Charging for Services

1. Today I'm going to wade into an area that always causes a lot of difference of opinion, some confusion and runs deep with some. TO CHARGE OR NOT TO CHARGE! I've been asked (as all of you who provide services of our nature have) if I've been given a "gift" why am I charging people for sharing that gift.
   
   You're right, I do feel very blessed to be able to be doing the work that I do, and I have been told that I have a "gift". For that....I give praise and thanks daily. But.....I've also taken a lot of training at a large expense, workshops, purchased many books, items to assist my work, created dedicated space to do this work in, travel to and from events to share this work and give of my time (sometimes at my families expense)freely.....all in an effort to assist my gift and to be able to provide the best possible service to my clients and those who seek me out. If I DON'T put a value to the services I provide than I can't expect you to Value it either. We all put belief in the adage "You get what you pay for"
   -or- "you never get anything for free". And we believe that because we don't see a value attached to getting it for free....it can't possibly be worth more than that...or it wouldn't be free. "I" Value myself and I value my gifts and if I give them away freely then I can't expect you to attach any value to them.
   
   Having said all that, I have always struggled with charging people and it's been a very hard lesson in growth for me. Those who have been to see me will tell you.....I still don't like to handle the exchange of the money and when I do group sessions I have the person organinzing the event collect the money for me. It is a lesson I struggle with still. I keep my fees to a very reasonable rate in comparison to some (no offence intended to anyone....we all have a method of arriving at our fees) and as all of my clients know full well....many times a session runs over and I've never charged for that time (within in reason). I also DO offer a prayer circle free of charge in which I accept prayer and healing requests from people and offer prayers or send healing as a way to give back of my services to those who need a little boost. Currently those requests come in at an average of three or four a day and it does take time and work on my behalf to attend to these....this is my Gift in service to humanity.
   
   For those of my clients who regularly book sessions, training courses, and/or workshops with me.......I thank you for Valuing my gift.
   
   Many Blessings to all.