KNOW YOUR WORTH

I love to sing. I would do it for nothing. That's how much I love it and thank God for it. 

I love to hear good singing/music, too. There's nothing like the sound of your voice blended with the voices of others. Instruments blending with other instruments. I love harmony. I am still, however, trying to find the harmony between what I love to do and the business of it. Sometimes it's great--especially when dealing with honest people who respect not only you, but what you do. 

There are those who fully understand the importance and relevance of Art and support it in a manner that sustains it. There is another element that sees the Art that others create as a means for them to get paid with negotiable tender, while the artist feeds on exposure. 

There is an element that assumes and feeds on an artist's desperation to be exposed to a buying public, but it has no regard whatsoever for the artist or their work. It's evident in the manner in which they speak, the arrangements they make. It's the show they care about and the extent to which they will profit. The people in it are incidentals.

Every time someone hands me a check for singing, it STILL feels odd. I'm a part of the "reasonable service" generation, but I've evolved somewhat. I realize I like to eat and pay my bills on time just like other folk do. 

It amazes me how people will go all out for everything from napkins to printing to sound, but always want to stiff the musicians and singers, or expect them to work for free. Once again, creditors want negotiable tender, NOT chicken tenders--or sheet cake, corsages, certificates, pizza, mini trophies, floral arrangements, meatballs, gift bags, or red punch. 

What's with the cons? The worst person in the world for a con to deal with is someone who can see right through them. They go from nice and smooth to stuttering, belligerent, and condescending in a matter of seconds when they realize they're not dealing with an idiot. Some folks have convinced themselves that you need what they have to offer and you have been sitting around waiting for it. There are slicksters who want to line their pockets at your expense and by way of your labor. They'll drop words like "ministry" and "non-profit" and "small organization" and "don't have a lot of money" because they think you're gullible. It's the kind of behavior that gives legitimate charities a bad name. 

What makes folk think you aren't charitable with your time, talent and resources on a regular basis? Is it because of their perception of what they think you have? What makes people think you don't need to be paid for your work? Would THEY go to THEIR job and announce to their boss that they will be working for nothing, or not enough to support themselves or their families?

People talk a good game and don't realize you are google-ing them as they speak. When they find out you DO have mechanisms in place to handle your affairs, they get antsy. They want to deal with you because they think you're a pushover. They want to make you feel as if they're doing you a favor. Somehow they think you will never do what you do ever again in life if you don't accept their offer. Do they have a clue how much you love what you do? They'll try to school you about things you've been a part of for years. They'll drop names, too, as if you don't personally know the people they are talking about. Do people know how easily information can be gathered these days?
Dare to stand up for yourself; know your worth, and all of a sudden you're "not all that". They seem to forget--you didn't contact them, have encountered people like them before, and won't lose any sleep over the conversation. They forget, THEY CONTACTED YOU. They may not see it, but what it will cost you to participate could be better utilized to handle your own needs, might leave you in the red, or could be better used to meet the legitimate need of someone else.
Be wise. Never be that pressed to do anything. Keep learning. Don't be discouraged. All business is not bad. Sometimes, you have to say, "No". 

Now, let the users and slicksters and opportunists go on and call someone else who just may be even more fed up with foolishness than you are. Wait. Hear the phone ring? Go on. Answer it, and don't be the jerk you have every right to be. Accept their apology and listen to them deal with you respectfully, honestly, fairly--the way they forgot how to in the first place. Maybe it was your assignment to show them how to deal with people so that they will never be arrogant, too familiar, pushy and deceitful again when it comes to the respectable work, time, effort, and talent of another human being. 

Don't ever allow anyone to diminish you. or make your livelihood their hobby. Be reasonable. Don't price yourself out of existence, but know your worth. Be the cheerful giver that God loves, but don't be a sucker.