The Work, Not the Results

From the Vision Quest Tarot, the Star; from the Bird Cards, Gannet:

Wise hope is not seeing things unrealistically but rather seeing things as they are, including the truth of suffering — both its existence and our capacity to transform it. ~Joan Halifax

          When we feel beaten down, overwhelmed, and without hope, it is natural that we look for guidance. But often what we seek is something that will promise us what we want. Yet the wise hope Halifax refers to means we accept the likelihood that change won't rigidly conform to what we desire. The Gannet is a large bird capable of diving from 100 ft. heights reaching speeds of 60 mph to pursue fish at much greater depths than most seabirds. Its supposed capacity for eating large quantities has led to the term 'gannet' being used to describe someone with a voracious appetite. It suggests we ask ourselves: "Instead of what we long for, what is it that we actually need?"

Do not depend on the hope of results. You may have to face the fact that your work will be apparently worthless and even achieve no result at all, if not perhaps results opposite to what you expect. As you get used to this idea, you start more and more to concentrate not on the results, but on the value, the rightness, the truth of the work itself. You gradually struggle less and less for an idea... ~Thomas Merton