The means to the End

I am in the process of becoming an independent entrepreneur. So I have been handing out my business card with a free offer. As I was handing my card to a prospective customer, the response was:” What’s the catch? You know nothing is free in life.”

Well, the funny thing is, this current offer is actually absolutely free with no strings attached whatsoever. I am legally not allowed to receive any compensation in any shape or form until I am licensed.

But this is of course not about a free offer of a particular service I provide. This is about how people in general get overwhelmed by anyone extending themselves out to them for no reason other than making a connection. There is this suspiciousness that gets so ingrained into us. Probably from hard lessons learned of getting shafted a time or two in our life. It’s not even necessarily a reflection of the other person’s character that they would always expect something in return. You know that “ I wash your hand if you wash mine” mentality that seems so commonplace.

I think people simply aren’t used to having something done for them or given to them without any sort of exchange. But I am not doing business with you when I come to you from this place that connects us all. From one human to another. I come from this place of mutuality that seeks to connect with what I recognize in myself.

If you look at my life, you can easily see how independent I am. But I have never done anything alone. On my own. Neither has anyone of us, no matter what life you are living. If we are willing to see that and are able to admit that is another story. Anyways, there has always been and always will be someone who supports me in some shape or form. I don’t mean financially or materialistically. I mean words of encouragement or kindness. Laughter shared, hugs given or simply paying me attention. There is no dollar amount that can be placed on paying attention to someone. You can literally see people glow when they receive attention. The acknowledgement and validation that yes, I see you, I hear you, I feel you is priceless.