Barbara Ann Kipfer - Instant Karma

instant karma 8,879 Ways to Give Yourself and Others Good Fortune Right Now Barbara Ann Kipfer Workman Publishing New York Contents Acknowledgments To Paul, who provides the balancing force in my life, and my two big boys, Kyle and Keir, who enliven my days. We climb mountains and reach for the stars, strengthening the love we share. Thank you for everything. Special thanks to Mary Ellen ONeill and Susan Bolotin, and to the late, great Peter Workman. This is a relationship I truly cherish. Introduction Instant Karma is a collection of thousands of ways to create good karma for yourself and others.

Karma is cause and effect. Karma is not fate. Whatever you are or are not, you earned itthe good, the bad, the irksome. The word karma has different meanings in different contexts, but in this book it is about actions and deeds that have good results now or within a short period of time. Instant Karma is full of simple suggestions to brighten your life and the lives of those around you. There are acts of kindness and generosity, suggestions for healthy activities, and wise reminders to keep your mind and heart happy.

The ideas here are not based on any religion or spiritual beliefs, but include both commonsensical and clever ways of sowing good seeds that will yield positive results. This is a great book for browsing to discover something that fits your life right now, something you can do for someone else or yourself that will be beneficial. It is hoped that you will find something new each time you open the pages. Many of the entries will speak to you today; others will ring true years from now. This treasury is meant to open hearts and rekindle spirits, celebrate the present, and help you gain mental and physical strength. wait for a door to be unlocked instead of trying to break it down test your intelligence by challenging it put a rug down for bare feet stop work at your computer and place your hands in namaste, the centered position of respect and thanks give the best information initiate a program of social reform learn from the natural, relaxed way in which young children move enjoy your eccentricities and those of other people on a gloomy day, put sunny yellow napkins on the table believe that the best is yet to be put something extra in someones piggy bank take up an expressive form of dance surrender/trust volunteer at your childs school be self-reliant learn to see desires and make choices rather than act on all of them live the examined life know the purpose for which you are reading give away a tenth of your income to charities and good causes if you wish to secure peace for yourself, start by championing it for others do not take lifes experiences too seriously make creativity a way of life trust and embrace the organic pattern of your life name a star for a friends birthday gift introduce dietary changes gradually try not to do everything at once enter a contest you may win! give the pet a sponge bath build a model car with a child approach the days tasks with reverence support your alma mater read a mammoth unabridged dictionary build a tree house for a child celebrate good food from the earth repeat the sacred words of great teachers love and let the rest go challenge yourself to make do stop holding your breath and begin breathing from your diaphragm get new underwear and socks on a regular basis balance strenuous mental activity with physical work or exercise use meetings sparingly and always stick to an agenda experience the fact that you are alive, a presence in the here and now make your kitchen the most comfortable room in the house show personal integrity dont risk what you dont want to lose call or write your cousins improvise when necessary only love dispels hate spread a little joy enjoy a wide variety of foods thank the person at theaters who tears tickets imagine living your life without being afraid to take a risk invite guests to your place of worship life is positive; only your thinking is negative Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it (Johann Wolfgang von Goethe) light a candle for someone youre concerned about take the focus off yourself make life move at a more leisurely pace put yourself in someone elses shoes go to the midnight church service on Christmas Eve make a habit of reading something inspiring and cheerful just before going to sleep the more attention you bring to eating, the more interesting it becomes give your best self to the world give someone a back rub do not expect praise or reward make two casseroles and bring one to a friend welcome immigrants who work hard eat only until you are no longer hungry work to music help someone assemble the ingredients for cooking make bird feeders to encourage avian visitors do less; be more live according to your beliefs rent a bike on your vacation send a hand-delivered telegram of love help preserve one-room schoolhouses donate your old sets of childrens books to a library a vegetarian diet is in harmony with ahimsa, or nonviolence learn to be your own counselor sometimes you have to stay in the kitchen even if you dont like the heatthink of it as a karmic test create a sense of joy everywhere you go take a baby terrarium to a shut-in have the generosity to allow others what they deserve know emergency numbers take your morning coffee break with a compassionate coworker keep your food simple create your ultimate to-do list, one that helps you chart your path listen to the whole answer clean your house with all-natural ingredients regardless of the situation, react with class tame your appetite equip a guest room with toiletries and a robe less is usually more let things unfold in their