Karma

So, as always, instead of going to sleep - I'm up writing a blog post.

For some reason, Karma's been on my mind the whole week.  As an unintended physical manifestation of my musings (thanks life!), I ended up getting hot chocolate and a muffin at Good Karma earlier in the week, and I had dinner at Karma Restaurant & Bar over the weekend.  I don't frequent either spot (not because they aren't good - they are both pretty awesome actually).

Translated, Karma means action (more aptly, "to do" if I remember Sanskrit right).  I've always believed actions speak louder than words and place great importance in action.  Of course, the pop culture interpretation of Karma is along the lines of "beware what you do, because [karma] will come back and bite your ass".  I don't know if I believe in that - I've never been a big fan of "do the right thing so good things happen to you".  I prefer "Do the right thing because it's the right thing to do".

So why has Karma been on my mind?  It's because I don't know if I'm doing the right thing these days.  School's piling up a lot of work.  That means the precious amounts of free time I have left is spent watching TV / going out to party with local friends.  That means people who are important to me that aren't nearby fall to the wayside: I've talked to my parents once this week.  My (rakhi) sister only once and texted a couple of times.  Let's not even talk about me keeping in touch / being there for my close friends outside my family.  All of this isn't unexpected - I'm in medical school, it's going to be a lot of work and a lot of pressure.  I know it, my family knows it, and many of my friends probably know it and understand as well.  I guess the issue is I'm feeling slightly guilty I'm prioritizing things like TV above keeping in touch with people.

Beyond that, I'm also at a certain crossroads in my life right now (it's got nothing to do with school).  It's a crossroads I've been to before, and I'm pretty sure I'll choose the same path... again... and it is not a fun path to walk (yes I know I'm being cryptic).  And I don't know if it's the right action.

I do the right thing because it's the right thing to do.  But when I'm concerned I may not be doing the right thing... that's when I start worrying about the second part of Karma: that it comes back to smack me over the head.

I just have to remember that at the end of the day, I can only do the best I can.  I have to trust that I've got a strong moral & intellectual compass.  Because the conquest of Karma lies in intelligent action.

In other good news - I started my p90x workout regimen again.  Whoo!