Bargain – an agreement between parties on the value of something. Included in the bargains (agreements) are the conditions that each party is agreeing to. Acceptance by all parties then allows for retaining, transferring, or receiving possession of what was bargained for. Remember the saying about contracts, “the big print giveth and the fine print (conditions) taketh away!”
I woke a couple mornings ago remembering a poem:
I bargained with Life for a penny,
And Life would pay no more,
However I begged at evening
When I counted my scanty store;
For Life is a just employer,
He gives you what you ask,
But once you have set the wages,
Why, you must bear the task.
I worked for a menial’s hire,
Only to learn, dismayed,
That any wage I had asked of Life,
Life would have paid.
—Jessie Belle Rittenhouse
A few days later, I woke with my ever-creative mind playing with thoughts about bargaining, such as:
What are some of the conditions in the “consensus realities” or “consensus trances” we unknowingly follow? What are the unknown or unwritten agreements included within each culture or system?
Consensus is a part of every culture and system. It is the rules or truths agreed upon by our families, significant others, communities, and even entire countries, which are a major part of our lives. These agreements or rules are also usually hidden from our consciousness.
These societal laws, or rules are the definitions (the conditions) of what is acceptable or unacceptable. They operate in the background. It’s the fine print of what’s right or wrong, allowed or not allowed.
A question to consider is, do we even care enough, to want to understand, “the fine print” of what or who we are? How many of us even read the terms of service, before we click… I agree?
In our daily lives do we wander around with our eyes closed? Are we missing the bargains (not even noticing people who could be of great value) or the problems (possible catastrophes or dangers) around us?
Choice or Burden
Our ongoing choices are what direct the quality of how our lives will be!
Are we living the life we wanted? Am I living life on my terms or have I been directed into someone else’s choices?
Is this bargain forever?
If we are still breathing we can always try to renegotiate! That does not mean we will always get what we want or the other party will negotiate in our favor, or at all. However, many people are surprised to find they are able to renegotiate and achieve better outcomes for themselves.
Is this bargain absolute?
A wise old sage once said answers to questions are not, yes or no, true or false. There are at least four answers to any question or request. 1. Yes, 2. No, 3. Yes for some of it and No for some of it, 4. Neither Yes or No for this question (maybe it’s not the right question).
Do our bargains involve others?
Do they honestly know there is an agreement? What are the conditions of satisfaction? Have the others involved agreed to this bargain, and are they willing to follow through on the agreements?
Consequences
What are the positive gains for myself, and others, if we do, or do not continue with the agreements? What are the negative loses for myself, and others, if we do, or do not, continue with those agreements?
This bargain needs to be valuable enough to keep giving it our life force, our life’s energy. The agreement needs to enhance our life, and add love, health, happiness, and purpose. Is it working? Consider the four answers suggested by the sage:
- Yes – wonderful!
- No – not wonderful (it is about the quality of life)! Can you renegotiate?
- Some yes and some no – is it the right balance for your highest quality of life?
- Neither yes or no – time to decide differently!
Perhaps instead of “I bargained with life for a penny,” a new suggestion:
“I bargain with life, and accepting that bargain life gives no more,
life is neither fair, nor unfair, and gives only what I settle for,
the ‘conditions’ are mine to accept, or change, as now I do,
knowing that once a bargain has been set, it is up to me to do the rest
It is with this choosing, Life responds and answers; shall I Exist, or will it be More?”
Thank you for listening to (reading) my musings about our “Bargains with Life”, and beginning to ask what those agreements are for yourself.
Unconsciously we live the conditions of those bargains (the agreements and conditions). Whether knowingly or unknowingly, what we accept is how we live…and life gives no more. So we must choose wisely!
I invite my fellow travelers, in this experience of life, to join me and each day to consciously make frequent stops along life’s path.
To ask:
What is the bargain I am living right now? How did I become part of it?
What are the conditions of this bargain and am I aware of its consequences?
Is this agreement and its conditions for the highest and best for me to continue?
May the future bargains that you choose have “acceptable conditions” that are very favorable for a long, prosperous, happy and fulfilling life!
Peace and Blessings!
Rich Aanrich
Apositiva Center