I then remembered a meeting of the Dutch Association of Counselers that I am a member of, where a discussion arose about commercialisation of our profession of counselers. That created a split into two sides: people with a business background like myself (I am also a manager of engineering in a telco), who wanted to run their profession as a business and the "softer" people, more or less inclining towards the opinion that working with people may actually not be for profit.

Later, at an other association of counselers, I have been pleading for productisation of our services in order to be able to attract more business. This caused a similar rupture in the audience, where opponents stated that we as counselers have only ourselves as the asset to "sell", because it is our attitude and background that makes the difference between what we do and what other counselers do. Which is true, but that is not a strong Unique Selling Point towards potential customers...

So why is it that so many people who are into making life better for others have this attitude that money is dirty and anything leading to gaining money is in fact dirty as well? What is wrong with making a living out of dealing with people?

I believe that I need to use all my commercial skills if I want to make a living out of the thing I like doing most: working with people and guiding them through their process of healing and growth. Why should I not make money out of that? I have something to offer to people and if people are willing to pay for it, then that's a fair deal on both sides. And if productisation of my services is a step towards being more successful in what I am doing, even better. Because of who I am, and people will find out as soon as they get to know me, profesionally or privately, you can be sure that I am not on earth to enrich myself but to be part of the community of sentient beings and help that community to grow and come closer to the force out of which all of us came to being. Money is just a means to help that vision come true.