August 29, 2002
I’m working on a new idea over at Another Girl at Play. Shortly there will be a charity mug for sale and on it will be the Another Girl Logo, the site’s name and web address. Money raised from sales will go to charities related to art.
I had this idea for a while, but resisted acting on it until I was 100% sure how to proceed and had the support of all the women on the site. Both things have happened as well as another interesting bit.
Most of the women on the site said that while they thought this was a fabulous idea, I should be pocketing the money made. I had a hard time with that thought for a few reasons.
For starters, the site has touched so many people and continues to be a huge source of inspiration for so many. I have a hard time thinking of it as “my site” despite the fact I created and maintain it. It’s the women who participated that me the site what it is – I just put the code together and shout out a monthly newsletter. I didn’t want to make money based on other people’s efforts or make money on something that wasn’t solely mine.
I also didn’t want to take money because I felt that defeated the purpose. The site can do something for other people, financially speaking. If a lot of money is raised it can be turned into art scholarships, help people start art based businesses or just be donated to art charities. I didn’t want to take away from the giving or the power that creating something like that had. I felt it selfish to take when you’re trying to give.
When I shared these concerns with others, I kept hearing the same thing over and over:
Your time is valuable. Your efforts are valuable. You are valuable.
Hearing that message repeated over and over, I knew that my views had been all or nothing; either I make all the money based on something only I do or I give all the money away despite the fact I put in effort. I realised that my thinking was not only wrong, but not doing anyone any good. So I found balance.
I can give back while taking in, and really that’s how things should be done. Energy needs to move and by taking in and giving out, I’m creating some kind of cycle, a balance if you will.
I decided that to retain a small portion of the sales – money to cover site maintenance, hosting fee’s and my time put in. The rest of the money will go to places where it’s needed, places that get art into people’s hands.
Learning to be OK with receiving money when I’d happily do something for free is a learning experience. Taking money for writing articles is one thing, taking money for doing something worthwhile like Another Girl is another – but I have to. It’s just a matter of valuing yourself and time. If I keep telling others to do it, I should be able to as well.