Wonderful Sabrina. Once again so insightful and err right on the money (sorry!).
Once again, what you’re doing here reminds me of the Buddhist practice of giving intention to something to allow its true nature to reveal itself. And you’ve shown money isn’t this fearsome force, it’s an idea, an energy, even a plaything. It’s a healthy reframing and reminder I can certainly use. Thank u!
Woah! A million thanks for writing this, Sabrina. 🙏 I wish school had taught me this about money or you were my teacher. But I'm glad to have found this. Love the wealth of values collage — it's a great gratitude exercise and framework to visualize our values.
You’re so welcome Hassan! I too wish we had been taught about it more in school. But we’re here to teach each other and it’s never too late too learn! If you end up making a “values collage”, would love to see it!
We all need this reminder from time to time, as the myth of the starving artists is still in the air. You're a real Lynne Twist fan! :) I discovered her a few years ago, thanks for reminding me of her quote "what you appreciate appreciates".
As I just finished a book from Sri Aurobindo, it was also nice to dive into the non dual view as he expresses that money is as valuable as spirit, that money is neither good or bad and totally part of a conscious path (indeed, nothing is separate). My conviction is that we as artists have also to untangle ourselves from these stereotypes around art, creation, work, and value. Empowering ourselves gently but firmly by honoring our work. I'm glad you made the step to the paid content, it's just totally normal...
One thing that really helped me through the years was to hear a business coach emphasizing on the fact that it was totally okay if people could never afford for her services, maybe one day they will but until that, she had no guilt because she knew she was offering much value for free. We have to check that and realize all that we already give for free... just as we also receive much for free !
Money is energy, abundance is energy. Your origami is fun! I did quite the same with touching bills in order to replace old beliefs...
Thanks so much Marion for that thoughtful comment! I’m totally a Lynne Twist fan 😊 reading her book last year changed my beliefs on money so much! I look forward to checking out Sri Aurobindo, thanks for that recommendation. And I totally agree, I think artists are complicit in devaluing ourselves. Trying to change that, starting with me! 😉
Loved this! I, too, have struggled to make my written work "paid", but with time I realized that there IS value here and that people often *want* to pay for the work I create. I am so grateful to substack for creating a fruitful, community-driven way to monetize!
I’m sure the “starving artist” myth also applies to health workers too. And yet both groups have so much value to offer! Substack is definitely changing that and I’m so grateful for it 🙌
"I used to think that dissociating currency from creativity was a way to keep art pure and my self-worth untethered to money. But it actually reinforces a cycle of devaluation. It restricts art and artists from participating in a system of exchange, reciprocity and appreciation. "
This is SO on the money. Pardon the pun. I'm delighted that I've come across your Substack today from a happy bit of congruence in Notes-land.
Great thoughts on art. I have been thinking about this lately. I once heard a story of a graphic artist that designed a logo that took him only minutes to make. He charged the client and they responded, “What, but it only took you 15 minutes!” He responded something to the effect, that he was able to do so due to many years of training and practice. We are also paying for one’s time and effort out into developing a craft.
I agree. Music can be easily streamed, we can watch videos on YouTube and various platforms and sometimes its sense of ubiquity distorts our perception of value. Hours upon hours have been put into developing crafts. World without aesthetics is a world less bright.
Yes! I’ve heard that anecdote too - and it reminds me of a modern version of the Picasso story when a woman complained of being charged 500 francs for a doodle that took him 5 minutes to make and he responded something along the same lines -- that a lifetime of work enabled him to make it so fast!
I was actually thinking about that... I’m not sure they have a scent anymore. I hardly ever use cash, but I will check next time I get some and let you know!
Great post Sabrina! I too am now thinking of going paid. That has meant that i'm rethinking my whole substack. To get paid means to up my game and give much more value. Thanks for the prompt. I've also just bought Lynne Twist's book.
Aug 31, 2023·edited Aug 31, 2023Liked by Kenshō studio
Thanks, Sabrina. (One of my favorite things about this August has been two full moons.)
My riches are the lilt of a Hermit Thrush and the fruit-punch flavor of a serviceberry. Even so, to the extent that it reflects genuine value, how sad that money has been so abused and misdirected. Why is so much of what’s real and sacred in the world — music, art, literature, nature, love — so poorly compensated? Why does so much artifice brings riches? After all, whose job is more vital? A lawyer’s or a babysitter’s. A politician’s or a hospital nurse’s.
So, for what you create for us on the full moons, I welcome with gratitude ... and my money.
Aww thanks Bryan! Most of my riches come in other forms than money - but I’m now welcoming that as well as a source of appreciation 🫶💰 thanks so much for your support, now and every full moon 🌕! Ps: supporters like you are in for some very special treats coming up soon ;)
This was brilliant, Sabrina! I especially loved this: "It’s also an act of rebellion against the systems that perpetuate the “starving artist” myth." Yes!! It's just another one of those tired myths that needs to die.
Substack has been such an interesting experience for me because it has forced me to think about my work in relation to money--and I realize, I should have been doing that all along!
Wonderful Sabrina. Once again so insightful and err right on the money (sorry!).
Once again, what you’re doing here reminds me of the Buddhist practice of giving intention to something to allow its true nature to reveal itself. And you’ve shown money isn’t this fearsome force, it’s an idea, an energy, even a plaything. It’s a healthy reframing and reminder I can certainly use. Thank u!
