My Thoughts Become My Future

Watch your thoughts, for they become words.
Watch your words, for they become actions.
Watch your actions, for they become habits.
Watch your habits, for they become character.
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.
(author unknown)

All actions begin with a thought. This thought when investigated has power behind it. This power or energy could be looked at as either positive, neutral, or negative. Clearly this is a simplification but it works for the purpose of discussion.

The power of each thought leaves an imprint within our mind and future. We could say that we all recognize that a thought when repeated often becomes eventually a habit. However, each thought, on its own, has momentum of its own. This propelling power exist well before such a thought becomes a habit.

How do we know if a thought (and eventually words and actions which follow) have positive, neutral, or negative karma? I want to give the best sacred advice I have been given:

If a thought, word, or action is done for our own benefit, then it is harmful (negative).
If a thought, word, or action is done for others benefit, then it is beneficial (positive).

All of our suffering, without exception,
Is the result from our wish to please ourselves.
The thoughts and actions that benefit others
Give birth to Supreme Enlightenment.
Give up our selfish desires and shameful neglect of our suffering kin,
Replace thoughts of self with concern for others.
This is the way of the Bodhisattva.

Many Dharma Blessings,

Geoff