Selectively Juggling

This question has no definitive response, as I see merit and worth in everything from being a cleaner to the Astrophysicist. There is incredible merit, courage, and resilience needed to wake up every morning, knowing that a job is simply a means to an end. It doesn’t meet their ideal dreams or deeper ambitions and goals. What it does do, though, is put food on the table, a roof over their heads. They do it not out of a burning passion but need to survive. I can’t judge someone simply because their career, profession or work doesn’t fit my concept of what ‘good is’. It’s not a one-size-fits-all kind of thing.

I have as much respect, if not more, for someone who has started life from a position of disadvantage, inequality and adversity. Yet they manage to level that uneven-playing field (known as life) by getting an education and finding a job. Life is hard, and it’s much harder for some. I work in the health industry and with many health professionals who have obtained high levels of education. I don’t respect the ‘titles’ as much as I do the journey to achieve them. Ok, so say there were two professionals at work, both with identical roles, say, Senior Specialists; my personal bias would inadvertently lead me to have greater respect for the one who had to overcome adversity and not the one who may have been born into a life of privilege and was following the family tradition. My early experiences of poverty and struggle have left a lasting impact, which I am happy to acknowledge.

I also admire artists, writers, musicians and craftspeople who decide to pursue their dreams and creative passions, trying to carve out a career where financial security isn’t always guaranteed. It can take incredible self-belief, self-compassion and courage to follow your passions. I admire full-time writers; in fact, I envy them, and the same for photographers. I would love to follow my dreams of being a full-time writer and photographer. It may do with lacking that sense of genuine self-belief and capability as an artist. Don’t get me wrong; I love my profession and role; however, it doesn’t fulfil my creative sense of self and subsequent creative needs. However, it is what i studied for, and not to mention most of my life experiences have led me to be better at it than just average.

It is also less about the ‘profession’ deserving admiration and respect per se and more about the person in the role. They deserve respect and admiration if they are ethical and compassionate and act humbly and thoughtfully. If not, then hey, they’re just another person with an ego and too much money, in my books, that doesn’t garner much respect or admiration.

I have incredible admiration for someone who has found their innate passion and gifts and has overcome personal, social, and cultural adversities to achieve what they longed to achieve, whether this be to finish high school and get a licence to drive a truck or attend university to study science, medicine, law, philosophy, politics, teaching etc. I greatly respect and admire those who use their gifts, passions and training to help others reach theirs. I delight in knowing that people can break the cycle of poverty and family cycles of learned behaviour. When they have access to proper support and guidance, it’s easier to make better choices or to have a choice.

My final words are that my respect is based on a person’s struggle or journey to their profession. Yes, it shows my bias and privilege. I am the 8th child of 10; I was the only one of my siblings to complete high school and then go on to university and complete a degree and additional studies. I hope people respect me based on the challenges I have met, not simply because I am an alumnus of a prestigious university and employed in a respected field. Life’s complicated for so many. I respect people’s tenacity to overcome their daily struggles, trying to rise above their social, political, emotional, cognitive, environmental, familial, economic, mental, personal, and cultural challenges.