Commission for the cover of Wonk magazine's 8th issue... the theme is the handwritten issue. The Wonk is a nickname for Wetaskiwin, Alberta and one of the things the city is known for is their historic water tower.
The influence in my life is to try everyday to live with respect to the teachings of Buddha.
In Buddhism, karma specifically refers to those actions (of body, speech, and mind) that spring from mental intent and which bring about a consequence or result.
The five precepts are training rules in order to live a better life in which one is happy, without worries, and can meditate well:
1. To refrain from taking life (non-violence towards sentient life forms), or ahimsā.
2. To refrain from taking that which is not given (not committing theft).
3. To refrain from sensual (including sexual) misconduct.
4. To refrain from lying.
5. To refrain from altering one's state through drugs or alcohol.