Valuing yourself!
Saturday, July 25, 2009 at 12:36AM Having had this gift for years I have had to face skeptics and people
who feel that if I have a gift I should do it for nothing and trust me
right at the beginning when I started this work I struggled with it too.
I always felt that because I have a gift I shouldn't charge. And I
know there are probably so many people who feel that way and then
there are others who are in the same position who are just starting
out in this and wondering whether to charge or not.
Well the reality is, we have to live and put a roof over our head. I
have done this work along side a regular job and it got to the point
where something had to give. I either had to knuckle down and focus on
my regular job and leave the witchywoo world behind or I had to leave
and commit to this work.
I finally decided, or should I say the decision was made for me, to
concentrate on this work. So I had to charge.
I had to face this today but in a totally different way. I was
questioned, in what I considered to be a very interesting and great
interview (and I am being honest, it made a difference to be
challenged and I never mind that) in why I didn't just take James
Randi's challenge and win a million dollars and then I would not have
to charge and I would be known to be the best psychic in the world.
Well the reality is this... I don't feel I need to prove myself to
anyone and I don't want to win a million dollars because what I do is
not a competition and I am happy being who I am, it's actually not
about the money.
Yes it's true, because of my schedule I don't give private readings
like I used to because I just can't physically do it any more but the
ones I do do are free of charge because now I am blessed where I can
give to those who need it.
There are many times that I have said to someone in the meet and greet
line, I need to read for you, and when time permits I do. It's now
about giving back.
However I was taught by my reiki master that there needs to be an
exchange of energy and whether it's a bottle of wine or a donation or
flower it doesn't matter it puts a value on what you do and it shows
respect and I for one believe that.
I'm not sure where I was going with this but you should always value
what you do and understand that even though you may feel guilty for
charging a certain price for your services you are putting a value on
it.
I know there will be many who disagree with this but hey, that's my
feeling and one I've battled with for years.
Have a great weekend all
Hugs
Lisa xx
Reader Comments (54)
Lisa..You know, why do we ever need to explain ourselves?? Does a doctor need to perform miracles for us to know that they are a doctor? No, then why should you?
You are who you are, and you shouldn't appologise regarding your gift nor should you explain why you need to make a living using it...We are all gifted in may ways..Some people are fine artists, musicians, athletes,parents, teachers, buliders etc....the list goes on and on....Just because you have a unique talent, doens't mean you have to ignore the benifits?..besides, you do so much good for people..You have no idea how much you help people?? I think you deserve to be happy to, and quite personally, i think many will agree, that you deserve anything you earn..And then some..Quite frankly, you deserve even more than you receive, as you donate alot of your money anyway..Your job is physically and mentally taxing, so why shouldn't you earn a wage to be able to take care of yourself??? You go for it!!! You do what you think is best and just enjoy your life, ok? Love Stace XXX
I haven't heard of you before and I saw you on tv last night and I was really amazed. you have a wondeful energy and gift. I came on this website to learn more and then saw this blog - amazing the interconnectedness of life!
Its so strange, i only set up my own website this week offering free readings and spent the last two days really wondering if i should charge or have a donation button .
I decided against it for the moment and that I'd give it one month to do free readings and the exchange will be that i grow and learn by doing them and sitters hopefully heal or find peace of mind from what i relay. After this month I may charge a small fee.
Thanks ever so much for your re-assuring blog, it's made me realise that it doesnt matter about charging or not charging.. it's about the give and take and balancing the scales. As long as we find a healthy way to do this, be it money, support, love etc then we will remain happy, secure beings.
Cheers Lisa
l am just starting out and had this conversation with my teacher Jane.l said l can't take money from people and she said ,oh yes you can. This is money for the time you spend away from your children,husband,friends and family.If this becomes your profession you need to pay the bills . Rachael,people don't value or appreciate things when they are for free.(most that is)My reply was oookkkk but once again she is right.
HI Lisa xxoxo Sounds like this has really been eating at you and you needed to blog about it as a way of venting/releasing what you have been feeling. Please, Lisa, don't feel guilty that you charge and don't let anyone else make you feel guilty either. I have no problem with a medium charging a fee however I do believe it should not be excessive like some of the other well known mediums charge which I personally feel is ridiiculous and wayyyyy out of line and I have to say I have lost respect for a few of them as they come across as greedy and money hungry,
Lisa, I admire you for all the help you give ppl and it is very refreshing that you do indeed do free readings from time to time. You are one of the very few who are not "all about the money or stardom" and that is exactly what makes u unique and different from the others.
