The Gifts We All Bring

Why every role matters

There’s a simple truth that often goes overlooked in our society: every person has something valuable to contribute. Whether it’s a fry cook who knows exactly when to flip the burgers, a cashier who remembers your name and always greets you with a smile, or a teacher who tirelessly shapes young minds, each individual brings their own unique gift to the table. These roles are essential, but for some reason, society often fails to recognize their true worth.

It’s easy to dismiss certain jobs as "unskilled" or "low-paying" because they don’t fit the traditional ideals of success. But I’ve always believed that real talent and skill can come in many different forms, and it’s time we started acknowledging that. So many of us are drawn to what we love, only to find that it doesn’t pay well enough to support the life we want to live. I saw a comment the other day that really stuck with me: "I wish that what I wanted to do from my heart paid enough." This sentiment is all too familiar. We live in a world where the value of your work isn’t always tied to its impact or the effort you put in, but instead to how society has chosen to rank it.

I’ve seen the reality of undervaluing essential labor in many forms. Workers who deliver groceries, care for our elderly, or provide services that make our lives easier often put in hard work, using their own time, energy, and resources. Yet, these workers are often underpaid, with rates dropping over time, and many customers don’t even recognize the value of the service provided. It’s a harsh reminder that the world doesn’t always reward hard work, talent, or passion, especially when that work doesn’t fit into the mold we’ve been taught to aspire to.

In my years as a labor and delivery nurse, I saw how the emotional and physical labor of healthcare workers is often undervalued. Nurses in specialties like labor and delivery are with their patients every step of the way; monitoring every detail, ensuring safety, and offering emotional support to both the mother and her family. While the doctor, who has an expensive education and is ultimately responsible for the medical outcome, plays a crucial role, it’s often the doctor who gets the credit when the baby is born. The nurse, who spends hours building a relationship with the patient, monitoring for complications, and ensuring a positive outcome, is often barely acknowledged. And unfortunately, the nurse’s pay rarely reflects the intensity of the work involved.

Why does this happen? Why are people’s gifts so often overlooked, especially when those gifts play such an important role in our communities? I’ve come to realize that part of the reason for this lies in how we’ve structured our society’s values, and that structure is shaped by a system that prioritizes profit over people. Society tends to place more value on jobs that require formal education, even though many of those jobs come with massive debt and a lack of opportunities to put that education to good use. Meanwhile, we ignore the essential work that happens every day in communities; work that requires skill, dedication, and, in many cases, a tremendous amount of passion.

This is where the disconnect between gift and pay comes into sharp focus. We undervalue the jobs that sustain our everyday lives. Think about teachers, public works employees, and law enforcement officers; each of these roles requires a great deal of skill, responsibility, and heart. And yet, many of these workers are barely compensated enough to make ends meet. This is especially true when the work is publicly funded, which often leads to the excuse that low pay is justified. But that’s not the whole story. Politicians and corporate executives, who aren’t directly involved in the daily functioning of society, make far more than these essential workers. It’s clear where society places its priorities, and, frankly, it’s a system that needs to change.

For me, true success has little to do with the outward markers of wealth and status that we’re often taught to chase. Success is about having a peaceful life, access to healthy food, being surrounded by loved ones, and the freedom to live in a way that feels fulfilling. It isn’t about a big house, the latest gadgets, or expensive vacations. It’s about peace; living without the constant stress of financial worry. And when you think about it, the people who do the most vital work…teachers, healthcare workers, grocery store employees, maintenance workers…deserve that peace just as much as anyone else. No one who is pouring their heart into their work should be struggling to keep the lights on or working multiple jobs just to survive.

If we could give people the freedom to pursue their gifts, without the constant worry of financial instability, imagine the difference it would make. People would be happier, more fulfilled, and more likely to treat each other with kindness and respect. Right now, many of us are stuck in jobs we hate, jobs we do just to survive. That unhappiness doesn’t just stay at work, it bleeds into how we interact with each other. People who are miserable at work often bring that misery into their personal lives, affecting their families, friendships, and communities. If people were free to follow their passions without the constant fear of financial ruin, we’d see a shift toward more compassion, more creativity, and more joy in the world.

But how do we get there? How do we start shifting our mindset from one that rewards people based solely on their job title or paycheck to one that values passion, dedication, and contribution? It’s not easy, but it starts with recognizing the value in all types of work, regardless of whether society deems it "important." The first step is to normalize the idea that not everyone has to go through the traditional education system to be successful. We need to elevate the value of skilled trades, and we need to start teaching kids that it’s okay to pursue hands-on careers that allow them to contribute to society in meaningful ways. It’s time we shift the conversation from one that rewards conformity to one that celebrates diversity in work and in passion.

I don’t expect to change the world with this article, but I do hope it helps even a few people see things differently. And if that change leads to a ripple effect, well, that’s my small contribution to making the world a better place.