Without Bargaining

From the Brady Tarot, Death; from the African American Wisdom Knowledge Cards, 'Frederick Douglass:'

The real treasure begins in the breaking. The body breaks, things change, life ends. Only when impermanence is fully apprehended do we really have the chance to serve, to give without bargaining. —Bonnie Myotai Treace 

It is a law of the physical world that whatever is born or created will eventually break, fall apart or die. The hourglass of life is glued to the table; nothing will flip it over. Everyone knows this in their heads, yet our heart resists. But acceptance allows us to focus on what is important, not the personal opinions and diatribes that waste so many of our days. Frederick Douglass was an escaped slave who became a prominent figure in the abolitionist movement. As a slave, he taught himself to read; he later became an eloquent speaker and famous author. Even after the Civil War and the Emancipation Proclamation, he continued to advocate for human rights, including the right of women to vote. He would likely agree that we should make our life count rather than count on life to provide us with happiness.

Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does. — William James