The value of money is the measuring stick that most people
use to rate success. If you are one that is successful then you will have lots
of money in your bank account. If you are good at whatever you do then someone
should pay you lots of money to do it and the better you are at what you do the
higher you should be compensated. And the more financial value you have then
you are able to get or do anything that you want to that requires money.
My belief system is a bit different. I have deemed to value
that every time I accomplish the purpose that I was created for that whether I
get financial remuneration or not that that is success to me. I believe that
God pays back those that sow generously. And many times he pays “in kind” not
dollar for dollar value. Many of my time is spent volunteering at jobs that
other people would never do if they were not getting financial compensation. At other times I have received goods and services
as payment for many of the goods and services that I provide. Many call this a
bartering system.
I was dancing at a Black History month celebration at Vanier
Correction facility for women and was wearing a few African accessories, one of
which was a very special cowry shell belt that had great significance for me. A
friend mentioned my belt and I proceeded to share about the value of the cowry
shell in ancient civilizations such as Africa and how it was as a form of
currency. To wear a belt such as the one
I had on that had an abundance of shells on it meant in those days that I would
have been considered an important wealthy woman.
I proceeded to do our dance presentation with the women that
were being held in Vanier. Our theme and the song we did the choreography to
was the “The color purple” and how it was a sign of wealth and that it was primarily
worn by royalty or people of means and substance. Our dance and my poem was
about the color purple being returned to people of color and also to all people
that find God.
After the dance the co-ordinator gave me a beautiful bouquet
of flowers a gift bag with numerous small trinket items and a card thanking me
for what I do in the prison.
When I was driving home, I picked up my eldest son and after
he saw the items he asked me if I get paid for what I do in Vanier. I told him
that they don’t have a budget so I actually pay to go and volunteer as I cover
all my own expenses. But that they repay me with gifts “in kind”. I was so
thrilled to be appreciated in this manner and began to think about what a
blessing this was. I went home and
promptly displayed my blessings to remind myself of why I do what I do.
After meditating on my answer to him a little further I
realized that the satisfaction that I receive from helping women like these to
have some hope and to be courageous in the midst of very trying circumstances
was actually payment enough.
The following day as I was speaking to the volunteer
co-ordinator at the correctional Facility about my volunteer work as a Doula
for the pregnant women, our conversation drifted to these thoughts that had
been spoken the day prior. As I began to share a few of my experiences with the
women and one in particular that had a full circle moment theme, I began to see
the vast wealth that I possess and how God has repaid me many times over “in
Kind”. I am a wealthy woman, rich beyond measure because of the spiritual cowry
shell belt that I wear around my waist. People in today’s society may not
understand the value of what I possess because they have traded in cowry shells
for dollar bills as a means of value.
But to me every shell on that belt represents a wealth and
success that cannot be quantitative in human logic or reasoning. It defies the
logic and order of our financial world system that says that people provide a
goods or a service and receive a monetary dollar value as payment and if you
have a need for something then you need to have money to pay for it.
My value system says “give and it shall be given to you,
pressed down shaken together and running over, shall men and women give to you”
or “ better is it to give than to receive” . “If you believe then nothing shall
be impossible for you” and “ the just
shall live by faith”.
I have settled this issue but I am still putting it into
real life application as I oppose the system that says that it can’t be done.
Somehow I know that what I believe is truth to me.
