By Joan Alexander
Is there enough for all?
When shopping, have you ever arrived at the checkout and had the clerk say to you, “Our scanners are down. Just pay what you can. I will bag your items while you decide how much to give me.”? No? Neither have I.
When I first began my practice, which includes offering workshops and retreats, a business coach counselled me. They advised that setting a high cost would ensure that people realized the value of what I was offering. And by requiring payment up-front clients would make every effort to show up. Also, if a minimum of people had not registered by a certain date, the sessions and events were to be cancelled.
Did it work? If what I do is a business – yes, it likely would. Because a business has expenses: administration, supplies, ongoing education, licenses and insurance. Yet, even though I have these same expenses, I am not following this business advice. I am managing this “practice” on a “pay what you can” basis. And this has changed the way I live my life.
How?
I am continually surprised by the people that have crossed my path — those who give way more than I expect and those who give way less - those who risk calling for an appointment and are relieved to know that my first response is not “my fee is…” – those who register but do not show up — those who call at the very last minute and ask to attend.
All my expectations fall to the wayside. As a very organized person who always took great pride in setting timelines and budgets, it is not smooth sailing. I worry and wonder how to manage going forward. And, then a gift finds its way to my door – no, not a big lottery cheque – but something even more precious (I will let you imagine what it was). And, I relax in the newfound knowledge that there truly is enough for all.
Now, if only we could accept that our hurting world could be forever healed if we only believed this to be true.