Whenever I have mentioned freely using my Universe-given skills and talents to help other people, whether in a spiritual sense or a business sense with web design and tech, I'm never surprised to get reactions from people who think doing anything for people for free is ridiculous, especially people who value money over all things.
I've had several successful businesses, retired early, and I started out giving away my services to people who needed them especially in the early online days.
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I believed, and still do, that there is tremendous value in helping other achieve their dreams and goals if you have the ability to.
This doesn't mean that I don't have boundaries. My boundary is very clearly drawn: disrespect and rudeness.
My time, my experience, and my skillset is very valuable. If I'm offering it for free it's because I WANT to ... if someone disrespects me then I walk away and the loss becomes theirs, not mine.
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My cost is time, effort, and energy which I wouldn't give freely if I didn't have it. Losing that isn't huge ... I'd be doing something else with my time, effort, and energy either way. I'd rather use it for something that benefits others but if someone is going to be disrespectful then hell no.
I'm always amazed to see people lose thousands of dollars of quality tech work because they have no idea how to respect someone. It seems so simple ... and yet ... many people can't manage it.
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Many companies would rather pay someone who they then know they can mistreat, than get work for free from someone who they have to respect.
When I first started in web design - this was maybe 2006 or 2007 - a young kid needed a website for his custom sneaker design business. BRILLIANT artist, neat designs, super young kid.
My team and I created an epic website, logo, paid for his domain and hosting ... all for free because I believed in him and I loved his passion. I just told him to design me a great pair of sneakers (which he did) and to do for others when he grew up.
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This dude grew into an AMAZING man, father, and businessman. A powerful and dedicated social and political advocate ... and I found out recently that when I met him he'd just gotten out of a short jail sentence. I had no idea.
He said that what we did for him changed his life and allowed him to see his dreams realized. We gave him a chance that he never thought anyone would give him. He has made his life about "doing for others" ever since.
You never know whose life you will change.
I will never change my stance on doing for others ... on giving freely of my skills when I can for people who genuinely need it. Money has never been what my life's purpose was about ...
Boundaries are important when you want to give of yourself to others in business or personally. Make sure you have clear ones and don't compromise them for anyone ... but GIVE when you have it in you to GIVE.
You can change lives.
On the flip side ... it doesn't take much to destroy someone's life either.
An unkind word at the wrong moment in someone's life ...
Everything - negative or positive - has a weight. Every action you take is kinetic.
Think about the kind of person you want to be and the kind of energy you want to put out into the world.
What kind of influence do you want to have ...
@thewebrecluse That is wonderful! Thank you for sharing.
@Myana It's funny because I never knew what happened to that kid until recently ... it turns out my brother knew him from his work as a social worker. This guy is someone my brother greatly admires for all the community and political work he does and the dude is like ... "that's your sister? omg she changed my life ..." It was nice to see what he'd become ❤️ and to be remembered so positively.
@thewebrecluse I can assure you, it is so easy to give, so seldom given, but so transforming when offered.
Thanks for being you.✨💖
@nopuppet_007 ❤️ thank you for your kind response
I've mentioned this before, but I gained this perspective early on.
Growing up in a horribly abusive household, if it wasn't for people giving me their time and energy or a place to escape to and have a different view of life, I probably wouldn't have survived or grown into someone remotely healthy.
All of the adults who did little positive things for me made a huge difference in my life.
It doesn't take much to change someone's life, even a seemingly small gesture can be huge for someone.