my dad and i paid a visit to my aunty caroline today. she lives in a care facility and when we arrived she was just sitting down to lunch along with the other residents on her floor. as took this time to people watch, something i find myself doing more and more, even though i always tease my mom for doing this, saying it's weird or rude... but i just can't help but observing people, their behaviors and wondering what they must be thinking, or how they feel. if people watched me and thought the same thing "i wonder what she's thinking about?" this is what they would have found...
what would happen if more people gave themselves the opportunity to pursue their passions? what would happen if more people worked in a profession because they really loved what they do, rather than because it pays decently? more so, what if people worked in professions they loved and were really good at?
i was watching the nurses and care staff as they interacted with the elderly and disabled persons living in the care home. it was, in a way, like watching babysitters interacting with children. "mr. r, you have to eat your salad;" "another drink of your juice mrs. a and then i'll take you to your room." at one point a care aid, noticing something on a patients neck, pushed his head back to examine her patient further. i was quick to judge her as being rough and felt compassion for the man. how must it feel to be handled so... un-tenderly when one is so fragile. does this woman love her job? would things be different if she did?
i thought about an acquaintance who just landed a job as a companion for a young disabled girl. she was hired having no experience or training yet a great personality and a lot of compassion. she's going to be good at her job. she is a natural nurturer and really loves working with people. i also thought about my friend britney who lives and works at the l'arche community in saint john nb. she oozes compassion, tenderness, joy and servitude.
so, what would the world be like if everyone could work in a profession because they loved it and were good at it. what if the paycheque was not the motivation? i know this is not realistic. we are a culture dependent upon more money than we actually need and many who do work for love and not for money are impoverish and considered failures in some regards. but what if? would we be a happier nation? would there be less physical poverty? would the most vulnerable be cared forby their family and their community rather than be considered a burden? would our perceptions of success be less dependent upon money and achievements and more dependent on happiness, freedom from oppression and knowing that everyone has enough?
i should visit aunty caroline more often... maybe i would solve the world's problems by people watching!
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