How Much Is Enough?

  There is the old story of the cargo ship, loaded up and ready to leave port. A tight deadline for delivery means there is pressure to get going. However, despite all preparations and regular servicing of the engines there is a problem. The ship's engineer and maintenance crew are working overtime to get to the root of why the main engine will not start. All to no avail.
  Eventually an emergency call is made to 'Old Joe' retired for years but fortunately still living near the port. He duly appears and spends a little time walking around the engine room. As if he is listening with his hands, he moves gently and calmly, occasionally stroking the engine. After only a few moments he stops, takes a small hammer out of his pocket and lightly taps the engine. Within seconds it roars into life. Old Joe smiles. The crew celebrate!
  Asked the price of his handiwork Old Joe replies £2,020. There is a stunned silence... "but it only took you 5 minutes, how can you dare to charge so much?" Old Joe smiles "Well, I am happily retired and didn't need the work that is certain. I only live a short distance away so I though I might as well help out and for that I am only charging £20. However, I have spent a life time honing my expertise and as you see I am the only one who had the knowledge to know what to do, exactly where to tap and the skill to know exactly how hard to tap. For that I am charging £2,000."
  Unlike many of us, Old Joe recognised and acknowledged his worth and despite questioning and opposition he retained his strong sense of self-esteem. In our world which measures success and value purely on the numerical basis of monetary transactions, it is vital to remember that so many of our skills have taken a life time (or maybe many) to aquire. Just because you can do something doesn't mean you should always offer for free. I have been 'guilty' of this over the years as have many of my friends. Those who wish to be more 'spiritual' often disregard their own well being and ability to survive by putting themselves in a position of enslavement to the need to please. If we are to continue to give then there also has to be some take! Balance (whether a bank balance or otherwise) is essential to good health and a happy life.