{This is a Feel Good Post}
You may hate me for this and think I am not progressive enough. But what I see is that although the altruistic notion of trading our craft for another brilliant craft seems euphorically utopian, we are not ready for this.
Bartering would work IF:
1. We were all evolved enough to heal our own crap every single moment that it gets brought up.
2. We knew our worth and were not looking for someone else to define it.
3. Whole foods accepted my coaching as a form of payment for lusciously priced produce.
4. It felt so good, you could not stand yourself not going for it!
5. You get the picture…
Barters work, until they don’t. They feel good, until they don’t.
And most people do not have the skill sets necessary to be able to confront the previously agreed upon trade and say, “this does not work for me”, or “something feels off about our exchange now”…
It’s not our fault.
Please know, it is so not our fault; not yours and certainly not theirs.
We have all tried this, with good intention, and sometimes received blessings that are priceless, and no amount of money could come close to comparing.
And we have all experienced the painful moment of trying to explain to another why we are worth more than they are, or having to hear it from the other side.
As much as we don’t want to hear it in our hippie-dippy-we-are-all-one (me included!) it does not work, YET.
Yes, I said YET.
See, I still have hope. I have hope that one day we will leave behind having to prove our worth, or having to quantify our value, service, or love. It is my vision that one day we will all be able to accept one another and be open to the gifts that we each bring without putting a price on it.
In the meantime, I got college tuitions to prepare for, a retirement to fund, and a lovely desire to visit places I have only read about.
So, for now, I would gently urge that if you are struggling to meet some of your needs, you refrain from gifting or being gifted. If it works for you, by all means, keep on keeping on.
And while we are on this topic, let’s talk about our needs.
Yeah, needs… you know where I am going… at least I hope so. Maybe in this moment you are asking yourself the question of the century, “What do I really, I mean actually reallyneed?”
We all confuse needs with wants, and it’s time we revisit our concept. Not anyone else’s concept, but our own.
What do we need?
What would allow us to feel safe, have shelter, proper food, proper health, love… you, know… the basics.
I find it hilarious that when I was making $20K per year, I had all my basic needs met, PLUS somehow I found myself traveling to distant lands. Yes, yes, I know family, kids, mortgages, etc. all complicate the story. But maybe that’s what this is all about… how complicated are our lives?
So, the smack down on bartering is a balance: a dance if you will… between:
1. Barter when we are all evolved enough to handle it (even if you think you or they are, approach the deal with caution) and
2. Forget society and ask yourself the question… what do I really need, and what do I really want?
3. And most importantly the calling of the soul. Your soul will call, trust me. And it will tell you, “Sister, you have got to serve this woman, so give yourself without expecting a THING.” When your soul calls like that, you gotta answer. My recommendation, would be that you not make this a habit, but more of an isolated love fest.
Has this article confused you or helped you? I want to know. I think you may want to chat with me more… hit reply & I will for sure engage in a sweet dialogue with you!