Good ting no cheap

This morning while scrolling down my Facebook Newsfeed, I met SEVERAL comments from various Friends in different circumstances, all talking about how their work is undervalued. I know I have spoken about this before, but this plague of cheapness must have an end somewhere.
What is it about the mentality of our people, that they cannot and will not give appreciation to creativity and Arts?

A young man, Steven Taylor has to plead on a vlog about his stifled dreams to go to USC, but cannot access support.
 http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151625421576719&set=vb.514121718&type=2&theater
You know, if or when he does go, and becomes a big movie producer, every Carnival he'll be invited back home to jump on a truck while the mega phones sound his name and people cheer that he's a hero. He'll be written up about in every publication. He would be awarded medals and have stadia and theatres named after him.

I quote a young woman's status that i saw this morning
 "Oh you find my prices are high do you? Well next time bring your own hairpins, moisturizer, shampoo, conditioner, (all of which cost no less than 10 USD EACH, cuz unlike some other hairdressers, I don't mix squeezy, lime and Pantene to make shampoo) COLD PRESSED hair oils, electricity, hooded hairdryer, water, basin, chair, comb, brush, hairclips, hairpins, cape and sink and you get the service for FREE!" 

How is it that people do not see the time, effort and capital invested into beauty treatments? What do you think people spend on a haircut in Italy, or Los Angeles? Often, the technicians we have here were trained in the same schools, but they must come here and be subject to people's cheapness? How do you put a price on time, care and conversation? Aside from the expertise in a field of beauty (which is the result of hours of training and practice  not to mention thousands of dollars of investment in education and tools) you are paying for a person's time, that they are spending to comfort you, listen to you share about your life, and for the time that they are with you, they are a friend! If you had to pay your friends their worth in dollars and cents, how much would you give them?

I saw a comment today that said "Every has Positivity but NOBODY has money..."

What price do you put on looking your best? How much will you pay to feel inspired to live a more meaningful life? What monetary equivalent is there, that makes you a perfect role model to your daughter, that she can go to school and say that her mother or father is the most patient, loving parent of all? What would you spend to have warmth spread through your veins, the way it does when the theatre lights dim and the orchestra music fills the hall?

The creative industry is not built on tangible products. We cannot give you a box with a smile you can glue on your face. We're sorry, but the hairstyles are not ready-made so that you may attach with Velcro. I wish, but it is unfortunate, that we don't have a pill that would give you the instant gratification that hours of research and care would. Instead, we give you ourselves. We can only offer our passion and love for what we do. We are limited to our words, hands and experiences.

Next time you purchase a custom-made dress, think about the sleepless nights that went into the hand-stitched detail. Think about the hours of careful draping that went into mimicking the unique curves of your body.

Next time you read one of those inspirational memes about picking up the pieces and going on with your life, think about the hardships that the writer had to overcome to be able to share with you the fruit of their drudgery.

When people spend their life devoted to improving the quality of yours, let ME tell you something. IT IS PRICELESS.

The most important thought I want to leave you with today is that paying for these kinds of services in not just to put money in someone's pocket, but it is an investment in yourself. Each of these professionals, is working to make YOU a better person. So, are YOU worth it?