This was part of an email sent from someone who was promoting coaching services.
“The money you receive is meant to measure how much you have contributed to others overall.
If you have failed to make the pay you want, you need to work on the benefit you supply to your fellow human beings.
It generally takes mindset and training and love.
The more you benefit people, the richer you get. It’s one of the unbreakable laws of reality. “
When I inititally read it, I had several simultaneous reactions. The first was that it was encouraging me to evaluate what I offer to the world. (thumbs up on that one) The second was that he was indicating that if I wasn’t making the money I desired, then somehow I was lacking in committment, or worth. (two thumbs down on that one) It pushed my buttons, since as a social worker/journalist/minister/presenter/coach, my income is not commensurate with the value I offer. Like many of you, I have spent decades in professional training and providing service to a variety of clients, students, and readers. Our culture tells us that certain professions are worthy of higher income. A sweatshirt that I have seen advertised online reads “Social Work: In it for the outcome, not the income.” After blowing raspberries, I posted a comment on the Facebook page on which I had read the odious statement reminding my professional peers that this mindset was why we are notoriously underpaid.
I have many musician friends who have been offered the opportunity to perform in various venues ‘for the exposure,’ with the added incentive that they could sell CDs afterward. There was no direct financial remuneration provided. I wonder what would happen if they had said to the restaurant owner, “How about if I have a meal at your establishment on the house and if I like it, I will tell my friends and family? It will be great exposure.” What are the chances that would go over well?
Many who offer healing services find themselves in a push-pull dilemma. Somewhere a seed kernel was planted which said that those who do metaphysical or holistic work shouldn’t oughta be well compsenated for it, since it is a ‘gift from God’. Got news for you…so might every other skill be. Do you think that my utility company or mortgage lender makes an exception in my case and gives me permission to forgo paying my bills since I am a minister?
When we expect to be under-valued, without speaking out about it, we are more likely to remain so.
When I perused a site called payscale.com and searched for the various careers on which I have embarked, I was not surprised by the salary range. My degree (MSW) is in Social Work. I earned it in 1985, which means that I have held various positions in the field for 32 years. “A Social Worker earns an average salary of $43,210 per year. Most people with this job move on to other positions after 20 years in this career.” I am also an interfaith minister. I don’t have a congregation, but instead, am an officiant of weddings, funerals, baby blessings and other rites of passage. That means that this figure doesn’t directly apply to me. “The average pay for a Minister is $49,919 per year. A skill in Leadership is associated with high pay for this job.” In addition, I am a freelance journalist. “ A Freelance Writer earns an average wage of $24.24 per hour. Experience strongly influences pay for this job.”
Other professions:
A Head Football Coach earns an average salary of $60,049 per year.
According to moneynation.com, “The typical NFL player makes $860,000 per year in 2015. Players like Drew Brees ($23.8 million) and Philip Rivers ($21.2 million) make a lot more. The minimum NFL salary is $435,000 per year.”
For grins and giggles, I researched what rock bands haul in each year and discovered that
Coldplay nets
- Annual: USD 64,000,000.00
- Monthly: USD 5,333,333.00
- Weekly: USD 1,230,769.00
- Daily: USD 175,342.00.00
The Rolling Stones are not gathering moss at
- Annual: USD 66,500,000.00
- Monthly: USD 5,541,666.00
- Weekly: USD 1,278,846.00
- Daily: USD 182,191.00
When I posted the quote on my Facebook page, a flurry of responses ensued. Various opinions were cast:
“ Perhaps richer does not mean wealthier.”
“I can honestly say that I contribute a great deal to others and my pay is monetary as well as other forms. I believe that I could easily be paid more than what I currently make at both of my jobs and I am certain that will happen over time, however I truly enjoy what I do and the impact I have on others and that is “payment” as well. Our value is not just in the dollars we make for services we provide. I am certain that the “benefit I supply to my fellow human beings “ is great and the knowledge, tools and love and light I share and bring to what I do is valuable.”
“ I always pay attention to who said the words and what their intent for speaking was. This smacked of someone making a promise like a salesperson. A bad salesperson. I am richer from helping others and bringing them value, but not richer monetarily. I don’t live in a world where I want or expect to make more money for my good works, and I think I’ve learned kindness by having less monetarily. If someone had fed that line to me, I’d wonder what I said first to make them say that, then let them know they don’t understand me at all.”
“That may be part of it…but not the whole deal. You have to appreciate what you have to offer, just as much as it benefits others. One without the other is why most women are paid less than men contributing similar benefits.”
“ I think it should be the wealth you receive which isn’t the same as money received. There are WAY too many rich, selfish people in this world to make that logically true. There is a correlation between what you give and what you get. But it isn’t financial nor should it be.”
“ I can honestly say that I contribute a great deal to others and my pay is monetary as well as other forms. I believe that I could easily be paid more than what I currently make at both of my jobs and I am certain that will happen over time, however I truly enjoy what I do and the impact I have on others and that is “payment” as well. Our value is not just in the dollars we make for services we provide. I am certain that the “benefit I supply to my fellow human beings “ is great and the knowledge, tools and love and light I share and bring to what I do is valuable.”
“ This rings like the prosperity gospel used by some to justify their comfort & insulate them from a life of service & compassion towards those in need.”
“ I disagree. It feels to me that money and self worth should never be tied together. One does not make the other. I know people with nothing who contribute a great lot and many with much who are mean of spirit.”
“ Yes. I believe this is true, but that wealth is not always measured monetarily. God shows up with your provisions. Your gifts are meant to be given away. Our blessings are meant to be a blessing to others. All you send out will be mirrored back to you (and then some).”
“ Love this thread. I would re-write it. There are some very general, dogmatic ideas in this quote/note. It’s the danger of any belief system. Most of the ideas are well intentioned. Here is how I would re-write it: The Good you receive is often a reflection of your consciousness of abundance. Circulation must have a giving and a receiving. If your stream is a trickle you may be mired in ‘self’, immerse yourself in service to others, to the planet, to what calls you and watch your good increase. Train your consciousness to be staid on Love. Love is limitless supply and the foundation of your Good. The more you benefit Life (your life and the lives of All), the richer your consciousness will be, abundance in all forms is inevitable. It’s one of the unbreakable laws of Reality. “
As I delved more deeply into the concept that began this article, I felt a growing sense of certainty that the value by which I measure the reach, scope, power and benefit of my work cannot be limited and that what I offer to the world is priceless.
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This post was previously published on huffpost.com and is republished on Medium.
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