It matters as much as what we do, as how we do it

It matters as much as what we do, as how we do it. Our attitude and intention for our actions (behavior, speech, and thoughts/feelings) set the tone for their consequences. This is karma. When we complete an action, there is a residual that will ripen later and have a strong influence over our future, starting with the next moment, but could ripen anytime in the future when conducive circumstances arise. Consequences of actions are ripening all the time. Positive intentions give rise to happy situations, whereas harmful ones give rise to painful situations. When the action itself is harmful, painful consequences will arise. Both the intention and the rest of the action determine to a large degree, although not 100%, our future experiences. We do have some free will. Nevertheless, please be mindful to set positive intentions.