I’m so glad to hear it’s helping you reframe your relationship to money too! May we all tap into a spirit of sufficiency 🫶
Woah! A million thanks for writing this, Sabrina. 🙏 I wish school had taught me this about money or you were my teacher. But I'm glad to have found this. Love the wealth of values collage — it's a great gratitude exercise and framework to visualize our values.
You’re so welcome Hassan! I too wish we had been taught about it more in school. But we’re here to teach each other and it’s never too late too learn! If you end up making a “values collage”, would love to see it!
Thanks for giving me the power to do this! Will share it soon. 🙏
We all need this reminder from time to time, as the myth of the starving artists is still in the air. You're a real Lynne Twist fan! :) I discovered her a few years ago, thanks for reminding me of her quote "what you appreciate appreciates".
As I just finished a book from Sri Aurobindo, it was also nice to dive into the non dual view as he expresses that money is as valuable as spirit, that money is neither good or bad and totally part of a conscious path (indeed, nothing is separate). My conviction is that we as artists have also to untangle ourselves from these stereotypes around art, creation, work, and value. Empowering ourselves gently but firmly by honoring our work. I'm glad you made the step to the paid content, it's just totally normal...
One thing that really helped me through the years was to hear a business coach emphasizing on the fact that it was totally okay if people could never afford for her services, maybe one day they will but until that, she had no guilt because she knew she was offering much value for free. We have to check that and realize all that we already give for free... just as we also receive much for free !
Money is energy, abundance is energy. Your origami is fun! I did quite the same with touching bills in order to replace old beliefs...
Thanks for sharing.
Thanks so much Marion for that thoughtful comment! I’m totally a Lynne Twist fan 😊 reading her book last year changed my beliefs on money so much! I look forward to checking out Sri Aurobindo, thanks for that recommendation. And I totally agree, I think artists are complicit in devaluing ourselves. Trying to change that, starting with me! 😉
Loved this! I, too, have struggled to make my written work "paid", but with time I realized that there IS value here and that people often *want* to pay for the work I create. I am so grateful to substack for creating a fruitful, community-driven way to monetize!
I’m sure the “starving artist” myth also applies to health workers too. And yet both groups have so much value to offer! Substack is definitely changing that and I’m so grateful for it 🙌
"I used to think that dissociating currency from creativity was a way to keep art pure and my self-worth untethered to money. But it actually reinforces a cycle of devaluation. It restricts art and artists from participating in a system of exchange, reciprocity and appreciation. "
This is SO on the money. Pardon the pun. I'm delighted that I've come across your Substack today from a happy bit of congruence in Notes-land.
I’m glad that resonated! It was such a HUGE realization for me and it’s still taken so much time to change that deeply ingrained belief!
Great thoughts on art. I have been thinking about this lately. I once heard a story of a graphic artist that designed a logo that took him only minutes to make. He charged the client and they responded, “What, but it only took you 15 minutes!” He responded something to the effect, that he was able to do so due to many years of training and practice. We are also paying for one’s time and effort out into developing a craft.
I agree. Music can be easily streamed, we can watch videos on YouTube and various platforms and sometimes its sense of ubiquity distorts our perception of value. Hours upon hours have been put into developing crafts. World without aesthetics is a world less bright.
Yes! I’ve heard that anecdote too - and it reminds me of a modern version of the Picasso story when a woman complained of being charged 500 francs for a doodle that took him 5 minutes to make and he responded something along the same lines -- that a lifetime of work enabled him to make it so fast!
This is such a wonderful post. And even though I’m in the UK, I love the smell of $ and would love to smell that fragrance.
Thanks Keris! I love that you’re into the smell of US dollars 💵 - how do you feel about the scent of UK pounds??
I was actually thinking about that... I’m not sure they have a scent anymore. I hardly ever use cash, but I will check next time I get some and let you know!
Great post Sabrina! I too am now thinking of going paid. That has meant that i'm rethinking my whole substack. To get paid means to up my game and give much more value. Thanks for the prompt. I've also just bought Lynne Twist's book.
the origami money outfits!?!? soooo good!
Thanks Ani! I’ll make one for you when you come to LA! 😘
Thanks, Sabrina. (One of my favorite things about this August has been two full moons.)
My riches are the lilt of a Hermit Thrush and the fruit-punch flavor of a serviceberry. Even so, to the extent that it reflects genuine value, how sad that money has been so abused and misdirected. Why is so much of what’s real and sacred in the world — music, art, literature, nature, love — so poorly compensated? Why does so much artifice brings riches? After all, whose job is more vital? A lawyer’s or a babysitter’s. A politician’s or a hospital nurse’s.
So, for what you create for us on the full moons, I welcome with gratitude ... and my money.
Aww thanks Bryan! Most of my riches come in other forms than money - but I’m now welcoming that as well as a source of appreciation 🫶💰 thanks so much for your support, now and every full moon 🌕! Ps: supporters like you are in for some very special treats coming up soon ;)
This was brilliant, Sabrina! I especially loved this: "It’s also an act of rebellion against the systems that perpetuate the “starving artist” myth." Yes!! It's just another one of those tired myths that needs to die.
Substack has been such an interesting experience for me because it has forced me to think about my work in relation to money--and I realize, I should have been doing that all along!
Really, really loved this post. Thank you!
Thank you Jillian! Our email correspondence from a few months ago about “going paid” prompted a lot of these thoughts!
Great post! Love your collage.
Thank you Virginia 💛 It was really helpful to reflect on my values and it was fun to make!