You need to make a living and this is how you do it, what you are best at so just continue as you have been honey and don't let anyone else make you feel guilty about it. Your a gem for sure:)
Warm Hugs
Lori
Lisa, I just feel you shouldn't have to explain yourself about it. I guess people question it and I'm sure this will help people who are wondering what to do but be sure that for most of us who follow you and read you everyday, there is no need to explain, we understand you and it seems obvisous that you had to concentrate on your gift. In fact it was pure generosity from you to do that. We all know that doing what you do is not always easy. And ok it was a gift but I guess that you haven't always seen it as a gift when you were a little girl for example and so now you have what you have because you deserve it, you have transformed it as the most beautifull thing so enjoy it and it's only fair.
So Lisa, we all feel who you are, a wonderful, generous, empathetic, full of light woman who loves others. And we all love you back ;-)
Have a great day !
Love,
Lise
Hi Lisa,
Reading you blog today I feel like you were speaking to me and confirming what
I really do know but been struggling with the idea of charging people when I read for them.
I come to the reasoning that my payment would be a hugg but I have people that just think that when they have a issue in live they can stop you in the street and expect you to read for them there and then on there terms not mine.
So thank you Lisa for your blog, I really did need to have that confirmed.
Bugg hugs to all
Leeanne
Lisa,
You have a wonderful gift and I have been blessed with your free readings twice at your shows. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Keep doing what feels best for you. I always say we should follow our hearts....you can't go wrong that way. I thank you for all you do....
peace and happiness to you and yours, Lisa....deb t/illinois
Lisa ...
It seems to me ... that if you figure out your gift ... whether it be writing, finance, working with children, acting, or leadership ... and then be able to work using that gift ... then you have indeeed found joy. Your gift is your passion. How fun to bring your passion with you to work. It is the very best. Because you are able to connect and make a difference.
Huge Morning Hugs and Love,
Mindy
I completely agree with Melinda - when people write books or create great works of art or even sing and dance - they charge for it - making money doing what you love is truly a blessing and something everyone should aspire to - I work in the child welfare profession and while I believe it to be a noble calling I DO expect to get paid - As far as your gift being questioned, anyone who has seen you already knows the truth!!
Lisa,
Your blog noted that this came up during an interview. Can you share the details? When it will be aired, network, etc...?
You're the second authentic medium I have known and I didn't mind paying the first one for her time and travel expenses when she came to meet a small group at a mutual friends' home.
Have a great weekend.
Peace and love to you!
I think you are quite right :)
You are providing a service at the end of the day - and you are very, very good at it.
Oh and not to forget the questions like "why don't you psychics just 'get' the lotto numbers and never have to work again?". Don't you just love those :)
G
xxx
Hey there Lisa,
Wow...I can't believe people would expect you to work for free. If you are not to get paid for your time and services, than why should a psychologist get paid. I mean you are both helping people. One is dealing with the mind and the other is dealing with Spirit. So many have benefited from your gift and services. A psychologist/social worker deal specifically with the mind while you deal with Spirit and a doctor deals with the body. So I am thinking really what is the difference. How do you really know if a psychologist is helping you? There is no real scientific way of knowing unless of course it is an extreme case. When you work, I see direct results that are amazing and in some ways life changing. You can't help but think why is spirit treated differently then the mind and body. Sometimes I think certain treatment modalities for the mind are just a bunch of mumbo jumbo crap. However, that does not mean I do not respect the work of a good psychologist or think they should not get paid.
It comes down to this. Even if one does not believe in Spirit or value Spirit, you are still providing a service. If you were not to get paid, than that is like saying 'Lisa's time is not worth anything' and that is so wrong. You are a Spiritual therapist/ healer / teacher and should absolutely get paid. It is absurd and so wrong to think otherwise. Just my humble take on it...
Personally, I love and respect your work. Rock on!!!
Love~n~Crystal Light,
DreamSpirit
I feel this was something that was good for people to hear... to help people see and understand such situations better. There are many who can be quick to judge or become frustrated because they have never allowed themselves or gotten the chance to understand "the person in the other shoe."
Anyhow, point being... great blog!... We are not required to "explain" ourselves and why we do what we do... but it's a nice choice to choose to help people understand. =)
I wish everyone a wonderful day and weekend!
Time for my second attempt to try to sleep again now... =)
Much Love,
Vy <3
Lisa, you are fabulous at what you do. I have had the pleasure of seeing 3 different times and have loved and appreciated the gift you have. Even though you have never read for me, I have had the honor of being a part of your shows and watching the JOY and COMFORT you bring to others. It just makes my heart happy to see their faces of hope just shine after your readings!
