A Great Way To Get What You Need Without It Costing a Penny

A fun and interesting option that works well

When people ask me about what I learned from martial arts, I don’t talk about favorite punches or kicks, or about fights won or lost. I talk about learning self-discipline, about ethics and manners and benevolence and fairness. — Jonathan Maberry

Recently, I wrote an essay about an aspect of providing various services that can present a significant challenge. Not just for me, but for others who are in positions where this can be a problem.

The issue is that there are certain services and situations that seem to make some people think they shouldn’t have to pay for what they receive.

In my essay, I was specifically referring to the work I did as a psychic and medium, but it was also a problem when I was a practicing homeopath and even earlier, during my days in social work and offering hypnosis to help my clients. As Nicole Dake said in her comment to me on that piece:

“As someone who used to read Tarot, I always felt guilty charging people, so all I ever did was free readings. People really do take advantage if you let them. They think just because you have ‘gifts’ you are meant to be some sort of servant of everyone.”

However, we have to take care of ourselves, first and foremost. We must see to our own needs before doing anything else in order to be at our best. That’s the only way to be able to give our best. I’m pretty sure that if we’re homeless and starving on a cold street, we wouldn’t be doing great readings or offering the best therapy or whatever else people think should be given to them at no charge.

The point I was making in that essay was about appreciating the value in what is being offered. Sadly, although many people appreciate the benefits they receive from such services, there are too many who don’t see any reason to pay for them.

An Affordable — and Fun! — Alternative

If money is tight — or even if it isn’t — there is another “payment option”. I’ve used it on numerous occasions and it has always worked well.

It’s the good old-fashioned barter system.

As long as everyone involved feels as though they’re getting something of fair value in return for what they’re offering, it’s an excellent alternative. It might mean a dollar-for-dollar (or whatever currency you use) exchange, such as $500 in mechanic’s labour for $500 in massage therapy fees. Or it could be time-for-time, such as an hour’s psychic reading for an hour of counselling.

It doesn’t have to be “equal” in either time or money either. It can be about what the offer means or how it helps in other ways. “I’ll help you clear out your basement for the next 3 days if you’ll call that great friend of yours who’s an agent for top musicians and give me a glowing recommendation as a back-up singer.” Whatever works, as long as you’re both happy.

An excellent guide is the quote at the top of this piece: “…ethics and manners and benevolence and fairness.”

The most fun barter experience I ever had was when I did hypnosis for a woman, who did some work for a man who owned a pet shop, who built a lovely big vivarium — complete with heater and light — for one of my snakes, “Bob” (pictured below. He was so silly — and so sweet!).

In that fabulous bartering arrangement, all three of us got something we needed and not a penny changed hands.

A Little Appreciation Goes a Long Way

There are many ways in which we can support each other in life, many ways we can offer our assistance, guidance and help along the way. It’s such a blessing to be on the receiving end of any good service in any industry and it takes so little to show appreciation for it. Even when we’ve paid for it, it doesn’t hurt to say, “Thank you,” or to express what we particularly liked about it.

The world is full of opportunities for us to be reminded of our shortcomings. It’s such a treat when someone says, “Hey, that thing you just did for me — that meant such a lot and you did a great job!”

Nothing wrong with inserting a little dose of positive energy into someone’s day, just because you can.

And certainly, expecting to pay for services you request is a great place to start. Expecting freebies is seriously not cool.

I can’t help but think about Newton’s Third Law of Motion, which (paraphrased) is that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

Therefore, it’s simple. When we value and show appreciation for what others do for us, they’re much more inclined to reciprocate.

Think a reading doesn’t offer enough value to warrant compensation? Ask the woman who received these powerful messages:

On another note: Discovering my abilities as a psychic and medium was terrifying. Here’s the story…