I recently came accross this explanation of what karma is by Pema Chödrön:

People get into a heavy-duty sin and guilt trip, feeling that if things are going wrong, that means that they did something bad and they are being punished. That’s not the idea at all. The idea of karma is that you continually get the teachings that you need to open your heart. To the degree that you didn’t understand in the past how to stop protecting your soft spot, how to stop armoring your heart, you’re given this gift of teachings in the form of your life, to give you everything you need to open further.

This reminded me of another little nugget from her that I repeat to myself quite often…This very moment is the perfect teacher.

Sometimes, when something aggravates me, or makes me sad, or impatient, I manage to step aside and try to understand why I feel that way. It’s a great way to diffuse the tension. I wish I was able to do it every time, but let me be honest, as of now, I’m more at the other end of the spectrum. Baby steps!