It’s Actually a Gift
My all-time favorite band, Twenty One Pilots, just released a live album a few days ago. Upon the news of this upcoming release, thousands of fans flooded social media and began throwing shade:
"All they care about is making money!"
"Look at them ripping people off again."
"Always trying to sell something."
As for me, I couldn't wait to purchase this new album. Why? I am receiving it as a gift; their gift to the world. I will happily fork over a little cash for the right, privilege, and honor of listening to this beautiful concert over and over and over again for decades. What a gift!!!!
Our culture is so quick to demonize business. Movie ticket prices? Scam. The price of a latte at a local coffee shop? Highway robbery. A package of beautifully marbled steaks? Greedy farmers! The fee for our tax professional to prepare and file our annual taxes? A racket.
On the flip side, I view each of these as gifts. Enjoying the magic of the movies is a gift. Savoring a wonderfully crafted coffee is a gift. Grilling up some juicy steaks is a gift. Having a trusted tax professional to advocate for me is a gift. Sure, I pay for each of these, but what I receive in return is a gift. That's what business is supposed to feel like.
When we spend money on things that truly add value to our lives, that's a gift. We shouldn't spend money on something and then immediately lament how we were taken advantage of. Instead, we should lean into our values by spending money on things that are truly valuable to US.....then receive the gift for the blessing it is.
This new Twenty One Pilots album is such a gift to me. I couldn't hand over my money fast enough for the right to own a piece of history that I will enjoy for decades to come. It doesn't matter if the artist makes $100 from it or $10,000,000. A gift is a gift, and I'm grateful for it.
As consumers, we should look at our purchase activity through this lens. Business owners, this should also influence how we treat our craft. We're creating a gift that will add value to people's lives. And if we add enough value to enough people's lives, we'll earn the right to make a living carrying this torch. Enjoy the ride and never be ashamed of it. It's an honor, a privilege, and a responsibility.
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