Value

...

value

Definition: Worth, desirability or utility.

I was looking at a friend's photo on Facebook this morning. He's one of three friends I have out there job hunting at the moment, thanks to recession job losses. I know all three of them are struggling to find a new job and yet I also know that all three of them are awesome people who make this planet a better place simply for being here.

Last month another friend took his life. His reasons were complex and probably never known completely, but I do know his new self-employment was limping along and he felt trapped by lack of money... lack of hope.

My husband also went self-employed after he was retrenched. He's also pretty much limping along. I know he's good at what he does and the folk who do hire him are equally impressed, but they're just too few and too far between. I know he's feeling fairly worthless lately.

The last few months I've been browsing the job sites looking at what's out there, which is pretty much nothing in our area. I've been looking for myself as well as for my husband. What I've discovered is that I'm of absolute no value whatsoever. I have qualifications (art) that I've never been employed doing and work experience (library) that I have no qualifications for. Add to that the fact I've never worked in an office, never worked in retail, don't have my own transport and my haphazard health issues... I'm as likely to get a job as be hit by a comet!

I have never felt of less value than I have the last few months of looking for a job and the worst part is that I know I'm not the only one. Through Facebook, blogs, emails... there are so many good talented people who feel they have no value.

There's something so wrong about that!

Look through any newspaper and one thing stands out loud and clear - society values the ability to make money above all else. It doesn't matter if you hit your kids, drink and drive, pollute the planet, lie or steal... From politics to pop stars and salesmen to executives the message is clear - we will value and respect you as long as you bring in the money.

And we call ourselves an "intelligent life form"?

Money is an illusion, as our recent world bank fiasco has proven. I prefer to value people for what they do to make this world better for their being here.

I value those who want to make this world a better place - the builders of dreams and the sellers of hope. These are the people who should be the role models of our future generations. I value responsibility, integrity, sincerity, consideration, dedication and kindness.

What do you value?

...