When Your Career Isn't Your Passion

As an opening observation, all life is important.

From the greatest in size, the greatest in intellect… down to the smallest microbe, the single-celled creatures, the viruses and bacteria.

All life forms a tapestry, each single life a thread, every single life important.

Every time a life is lost, a thread is pulled; and when a whole species is removed there is a threadbare patch left because with the species gone… there can be no renewal of the threads which have been pulled.

The whole tapestry of life is looking rather threadbare since the rise of our own species to dominance and it need not be the case. Our intelligence gives us choices and we can choose to nurture nature, to care for life, to respect even living things which can hurt us or that we might find repulsive.

For me life's about filling all the spare moments with anything that is likely to make a difference; even though on the large scale, the world won't notice. Sometimes it's just a few of the right words of encouragement said to someone who needs it, other times it's volunteering time to an individual or to a community organization. I love doing volunteer work with people who feel the same way as I do. I love making even a small difference, after all my place is small in this world and I don't need to be great or noticed to help… each of us can contribute in our own way.

My paid work supports all the activities that nurture my sense of place in the world, all the things I do just so I can feel good. I love the work itself too…it gives me a sense of belonging to a second family. A lot of the time I am like "poly-filler," I bridge gaps and provide support. In turn, the money I earn supports me in my other life, the life I live for the love, not for the money.

Here, in Australia, The RSPCA (The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), depends hugely on the service of volunteers. Even during a time when I had no paid work, most days still found me working as a volunteer with animals at the local RSPCA refuge, and participating on a Companion Animal Committee for the Local Government of our town.

Even though I only have a unit with a courtyard out the back and some common ground at the side and front at my disposal, I grow a garden with local shrubs and small trees and plants for our local wild birds. I was very excited one warm weekend when I found a baby skink lizard in our bathroom because it means the little native lizards like my garden and are breeding, so I am quite proud of my efforts.

I sometimes feel like a magnet for lost or hurt creatures and quite frequently have dealings with things I am slightly fearful of, like spiders… and other things that bite. Most of the animals who come to me for help are returned to their rightful homes, either in the wild, or with their own people. They are all our fellow creatures, they have a place in this world and it isn't our right to end their existence out of fear or repulsion, individually or as a species.

Remember that helping others, will in turn help your own well-being. I happen to enjoy helping people to recognize the great value in nurturing the other lives in their lives, whether they are the children, the pets, or both. I try to help them see how special their own families are.

I am 42 years old and although I have no children of my own, my need to nurture need not be denied as there are the children of siblings and friends to nurture and love. A wealth of animal life and the environment needed to support all life, also needs nurturing. Giving your time and effort to helping any way you can, will in turn enrich your existence. It isn't about the money you make at what you do, but what you can achieve with it that will bring happiness.

To receive, first you need to give. Shona Steele

By Shona Steele