I would have never questioned the fact that you charge for your gift. As previous comments have mentioned others with gifts, (i.e. acting, singing, artist and etc.) they don't have a problem charging for their services!!! You have put all other things aside in your life so that you can serve and bring happiness into others lives. That is a sacrifice in itself and you so deserve every penny that comes you way.
God bless you Lisa, and may His love and peace continue to shine on you. May you continue to bring joy, comfort, and peace to those you touch upon. Looking forward to your next visit to the New England area!
Hugs and lots of Love to you and yours!
Claudette
Great Post.....I'm glad that you tackled this subject. By the way I wanted to let you know that reading your blogs daily has become a part of my daily routine...its like I wake up in the morning, have my coffee, read the newspaper, read Lisa's Blog, and then off to start my day. Its great! I'm already worrying about the day that you might stop blogging!!!!!!! ;-o
Hi Lisa,
Honestly that's crazy talk! You have a great gift and you're providing a service . I'm a musician , a mother and a business owner. My band at the moment gets paid next to nothing. We are quite popular and may be able to do music full-time. I would never dream of doing it for free. I couldn't anyway. You have really opened my eyes to the spirit world. Now I know so much more and read many books on the subject. As a singer the energy exchange is so strong so I can imagine with what you do. Now I know to protect myself and so on before hand. Thank you so much you are an incredible inspiration and so fun to watch.
Peace and light,
Trish
Good post.
Randi, well, his line of thinking drives me nuts but it also makes me want to take him up just to prove him wrong and shut him up. I enjoy such great challenges, especially with skeptics as it exercises and sharpens my intellectual abilities, especially in verbal or writen communications when debating such topics. More importantly, proving him wrong would be an enormous leap forward for spirituality as a whole and could generate a massive wave of consciousness worldwide. Something for me to think about. Still trying to figure out what I am supposed to do with all this knowing that I have.
Everything happens for a reason and Randi's challenge is just waiting for the right person at the right time to make the best of it for the benefit of everyone.
Each individual's purpose is different. There are those whose purpose doesn't fall in line with charging for readings as their talents help a different line of individuals, and then there are those whose help does require a fee to be charged. They are both right. If you are true to yourself and your gift of spirituality, it shouldn't be an issue because you're doing the right thing.
Best,
Laura
I personally dont think ANY psychic who is true to their gift should take up James Randi's challenge... You have nothing to prove to any one person that you havent already proved openly to the world.
I truely believe that you are doing what you were meant to do, an being on your site for the two years, I have seen you helping others from the kindness of your heart there with nothing in return. None of which is even publicly acknowledged.
You are always giving so much of yourself to others and doing what you can to help others with out rewards or costs.
But like Vy says, It's nice that you would choose to help others understand.
Hugs
Atmosphere
I think that your gift is incredible, which I would gladly pay to receive a reading from you. I agree completely that it is respect. If I were granted a reading I would want to give back simply because I had received such priceless peace and understanding. Those of us that have lost our loved ones from tragedy especially. I am not belittling those whose loved ones have passed with time for them to say goodbye. I know that from personal experience in both circumstances. I believe that your shows and the website are a blessing to all of us. Money is perishable we are not. That is the message and blessing you have given to me.
Best to you and yours,
Ellen
*smile* ... You are loved!
Hugs,
Andrea
I always wonder about the people who think that mediums should work for free. Would those people do the work they do at no charge? It's not too likely. I respect your decision not to make a display of it in a contest -- using the gift in that way would almost seem disrespectful, and is totally different than charging for your valuable service. It's sad, but look at the mediums over time who kind of lost touch with their true gifts by going "over the top" and becoming way too egotistical.
