#105. Karma Isn’t About Fate — It’s About Practice
12 Laws of Karma for Personal Growth
Welcome to the blog post #105! Click here to read more from previous posts.
Karma Isn’t Magic. It’s Momentum.
I used to think karma was just a religious idea—something about punishment for doing bad things. But as I started reading more, I realized how narrow my view was.
Karma isn’t about superstition. It’s about cause and effect. Much like Newton’s Third Law—for every action, there’s an equal and opposite reaction—karma reminds us that everything we do creates ripple effects.
Our thoughts, words, and actions all set something in motion. And what we put out into the world returns to us—not in a magical way, but in our experiences.
We think good thoughts, and we feel inner peace.
We invest time and energy into growth, and we gain self-confidence and earn others’ trust.
Karma isn’t magic. It doesn’t mean that when we do something good, a lottery ticket will fall into our laps.
But karma is momentum. Just like when we consistently add into a savings account, each small deposit grows over time and creates the power of compound interest.
Our actions work the same way—intentions, habits, and choices quietly build momentum that shapes our lives.
That’s why understanding karma offers us a guide to personal development. Below are the 12 Laws of Karma, reframed as daily practices for growth and self-mastery.
The 12 Laws of Karma as Daily Practices
1. The Great Law (Cause and Effect)
“You reap what you sow.” – Galatians 6:7
Whatever you plant in thought, speech, and behavior—returns to you. Good input creates good output. Garbage in, garbage out.
You become what you do consistently.
Ask yourself:
“What seed do I want to plant today—in my thoughts, words, or actions?”
2. The Law of Creation
“The best way to predict the future is to create it.” – Peter Drucker
Life doesn’t just happen to us—we shape it through our choices. Circumstances may influence us, but they don’t define us.
Don’t wait for change from others. Go make it.
Ask yourself:
“Which action can I take right now to move closer to my ideal life?”
3. The Law of Humility
“Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.” – Carl Jung
Pain often comes when we resist reality. Change begins when we take ownership of where we are and what led us here.
I call this active acceptance—the choice to face the truth, not fight it.
Ask yourself:
“What truth am I resisting right now?”
4. The Law of Growth
“When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” – Viktor E. Frankl
Viktor Frankl is a Holocaust survivor who endured unthinkable suffering, where the line between life and death was razor thin. In those conditions, he discovered that while we can't always control what happens around us, we can choose how we respond within.
True growth doesn’t come from changing others or our environment—it starts from the inside out.
Ask yourself:
“What part of me needs to grow so I can reach my goal?”
5. The Law of Responsibility
“You must take personal responsibility. You cannot change the circumstances, the seasons, or the wind, but you can change yourself.” – Jim Rohn
Blame is easy. Growth is harder. But responsibility is where our power begins.
When something frustrates you, ask:
“What’s my part in this?”
6. The Law of Connection
“In nature, nothing exists alone.” – Rachel Carson
Everything is connected. Just like every creature plays a role in maintaining balance in nature, every thought, word, or action creates a ripple. You’re part of a bigger picture—even when it doesn’t feel that way.
Before acting, ask yourself:
“How will this choice affect others in my work, relationships, or community?”
7. The Law of Focus
“Where your attention goes, energy flows.” – Tony Robbins
You can’t go far if you’re constantly distracted. Focus brings power. Multitasking dilutes it.
Ask yourself:
“What is my top priority today—and how can I give it my full focus?”
8. The Law of Giving and Hospitality
“It’s not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, that is the true measure of our thanksgiving.” – W.T. Purkiser
Our values are revealed not by what we say, but by what we do. If we believe in kindness, generosity, or growth—our actions must reflect that.
Ask yourself:
“What value do I hold—and how can I live it out today?”
9. The Law of Here and Now
“Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That’s why it’s called the present.” – Master Oogway (Kungfu Panda movie)
We can't build the future while clinging to the past. Presence is power. It’s where peace and clarity live.
Ask yourself:
“What regret or worry is pulling me away from today—and how can I return to the present moment?”
10. The Law of Change
“If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got.” – Henry Ford
Patterns repeat until we choose to break them. Insight is the bridge. Courage is the step.
Ask yourself:
“What lesson can I take from the past—and how can I act differently today?”
11. The Law of Patience and Reward
“Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant.” – Robert Louis Stevenson
The best things grow slowly. Just like compounding interest, the magic isn’t in intensity—it’s in consistency over time.
Ask yourself:
“What small step can I take today that my future self will thank me for?”
12. The Law of Significance and Inspiration
“Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.” – William James
Each of us is here for a reason. When we believe our life has purpose, we live with intention. That belief gives us direction—and often, we discover our mission along the way.
I’ve been sharing my learning through this newsletter for over two years. It may only reach a few people. But if even one person finds value—then it’s already worth it.
Every action we take shapes more than just our own lives—it has the power to inspire others too.
End the day by asking:
“What did I do today that created a positive ripple in someone else’s life?”
Karma is Our Personal Momentum
I no longer see karma as mystical. I see it as momentum—the quiet compounding of our daily intentions and actions. Every moment is a chance to plant a seed. Every small effort adds up.
And over time, that momentum builds. It shapes our growth. It shapes how we impact others. And ultimately, it shapes the life we live.
Let karma be your compass—not for fear of consequence, but for love of growth.
Till next time!
Cheers,
Do Thi Dieu Thuong