Is it OK to Earn Money from Gratitude?
Well, I hope so - because that’s the plan. If you disagree, read on.
So if you’ve tried Gratitude Buddies, or thought to, and for some reason it didn’t work for you or your buddy, letting me know why is a wonderful gift. So thank you, if you’ve done that. Entrepreneurs thrive (and survive) on feedback.
This is why I really appreciated a conversation with a friend who recently told me her Buddy Journey went awry because her Buddy didn’t feel like someone should make money from gratitude. It violated her principals in some way.
For me, this was good news, because as I said, it helps me understand what’s happening and it also gives me a chance to address this topic. Because I do see where she is coming from… these practices are ancient, they do belong to everyone and you certainly don’t need me or Gratitude Buddies to maintain a gratitude practice.
However, over time, I’ve evolved my feelings about money and how people should and shouldn’t earn it. The advent of the meditation apps gives a good point of comparison. Let me begin by saying, I practiced meditation before there was ever an app, and secondly, I meditate every day and I don’t pay for an app now.
That being said, here are reasons why I think it’s GOOD that people are earning money from them.
1) Apps have mainstreamed meditation - when I began meditating, it was still considered offbeat. I can almost go as far to say that one of the reasons a former (practicing Catholic) boyfriend broke up with me was because he found the fact that I meditated so out in left field. No more! All the formerly closeted meditators are out and part of normal society. :) Moreover, meditation is GOOD for individuals and society as a whole, so it’s wonderful that it’s now part of pop culture.
2) Apps make meditation more accessible - I like to meditate on my own or with music, but many people need a guided meditation to stay focused; apps provide so many options and so much variety, that there is literally something for everyone.
3) There is now lots more FREE content - because meditation apps have become so popular, in turn, there is now many more FREE options available too. You don’t have to buy a subscription, you can find what you want all over the internet. So while you can pay, you certainly don’t have to… apps have increased consumer choice, including free options.
4) Apps provide meaningful work for people - I have spent much of my life looking for work that aligns with my values and I found it (yay!) and I want that for everyone. If we pay people to pillage our planet (and we do), why can’t we pay people who spread love, meditation and/or gratitude? I went to a self-love workshop recently, and I don’t have to pay for self-love, but I certainly don’t mind doing it either. Why? Because it helps me, and that’s what I want gratitude buddies to do too.
5) Earning money is not bad - Money isn’t bad or good. It’s an instrument. What we do with our money and how we channel it can actually make our planet a healthier place. But if we let money amass in the hands of people who are solely self-motivated and keep it out of the hands of people who want to improve the collective - we’re going to have big problems - and guess what, we do! So it’s my belief that we need many people answering the call to earn money in ways that feel aligned, and we all need to support each other on that journey. That is why in my recent, start-up lab, all companies needed to have a social and/or ecological goal.
So for these and probably other reasons - I just can’t think of them at the moment - I feel completely at peace with earning money by making a regular gratitude practice more mainstream and accessible, while hopefully providing a few people with meaningful work.
Much more important to me now is if I am providing added-value. Am I able to make this practice more accessible, meaningful and valuable for people. Do they get more out of it than they do practicing on their own? If so, then I expect Gratitude Buddies will do great. If not, I have to keep working at it until I get there. That’s why your feedback is always appreciated and valued!
That’s all for now!
Money is a sensitive topic for many people, so if you have thoughts, do share them!
