It's Not About the Money!

I got a lovely message from one of our Pobal Community Members today, and I'd like to share a few thoughts it stirred up. She said:

I want you to know I am interested in all you talk about. At present, I have no funds to purchase anything but I enjoy getting your messages and what info I can recieve. Thank you so much.

I have stuff for sale on my website, and I'll send a message through to the Pobal Community every so often with a special offer, or news on books, courses, or events they can spend money on, if they want to.

I am a business person, in essence. 

I've spent many years managing and running SMEs, from tourism and heritage to Copywriting Ireland. Dealing with marketing, commercial entities and business concerns is as natural to me as breathing. And I love it!

You know what else I love though?  More than business and marketing? I love Ireland.

Yeah it sounds cheesy, but it's the simple truth. I'm connected to this land and our Irish heritage like nothing else, and it comes MORE naturally to me than breathing. And I want to share!

My response to the Community Member's concern was as follows:

That's no problem. It's nice of course to be paid for the work and energy I give, but foremost it's my life's work to make sure there's a genuine authentic and accessible connection to Ireland available for those who want, or even need it.

Enjoy the community for as long as it's right for you, and please don't feel any obligation to compensate me with money unless you are in a position to do so. Pay me in reviews, word of mouth recommendations, or just light me a candle every so often - send me a smile and good thoughts :-)

Let's be clear. I have no problem or ethical qualms about being paid for work I do, even spiritual work. Most of my work IS spiritual work, and I'd starve pretty quickly if I didn't get paid. 

I've studied and practiced for 20 years now, I have put in my apprenticeship hours.

I've paid in time and tuition money for Psychology, for Leadership Skills, for Learning to Teach, and a myriad of other skills and crafts I've picked up through the years that make me the writer, presenter, therapist and teacher I am today. 

You can read some of my views on compensation for 'Priestess Business' here on my website.

There's a notice in my 'Practical Guide' book for anyone who's downloaded it 'illegally' - basically saying that I put time and effort into learning it and writing it, so cough up if you can afford it, or at least donate the cover price to charity - but if you genuinely can't afford it, I'd prefer you have the book than not, for the sake of money.

Upshot of all this is... yes, I actively expect to make money from all of this writing, teaching, and presenting work I do - if you have it to give, and feel what I have to offer is worth supporting me with cold hard cash, then be fair.

But if you don't have it, don't sweat it. Join the Community Mailing List, get the free stuff, and enjoy. Write back to me! Tell your friends! Review my books! 

Community and Connection are what really matter. It's not about the money  :-)