Daily Prompt – April 5, 2026

I don’t know that there is any job I would do for free. Sure I’ve talked bout reaching the point in life were I don’t need to work and I do it because I want to but I still don’t think I would do it for free. Energy out deserves some form of energy in. Even when we volunteer for something, we are paid in a way. We are paid in karma and we are paid in the goodness it makes us feel to contribute. But if I think of something as a job, I can honestly say I want compensation for that job. That compensation doesn’t have to be money. It can be good and services or other forms of value for the effort and work I do. I think that is something a lot of people don’t understand about organizations that rely on “unpaid” personnel. Many of them, like this group that I camp with regularly are “paid” in free room and board and don’t have to pay entry to the event. Their meals are covered. That is still being paid. Sure they are sacrificing participation in many of the events but that was their choice. They were not forced or coerced. I used to do that job “for free” as in the event requires we all chip in to certain chores or pay a fee to get out of them. It’s how things get done during the event. I did my required amount and then some because I enjoyed it. I was eventually invited to be part of staff and got that free room and board but it wasn’t worth. I felt treated worse not better than when I did it because I wanted to. So now, I don’t do it at all.

I think that is when I learned, I don’t do anything for free. I do it because it brings me enjoyment regardless of the benefits and when that ceases, so do does my desire to do it.