Grief biz

Today I came across a posting.  Someone was offering an activity related to grief support.  And I was interested, and I looked for more details, and I was glad that somebody was doing something about grief.

And then I saw that they were charging for it.

I have done this type of activity, in support of grief, both here, and in other places.  I have tried to help people using this very activity.  And I have tried to implement other activities, in support of those who are grieving and bereaved.  Occasionally someone has asked me how much I am charging.  I always find this question a bit insulting.  I am not charging for any of it.  I am not only doing volunteer work for organizations around here, but I'm doing a lot of other things as well, on a volunteer basis, and not charging, and not expecting to make any money out of it.  I am not in the business of profiting off other people's pain.

And, as I said, I am always a bit insulted when people ask how much I am charging.  I know how much pain I am in, and I know that others must be in pain as well.  I am trying to help.  I am not trying to make money off of other people's pain.  I am not trying to build a business on the backs of other people who are in distress.

I am, as I said, insulted by the question.  But I'm getting to expect it.  So many people seem to expect that I am starting a business.  And other people, who are doing things that are similar to things that I am doing, do seem to expect to build a business, or status, or some other way some other means of enhancing their lives, instead of just trying to help people who are in difficulty.  In our society, they are probably correct.  When I say that I'm not charging for what I'm doing, people react suspiciously.  They keep looking for the scam.  Mercenary, they can understand.

But it's still really hurts every time I see a fresh example that a lot of people are in it for the money.  Or the status.  Or the social position.  Or empire building, even if it is a tiny little empire.

And every time it's just one more pebble added to the pile labeled, "I have reasons that I seriously wish I was dead."