own time why judge? remember that how you say something is as important as what you say good scientists free themselves of concepts and keep their minds open to what is recognize ordinary, everyday activities as opportunities to awaken demonstrate your dedication to your partner in public improve your posture take care of your mind and body fill out the How was the service? card refuse to tell a lie, even a small one organize a group to practice sitting meditation cheer up a dreary desk with flowers luck lies all around: all you need to do is pick up the blessings on your path choose to direct the course and quality of your life take the time to help a stranger who needs directions whatever you cultivate during good times becomes your strength during bad times be comfortable with ambiguity provide a sustaining hot breakfast on a cold winter morning teach your kids to eat healthfully A crust eaten in peace is better than a banquet partaken in anxiety (Aesop) respect tradition reflect on the kindness of everyone you meet breathe deeply to calm the emotions and relax the nerves care about the happiness of others support soapbox derby racing go for a morning run with good friends be gentle and patient with an angry person make time for meditation spot for someone who is bench-pressing smile at the person in the car next to you when wishes are few, the heart is happy when you get home, kick off your shoes buy a red carnation and wear it to work chew consciously make time for yourself give as much as you have received master a skill know when to quit treat animals well donate crossword-puzzle books to hospitals make a doggie birthday cake with ground lamb and creamy oatmeal trust those on whom you depend, and care for those who depend on you offer to run an errand for your spouse learn the art of compromise explore the richness of your imperfections change your routines start your familys day by making fresh orange juice keep your dealings aboveboard keep your relationships in good shape make honesty your only policy silence is sometimes the best answer dream nice dreams make sure your words reflect your compassion nurture your kids take a garbage bag on your walk and clean up after others buy two copies of a book so you can read it with your sweetheart live your life with integrity, compassion, and a healthy sense of humor turn feelings of kindness into action keep your eyes on the goal eat your favorite comfort food for dinner begin to experience the difference between love and attachment, between loss and grief get someone a welcome-back present find your work meaningful dont worry about an unpleasant task, just do it right now shift the tone of a gripe session with jokes and humor give away knowledge to acquire knowledge no matter how much goodness you do, do more ask for help when you need it when you accept yourself just as you are, then you can change try a TV fast shop at the local health food store go slow and soft serve meals to the homeless on a holiday Zen will bring perspective to your life by illuminating your ability to pay attention to everything with equal fervor when you come to a dead end, turn up another street make things happen quietly build a house out of recycled materials look at things from someone elses perspective play relaxing music during dinner make busy-day meals pleasant share your love of books see everything in your life as a gift increase your vocabulary to strengthen your mental circuitry give your spouse all you can associate with winners learn to do things for yourself play with your kids on Saturday put your jacket around someone on a chilly evening keep a stash of toys for young visitors dont make your appearance more important than your disposition supply calculators or dictionaries to needy schoolchildren show a child how to use a fire extinguisher make sure all your friends get home safely from holiday parties make lots of good changes make kindness your true religion draw with children allow your day to unfold knowledge of your chakras will help you pinpoint the problem areas of your life and provide a basis for personal growth leave a small surprise gift in the refrigerator bring a coloring book and crayons for a young child at a restaurant pray for the welfare of a friend or family member believe inner peace is possible look forward to the prospect of learning do good write down three things that were great about today think of others teach a child to read resolve to take only what your body needs make every room of your home comfortable upon retiring, sleep as if you had entered your last sleep think multipurpose, not single-purpose bear all cheerfully begin each meal by giving thanks, even silently surprise someone with their favorite sandwich find the silver lining in the cloud pay your bills on time research your options respond to a hug make a difference use sunscreen acknowledge the reality of the times practice the letting-go mind start out someones day with a joke or funny story buy a fan a ticket to the Indianapolis 500 practice a steady obedience to what you know to be right discover your own quiet joy know that youre doing the best you can for now invite a loved one to snuggle Life does not need to be changed; only our intents and actions do (Swami Rama) Zen asks that you empty your mind buy used books whenever possible grow old gracefully remember that understanding karma is the key to understanding happiness go out on a limb to get the fruit on the tree nurture these qualities: precision, gentleness, and the ability to let go only watch television programs you are really interested in give a book that makes someone smile or laugh exude peace when those around you are