Karma is more than just a saying — for me it’s a valuable way of life.

If everyone saw some greater substance in karma, as I do, the world would be a friendlier, more functional place. While it awakens skepticism, the concept sets a good precedent for society.

Last week my mom walked past an old lady in the street begging for money. Instead of spending money at Starbucks for lunch, she handed the lady a $20 bill. Yesterday, she went to the grocery store and found $20 on the pavement in the parking lot — immediately she thought about the lady.

While this may seem like a lucky coincidence, for my family and I, this forms the foundation of a system of belief.

I grew up Buddhist. In my faith, we believe in karma niyama, the order of act and result. Basically, you get what you give and, in turn, you give what you get.

In a sense, karma is a part of faith. But, for me, it’s also a way to restore some sort of balance in life. Believing in karma forces you to reflect on your actions and how they may affect those around you. This ultimately leads individuals to be better towards one another and to be constructive and thoughtful in the way they act.

Karma also dictates that things happen for a reason. This very idea helps me take responsibility for my own happiness, as well as my own misery. As a life philosophy, it helps me deal with the tough times and encourages me to fight through them while continuing to do good.

Believing in karma can help individuals deal with difficult times, while retaining a positive outlook.

People may question its accuracy — after all karma isn’t proven by science — but it allows people to be conscious of the consequences of their actions and, ultimately, can make our society a better and more thoughtful place.

Tiffany is the Associate Photo Editor at the Journal.