Hi, Lisa I understand that you schedule time in charge but I differ is I'm bored at home and I n'ais nothing to do. It has not made a family outing as it is cut on a no money but I am still happy and good about myself and my friends are living far he has traveled to occupied campers and other countries so I n'ais not many people played with me for a chance that I have my neighbors. Had we sit with and talk an hour in my city it rains often and it's cold it was not a good summer. In addition my brother is handicapped and it is tiring shouts, imitate, jumps everywhere but I like it because he needs me. I have another brother is delinquent, it is violent. He's only twelve years. I do not give up and I did my best ... Often I am depressed but I always say that a weight on your shoulders is heavy when I try to get released. Since it is my teacher who accepts me and believes in me that every day the world tells me I am extraordinary I am the white light and I am unable to hurt anyone. it's true there are people who do not deserve that I support. There are people who treat me badly and I do something I'd done for me revenge. even if they would make the sentence but it does not matter what the feelings are human then you must follow the heart are its soul. You must have the courage to love I love the world I Remec all that is good or bad. Share the light made the spring from your heart. If we can all share this light without hatred or revenge we can be stronger Noémie Beauchamp 15 years xxx
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Merci de votre contribution à Google Traduction.Nous tiendrons compte de votre suggestion pour améliorer la qualité des traductions lors des futures mises à jour de notre système. Hi, Lisa I understand that you schedule time in charge but I differ is I'm bored at home and I n'ais nothing to do. It has not made a family outing as it is cut on a no money but I am still happy and good about myself and my friends are living far he has traveled to occupied campers and other countries so I n'ais not many people played with me for a chance that I have my neighbors. Had we sit with and talk an hour in my city it rains often and it's cold it was not a good summer. In addition my brother is handicapped and it is tiring shouts, imitate, jumps everywhere but I like it because he needs me. I have another brother is delinquent, it is violent. He's only twelve years. I do not give up and I did my best ... Often I am depressed but I always say that a weight on your shoulders is heavy when I try to get released. Since it is my teacher who accepts me and believes in me that every day the world tells me I am extraordinary I am the white light and I am unable to hurt anyone. it's true there are people who do not deserve that I support. There are people who treat me badly and I do something I'd done for me revenge. even if they would make the sentence but it does not matter what the feelings are human then you must follow the heart are its soul. You must have the courage to love I love the world I Remec all that is good or bad. Share the light made the spring from your heart. If we can all share this light without hatred or revenge we can be stronger
Noémie Beauchamp 15 years xxx
Hi, Lisa, my name is Ziying, I am so excited to talk to you this way. I am so amazed by your natural born talent. I think it is the most beautiful thing that one could have this power to help people and society. You are one truly brilliant and wonderful person on this planet that could bring. I really admire your gift. I am just wondering if there is anyway that I could get a personal reading from you by phone or Email. I'm in Canada, and I am not be able to go to US.I dreamed to go to your show, but it is just impossible for me to go to US because I don't have the visa. I am very aware that you are very busy because there are millions of people need your help. I will appreciate with my life if you could just give me couple minutes will do. I recently lost the love of my life. But I strongly feel that he is still around me. My family and friends tries to talk me out and let me believe that is because my grief to him drives me insane so that I can feel him around. But I totally believe my feeling of him being around is not just an illusion. I am really looking forward to talk to you so that I can move on my life. I am desperately need your help, please help me. A million thanks to you.
Hi, Lisa I understand that you schedule time in charge but I differ is I'm bored at home and I n'ais nothing to do. It has not made a family outing as it is cut on a no money but I am still happy and good about myself and my friends are living far he has traveled to occupied campers and other countries so I n'ais not many people played with me for a chance that I have my neighbors. Had we sit with and talk an hour in my city it rains often and it's cold it was not a good summer. In addition my brother is handicapped and it is tiring shouts, imitate, jumps everywhere but I like it because he needs me. I have another brother is delinquent, it is violent. He's only twelve years. I do not give up and I did my best ... Often I am depressed but I always say that a weight on your shoulders is heavy when I try to get released. Since it is my teacher who accepts me and believes in me that every day the world tells me I am extraordinary I am the white light and I am unable to hurt anyone. it's true there are people who do not deserve that I support. There are people who treat me badly and I do something I'd done for me revenge. even if they would make the sentence but it does not matter what the feelings are human then you must follow the heart are its soul. You must have the courage to love I love the world I Remec all that is good or bad. Share the light made the spring from your heart. If we can all share this light without hatred or revenge we can be stronger Noémie Beauchamp 15 years xxx
Hi, Lisa I understand that you schedule time in charge but I differ is I'm bored at home and I n'ais nothing to do. It has not made a family outing as it is cut on a no money but I am still happy and good about myself and my friends are living far he has traveled to occupied campers and other countries so I n'ais not many people played with me for a chance that I have my neighbors. Had we sit with and talk an hour in my city it rains often and it's cold it was not a good summer. In addition my brother is handicapped and it is tiring shouts, imitate, jumps everywhere but I like it because he needs me. I have another brother is delinquent, it is violent. He's only twelve years. I do not give up and I did my best ... Often I am depressed but I always say that a weight on your shoulders is heavy when I try to get released. Since it is my teacher who accepts me and believes in me that every day the world tells me I am extraordinary I am the white light and I am unable to hurt anyone. it's true there are people who do not deserve that I support. There are people who treat me badly and I do something I'd done for me revenge. even if they would make the sentence but it does not matter what the feelings are human then you must follow the heart are its soul. You must have the courage to love I love the world I Remec all that is good or bad. Share the light made the spring from your heart. If we can all share this light without hatred or revenge we
can be stronger
Noémie Beauchamp 15 years xxx