anxious grow herbs in a window garden before you say something, ask yourself whether your words will build or harm the relationship? get automobile brochures for someone considering a new car purchase go to the library and become a student simplify listen to Beethovens Ninth help ban nuclear anything give someone a picnic for their airplane trip help a girl perfect her cartwheel each week, watch one fewer television show master the moment win public office and make good on your promises bring someone a bunch of violets dance in the summer rain buy coffee and breakfast for the person behind you at the coffee shop teach children by (good) example how can you quarrel knowing that life is as fleeting as a flash of lightning? deliver compassion drop a dollar where someone will find it bring plants and flowers, with their healing yang energy, into a convalescing persons bedroom buy from charity bake sales experience life and death in each moment get to know your kids complete a project set up pictures of your family in your hotel room create circumstances that make you smile finish each mouthful of food before reaching for another arise one hour earlier in the morning and practice yoga or martial arts clean the garage even if its not your chore be humble about your good fortune practice your faith value yourself laugh uproariously with children make a dedication on a local radio station to all those who smiled at strangers that day acknowledge your own positive features and qualities dig up a couch potato choose a salad over a steak see both sides plant a kiss on someones palm and roll the fingers to hold it for later use honey-coat your words offer compassion and support to a suffering friend dont try to buy happiness accept yourself as you are, body and soul pull more than your weight help someone work on a project take from your employer only what is given leave the mind in its natural undisturbed state use your yoga practice to feel your emotions on a physical level then you can move past them plant evergreens practice listening we dont learn anything new when we are speaking visit the childrens ward at a hospital forgive people their imperfections at every opportunity give your partner assurance of your commitment all your actions and comments come back to you think like a kid make everyday meals a celebration of abundance appreciate the fragrance of a summer rose, the last glow of the fireplace mutually exchange knowledge, kindness, service, celebration say no consciously just let yourself be for five minutes or as long as you can try not to take your work concerns home with you seek the essence of beauty every day use yoga to help you release your inner delight wake early to give yourself a head start on the day decorate for the holidays with items that make you smile share what you have learned retrain your mind to heighten its awareness of each of the senses listen critically and thoughtfully turn in cans and bottles for the deposit money remove a splinter for someone go apple-picking dont be immersed in the future develop extraordinary powers of observation look for possibilities, not limits become the moment and put all else out of your mind be in charge of your feelings give milestone gifts like fifty golf balls for turning fifty be a mentor to a young person who admires you eat foods that will keep you healthy provide a frog or turtle with safe crossing to the other side of the street let go of the past soften your most stubborn opinions skip one restaurant meal a week and give the money you would have spent to charity dont try to blame, reason, or argue exercise awareness over your reactions to people you have an instinctive aversion to change self-defeating behavior be a connoisseur of language bring breakfast fixings over to a friends house and cook something together be honest about your limitations help a community rebuild after a flood enhance even the most mundane aspects of life with beauty offer someone warm milk before bedtime help keep grandparents young stay aware of the fact that everything is in ceaseless change discover your work, and then give yourself to it with all your heart learn to connect with others start exercising today ask questions that others will enjoy answering learn more about deep breathing listen carefully to your customers or clients the more you do for others, the happier you will be make sure you have everything you need before you start a project direct your mind to the present moment whenever you feel sluggish bury a time capsule that will delight its discoverer put forth your best effort believe the best of everybody put things away send your mom a corsage, your dad a boutonniere take a family hike do something that will put a smile on your face decide not to worry about it hunt for new ways to see and create beauty have a friends favorite book bound in leather never deprive someone of hope sleep avidly and dream vividly ask to be removed from mailing lists indulge in joy value what you do and do what you value be modest deepen your relationship with nature and find greater contentment do what you loved to do as a child do Pilates rollups to keep your spine flexible build a comfortable cushion of savings begin each day saying, I am awake and grateful to be alive share things: toys, fun, giggles, secrets turn kids on to the sciences talk about what is bothering you instead of getting angry when others cannot read your mind rent an RV and go on a road trip Look wise, say nothing, and grunt; speech was given to conceal thought (Sir William Osler) take in a stray puppy use what you have applaud the piano player in a restaurant see with your inner eye, hear with your inner ear do