If you're reading this blog, you most likely help people for a living.  And you probably get very little recognition for your good, maybe lifesaving, work.

As someone who helps for a living, you may often feel tired, overwhelmed, confused about what you hear, see and experience during the daily requirements of your work.

Many of the people you help are disadvantaged: either financially, emotionally, cogntively, socially.  They are needy. You are a part of their support team.

You are often with people during their darkest hours.  Grief, loss, suicidal, homicidal, in the ambulance, in the hospital, in prison, removed from home, losing parents, losing a child, losing a spouse, in pain, in crisis, crying, screaming, desperate.

I know how you feel.  I have been in all those places at some point with my clients.

It is rewarding, exhausting, very, very, very important work.

Your work has the potential to be life changing, life saving.  You do the work others can't imagine, don't have the guts to do.  I wish a had a dime for every time someone has said to me, "I could never do what you do." (I'm not sure if that is a compliment…)

And because you work so hard to make other's lives better, you deserve to make a good living.

It is OK to make money helping others.

People pay good money for experiences such as attending sporting events, going to Disney World, buying designer handbags.  You help change lives: They can pay you.

Yes, some people cannot afford much and need help.  You can help them and still make money.  It's not hard, but does require an open mind, open heart and a clear understanding of the value of your skills.

There is no shame in getting paid to do important work.  Making money does not mean you care less, or are out to profit from others' pain.

Making money means you value yourself and your work.  It's ok because the more money you can make, the more people you can help and that is a very good thing.