This morning, despite having woken up at 5:00AM I was still unable to meditate for more than two minutes as my toddler decided that he’d wake up as well and my wife informed me that she needed to sleep. I was immediately struck by just how bitter and resentful I was while simultaneously realizing that all of this was due to my kamma or, if you like, the choices I had made to bring me to this point. Equanimity
is characterized as promoting the aspect of neutrality towards beings. Its function is to see equality in beings. It is manifested as the quieting of resentment and approval. Its proximate cause is seeing ownership of deeds (kamma)…It succeeds when it makes resentment and approval subside, and it fails when it produces the equanimity of unknowing, which is that [worldly-minded indifference or ignorance] based on the house life.
Equanimity balances the other three, leads to a deeper understanding of the doctrine of kamma (volitional activity), and ensures mettā, compassion and sympathetic joy are developed equally towards all beings. Equanimity is the key concept that informs my understanding of compassion.
I can’t explain why the realization only hit me today but when I reflect on the fact that my own actions bring me the circumstances in which I find myself there is simply no excuse to indulge in bitterness or self-pity.
Source:
Cattāri Brahmavihārā 
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