are an important part of this one reality – this web of all-pervading energy that connects us and holds us together. The thoughts, words and deeds you put into action affect you as well as the entire cosmic ocean of our universe.

Take care, be mindful, be kind, be forgiving, be compassionate and most of all, Love...yourself and others. 

Love with a capital "L" - your actions are a ripple effect of Karma with a capital "K".

Just Love and see what happens.