Freely vs Free
Gratis Vs Sin Reservaspor Thuy Nguyen
Hoy, después de haber recibido acupuntura durante mi turno de trabajo basado en donaciones, un paciente me preguntó porqué estaba “regalando” tratamientos tan increíbles de manera gratuita. “¿No valoras tus habilidades?”, preguntó. “¿No quieres que otros valoren también tus habilidades? ¿No quieres que otros te muestren respeto pagándote lo que te mereces?” Entonces ella vio mi expresión de perplejidad y añadió, “oh, ya veo que estás intentando arreglar el mundo. Estás intentando ayudar a las personas necesitadas porque les falta algo. Eso es bueno para ti.” Ella esperaba una respuesta, pero yo estaba sin palabras. Había tanto jugo en lo que me había dicho que no supe por dónde empezar, así que en vez de eso, incliné mi cabeza ligeramente para asentir. Ella sonrió, deposito $5 dólares en nuestra caja para el dinero y se fue. He estado pensando en lo que dijo desde entonces.
Hago lo que hago y siento que no hay una cantidad de dinero concreta que pudiera corresponder a lo que tengo que ofrecer. Ni $5 dólares, ni $5000. Porque lo que tengo que ofrecer no es cuantificable. Me ofrezco a mí misma y eso no solo se refleja en mi práctica de Medicina China, sino también en como gestiono mi negocio. Todo esto es una consecuencia de la evolución de mi pensamiento sobre medicina y salud a lo largo de los últimos 16 años y sobre cómo quiero influir y ser influida por el mundo en el que vivo. Es un reflejo de mi entendimiento de la salud y de las conexiones que tenemos un@s con otr@s.
Mi práctica refleja mi fe en la abundancia, la confianza y la conexión que es posible en el mundo en el que vivimos y mi fe en las profundas capacidades sanadoras de la Medicina China. Estoy absorbida por su simplicidad, su suavidad, su humildad, su accesibilidad, su profundidad y su sanar silencioso. Me siento alentado (especialmente en éste momento y con ésta edad) por ser capaz de proveer un ambiente dónde 5 extraños pueden tumbarse juntos para dormir la siesta, relajarse y sanarse junt@s. Y estoy impresionada de que día tras día, la gente venga sólo para hacer eso. Eso es confianza, eso es sanación.
Desde mi entendimiento, el valor y el precio toman en consideración perspectivas muy diferentes. Es sólo por mi manera de entender el valor profundo que tiene lo que hago que lo ofrezco sin reservas, libremente. No gratis, sin reservas (not for free, freely). No hago esto para arreglar un mundo roto o para dar a personas necesitadas. El mundo no está roto, lo que la gente puede o no puede necesitar está por encima de mi comprensión. Estoy haciendo esto simplemente porque es la expresión más natural de en quién me he convertido, de quién soy.
--Thuy Nguyen es una acupuntora licenciada y madres de tres niños preciosos. Berkeley Community Acupuncture representa la culminación de su amor por la Medicina China, su compromiso con su familia y su comunidad y su deseo de generar un cambio social positivo. Es también una profesional del Qigong. Éste artículo está en su blog. [Lectura escogida de Awakin. El comic creativo de arriba por Dharma Comics ;-)]
Thuy Nguyen is a licensed acupuncturist and mother of three wonderful children. Berkeley Community Acupuncture represents a culmination of her love of Chinese medicine, her commitment to family and community, and her desire to effect positive social change. She is a certified Medical Qigong Practitioner and this article is reprinted from her blog. ​
SEED QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: What do you make of the distinction between freely and free? Can you share a personal experience of a time when you were able to give freely from a space of abundance? What is a practice that helps you stay rooted in abundance, regardless of the monetary system you engage with?
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15 Past Reflections
On Sep 8, 2022 John Ross wrote :
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On Jun 26, 2020 Nanda wrote :
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On Jul 18, 2017 Atul Sahu wrote :
What a beautiful article and answer to my quest to know, Who am i and what am I doing. Now i can say that what i am doing is the "most natural expression of who I’ve become and of who I am." Thank you
1 reply: Margaret | Post Your Reply
On Oct 30, 2016 Greg Acuna wrote :
Beautiful and thought provoking. I'll be enjoying this throughout my day...and hopefully life.
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On Jan 30, 2015 Norma wrote :
Beautifully said. Thank you for finding the words to express what I have not been able to. I too like to give freely and my motives have been questioned. Your well articulated understanding helps me find the words to understand myself. Thank you again.
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On Jan 29, 2015 drjustin wrote :
In my personal philosophy, "free" connotes the law. What is mandated by 'law' to be free, e.g. food stamp, bus ticket, etc. as mandated by either law or other eligibility criteria. Whereas, "freely" means availability as needed.
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On Jan 27, 2015 paashi wrote :
My thoughts , emotion and occasionally action flow freely when the I'm not confined with the give and take practicality of everyday life. when the heart is un constricted and in a natural state of being part of the wholeness, then the flow of life moves freely towards others.
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On Jan 27, 2015 Always Love wrote :
A beautiful sharing! I am thankful for your free gift!
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On Jan 27, 2015 Deneen wrote :
This is a very powerful reminder. If only politicians realized the power in giving freely instead of just giving for free. I read a quote by Jimmy Carter about this the other day about different parties claiming to be Christian based and yet yelling loudly when tax money goes to programs for the needy. If we all just gave freely without expecting, our world would be a much different place!
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On Jan 27, 2015 Annette wrote :
I spend two days a month holding hands at a clinic for women/girls who are going through abortions. I wipe their tears and I love each and every one of them. They often thank me but it is me who is grateful to them for allowing me to be there to comfort them during this emotional/physical trying time in their lives. What I get out of this is the pure balance I need in life as I work in retail which has it's own 'sufferings' to deal with.
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On Jan 27, 2015 Kristin Pedemonti wrote :
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On Jan 26, 2015 Jyoti wrote :
So beautifully expressed. I had a similar exchange at work today when someone I work with made comments that were so far away from how I think and behave - that I was completely dumb-struck. I realized that we approach the world very differently. I paused. I accepted that the interaction was meant to teach me something that I needed to learn. I talked with someone who shared my values. It helped to heal the hurt I felt from being put down for my being. I found the courage to walk the path I was on, even if I had to go alone. I spoke my truth. I thanked the person for their candid feedback and said what I was going to do and why. I know I do not need her acceptance or approval, and I do not need for her to see the world the same way as I do. I am happy to have clarity on my choices, and that is a blessing. It frees me.
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On Jan 25, 2015 david doane wrote :
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